Governor Anies Baswedan introduces the debut of Jakarta Art Week as a city government initiative to support homegrown art industry and open more spaces for culture and art activities.
In conjunction with Art Jakarta 2019, the collaboration project between Jakarta city government and MRA Group allows people to appreciate the works from local artists in public areas.
During Jakarta Art Week, art lovers could see a variety of contemporary works from 10 female artists along Sudirman protocol road span across 21 bus stops and MRT stations from 26 August to 15 September.
Themed “Perempuan Bicara Seni” (Woman Talks Art), the public exhibition features works from Patricia Untario, Theresia Agustina Sitompul, Budi Asih, Cempaka Surakusumah, Dian Suci, Kalya Risangdaru, Maharani Mancanagara, Ajeng Martia Saputri, Sanchia and Hanggita Dewi. It’s also the first time female artists get recognition in public. These female artists also brings the mission to empower Indonesian women to fight for their rights and manifest their destiny to life in Jakarta.
Governor Baswedan appreciated the initiative from the art communities to establish a public exhibition allowing people to be closer with arts and culture. According to him, public spaces has to be able to create an experience for its inhabitants by inviting local creative minds to help develop this area.
“In Jakarta, we need more spaces like this to express human creations both from art and cultural approach. We don’t want Jakartans to work their lives away without experiencing something meaningful in between those busy hours. Art in public could stimulate interaction within communities,” Baswedan said in the launch of Jakarta Art Week at MRT Station Istora Mandiri.
Baswedan added, that creative products including arts could define the persona of urban life in Jakarta which make the city more beautiful and cultured. Through the appearance at those public spaces, art is also perceived to be more inclusive for all people. As a centre of business, trade, and international hub, Jakarta could show its standards in public eyes through arts.
“The government has authority and fiscal policy. Community offers us creativity. If these two stakeholders are excited with collaboration, Jakarta will be inspired with more innovative and creative solution in the future,” Baswedan gave his closing statement.
