Galeri Indonesia Kaya Celebrates Third Anniversary With Photo Exhibition
Jakarta. Only a few can afford to watch a performance by top artists, but it has become possible for everyone with Galeri Indonesia Kaya at Grand Indonesia shopping mall in Jakarta, where the best art performances can be enjoyed free-of-charge.
GIK is a public art and edutainment space managed by Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, a non-profit foundation of cigarette company Djarum.
The 635-square meter space on the eighth floor of the mall boasts multimedia facilities to introduce Indonesia's cultural riches and an auditorium where art performances are regularly hosted.
On Monday (10/10), GIK celebrated its third anniversary.
"It's been a truly incredible journey for us and Indonesian performing artists," Renitasari Adrian, program director of Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, said during the press conference.
According to Renitasari, the gallery has hosted over 1,000 art performances by 300 Indonesian artists, with an audience of more than 300,000 people.
For its third anniversary, GIK with fashion designer Oscar Lawalata and photographer Glenn Prasetya, present photo exhibition "I Am Indonesian."
The exhibition at Lobby Shinta and Plaza Shinta of the East Mall of Grand Indonesia, features 100 portraits of Indonesian top performers who have performed at GIK.
Among them are Indonesian conductor Addie M.S., singer and writer Dewi Lestari, keroncong singer Sundari Soekotjo and puppeteer Sujiwo Tedjo. All of them wear white shirts, kebayas and blouses by Oscar Lawalata.
"White represents purity. And white allows the personality to shine through," the fashion designer said.
The fabrics used for Oscar's collection are all handwoven.
"They are all tenuns and batiks, white-on-white. Glenn bought their details out so beautifully through his photographs," Oscar said.
The photo sessions took place at the auditorium of GIK in mid-September.
"It was pretty hectic. It's not easy to arrange sessions for 100 Indonesia's top artists, who are all very busy people," Glenn said.
Each artist was allowed to pose as they liked.
"They're all top performers. They know how to bring out the best from themselves," Glenn added.
Each portrait is displayed together with a quote from the artist regarding performing arts.
Indonesian comedian Aming was photographed while jumping. Underneath his picture are words "stage is everything for me."
Otorhinolaryngologist and dancer, Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik, is pictured while dancing and smiling. The words underneath her picture read "when I'm dancing, I feel history is flowing through my veins."
Indonesian actor Arifin Putra is pictured sitting on the floor and looking straight into the camera. The caption says "stage is a home where dreams are born."
"I always feel at home when I'm at GIK. It's a platform for me to freely express myself and my art," Arifin said after the press conference.
Keroncong singer Sundari Soekotjo is pictured in elegant kebaya and her hair set in hair bun, "art presented with a sincere heart is perpetual beauty."
"I'm very grateful for Keroncong Week at GIK [in April 2015]. I met a lot of young people who expressed their interest in the music and wanted to learn more about it," Sundari said.
GIK indeed plans be more active in introducing Indonesian art and culture to young people.
"Soon, we'll introduce our new program 'Ruang Kreatif' [Creative Space]. It's a series of workshops in which senior artists will share their knowledge and expertise with junior ones," Renitasari said.
GIK also plans to organize dance workshops to teach traditional Indonesian dances.
The photography exhibition will run at Grand Indonesia until Oct. 23.
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