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...]
Gamelan: is it game over?
Can this traditional Indonesian musical ensemble continue to mark the rhythms of human life? Words: Aulia R. Sungkar Photography: M.I. Mappasenge Jetstar Asia Magazine, June 2013 NEW PASSION Despite fears that the popularity of gamelan is fading in Indonesia, Kenthus notices that this Javanese ensemble has attracted more and more foreigners, such as those from the US, Australia and Japan. But will this be enough to keep it going? Only time will tell. Literally meaning … [Read more...]
Visual Story Teller
Text: Aulia R. Sungkar. Photos courtesy of Nicoline Patricia Malina. Published in Jakarta Java Kini, Sept 2012. 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 … [Read more...]
Going Global
Managing director of Jakarta based international auction house enthuses JJK that Indonesian art is set to reach greater heights at the international level. Everyone has his or her own view when expressing the meaning of art. For an avid art collector like Deborah Iskandar, art is more than just the design of objects and artefacts. “To me, art is an appreciation of the sophistication and delicacy of the striking elements of artistic forms such as painting and sculpture that you can enjoy … [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...]
Penny Black
By Aulia R. Sungkar. Published in HighEnd, August 2012 edition. The popularity of the world’s first postage stamp continues to increase with higher appreciation value. While philately offers an esoteric form of investment, it was Sir Rowland Hill who initially proposed the radical reform of the postal system to the British Parliament in 1837. Three years later, in 1840, the United Kingdom introduced the Penny Black, the world’s first postage stamp. May 1, 1840 historically marked … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]