Artotel Indonesia hotel chain unveils its second property in Jakarta following the success of the first Artotel in Surabaya. Strategically located in close proximity to commercial and business districts, Artotel Jakarta Thamrin on Jalan Sunda has recently opened its doors to public. Playing on the words “Art” and “Hotel”, Artotel features contemporary art-influenced designs in the lobby, public areas and hotel rooms. The designs are created by local artists as part of the hotel’s efforts to … [Read more...]
From Warhol with Love
From 12 to 24 September 2013, Sotheby’s Hong Kong will host a selling exhibition of Andy Warhol works, From Warhol, With Love, from S|2 - the private sale and gallery arm of Sotheby’s global Contemporary Art department, offering exceptional works of art through unique and important exhibitions throughout the world. Primarily devoted to the artist’s works on paper, this exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see a wide range of works that act as a window into the mind of the Pop genius. From … [Read more...]
Helsinki: The Design Capital
To the Finns, design is much more than just something pretty – after all, Helsinki was the 2012 World Design Capital. It was no surprise when on a recent visit I saw finessed design elements in rudimentary items from the forksI ate with, glasses I drank from, to chic haircuts and personal street style. They seemed to be designed effortlessly with a bit of fun and whimsy thrown in. “What surprised me the most about my visit to Finland is that Finnish design is not just something that … [Read more...]
Visual Story Teller
Despite her young age, the model-cum-photographer is climbing higher with her artworks that communicate the timeless beauty of her luscious style. In the realm of fashion photography, Nicoline Patricia Malina is one of the very few born to create distinctive photographic artworks. With an artsy flair, she infuses raw and cinematic black and white into her unique aesthetic of photography that features rich colours and impeccable sense of details. Still 27, but the Surabaya born … [Read more...]
Bali & Beyond
Balinese art sees globalization yet maintains its local value Other than having the strong value of local culture and religion, there are foreign elements that have long been infused into the historical quality of Balinese art. Both Balinese artists and the community believe that such foreign influence does not contradict local norms and cultural values. In fact, such a rich blend has made Balinese art colorful. Historically, foreign elements have for centuries been attached to Balinese … [Read more...]
Romance on Canvas
Through the power of art, a variety of colors can mirror love and romance when the romantic feeling of an artist is expressed on a canvas with emotions and passion. Romance is best known as a feeling of excitement associated with love. In fact, almost everyone experiences the feeling at some point in their lives. While love and romance have become fundamental parts of life, art explore the insight of human feelings and experiences. In the realm of art, nevertheless, love and romance have … [Read more...]
Renaissance Revisited
Influenced from many aspects of life, from art and politics to science and religion, artists from renaissance era did not just throw their imaginary talent onto canvas but a convincing appearance of reality. The word “renaissance” is identical with the cultural movement spanned roughly from the14th to 17th century beginning in Florence in the late Middle Ages and later spread to the rest of Europe. It is derived from a French word, literally means revival or rebirth after the everlasting war a … [Read more...]
Going Global
With passionate talent and outstanding skills, Indonesian artists have produced masterpieces potential to bring the Indonesian art into a glorious period at the international level. Auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s have been witnessing the escalating prices of Indonesian contemporary artworks, which are far higher than the initial estimate. Renowned artists such as I Nyoman Masriadi, Rudi Mantofani and Agus Suwage are among those whose masterpieces have fetched hundreds of tho … [Read more...]
Inge Rijanto: The Making of A Great Artist
If it wasn’t because of a call of the heart, Inge Rijanto wouldn’t have been a great artist. And through the means of the human body, the eminent Indonesian painter and sculptor Inge Rijanto expresses her emotions. Her former career as a fashion designer has borne a success of being a ‘know-how’ in drawing and designing clothing. However, as Inge then became aware, clothing is no more than the outer covering that summed up in a human body. And despite the fact that the savoir-faire of designi … [Read more...]
Teguh Ostenrik: IN LIVING COLOUR
Every colour has its own heart. Even the most disliked colour can turn to a beautiful masterpiece through the power of art, according to Teguh Ostenrik. With laid-back appearance, noted painter and sculpture Teguh shows a few of his abstract paintings in his studio. “Every colour has the beauty to contribute to the colourful world in which we all live.” His paintings reflect his keen on playing with colours. The paintings’ translucent layers of facial expressions create the sense of moving … [Read more...]