Featuring more than 50 local and international galleries, the second year of Art Moments will be held from 17 to 19 April at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel. Photo by Raditya Fadilla/NOW!JAKARTA

One of the emerging art fairs in Indonesia, Art Moments returns in 2020 after earned success for its debut last year. Scheduled to be held from 17 to 19 April, the second year of Art Moments invites art enthusiasts and collectors to discover four new exciting programmes including the exhibit from more than 50 local and international galleries.

This year, Art Moments’ theme “Yesterday Since Tomorrow” is adapted by the concept of the present time as the fair aims to promote contemporary arts during the three-day event. Reflecting the sense of time travel from the past and the current event,  the prospected buyers is expected to explore artworks from emerging and established artists including modern and urban arts.

At the helm of Khai Hori as the artistic director of Art Moments 2020, the organiser has confirmed that at least 50 galleries from home and abroad will be participating at the event in April at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel. Occupying larger space with three different halls around the hotel area, the 2020 event will be featuring Tokyo-based gallery Whitestone Gallery, Singapore-based Art Agenda S.E.A., and Aureo Gallery from Kuala Lumpur. Bandung-based Lawangwangi Art Gallery and ArtSociates are among representative galleries from Indonesia. 

Indonesian artist Mochtar Sarman will be highlighted at the fair taking a spotlight on his series of paintings titled, Victory. During the event, the art enthusiast will be able to the portrayal of famous leader through his artworks including Napoleon Bonaparte and Alexander The Great as well as his work using 3D glasses.

Expecting 20,000 people coming to the events in April, the organiser has revamped its programmes for the visitor, highlighted in four different experiences namely Intimate Moments, Converse Moments, Prized Moments, and Maker Moments. 

Intimate Moment will be the platform for art enthusiasts to have a private conversation with the artist to talk about their related works. In this private session, the visitor will be able to see the performance by artist Arahmaiani.  Art Agenda S.E.A and jewelry artist Seruni are expected to appear during Intimate Moments. 

Conducted in casual setup, Converse Moments will be hosting industry professionals from across the disciplines from artist to digital marketing specialist. Indonesian filmmaker and director of Indonesian box office movie Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (One Day We'll Talk About Today) and doctor specialising in sports and an activist of sexual violence survivors’ support group Lentera Sintas Indonesia. Sophia Hage will be participating in the conversation. 

Prize Moments will be an appreciation event to honor five artists under 30 years of age who will be receiving “Ribbon of Excellence”. Judged by the board of panelist including Khoi Hori himself, President Commissioner at Pakuwon Group and art collector Alexander Tedja, Pasar Seni Ancol art market's director and curator Mia Maria, and art collector Rudi Lazuardi, Prize Moments aims to give an appreciation for the emerging young artist who have achieved major accomplishments and becoming the brightest talents in contemporary arts.

Art Moments also collaborates with Jakarta Sneaker Day as a mission to attract the younger generation to come to the fair in April. In Maker Moments, visitors and art lovers are able to participate in two art-related workshops with Monica Gunawan from the Art Restauro laboratory and workshop on sneaker customisation during Jakarta Sneaker Day 2020 slated on 26 to 29 march at Senayan City Mall. 

Amid travel restriction and outbreak, Art Moment remains optimistic

As major fairs such as Hong Kong’s Art Basel and Art Central have confirmed to cancelled the event in 2020 following the coronavirus outbreak, Art Moments is confident to keep the event running in April. The fair still remains optimistic with the potential visitor as the fair relies more on the Indonesian market which also has a wide base of patrons and collectors. 

With a major number of international buyers coming from Chinese nationality, Art Moments hopes for best for the potential transaction during the three-day art fair in the upcoming month despite there is a major issue on travel restriction. 

“There is a bit downcast with the recent troubling issues, but we hope that things will pick up after February and people will start traveling again,” said Leo Silitonga, the founder and fair director of Art Moments, according to the release. 

Art Moments will be open for the public on 18 and 19 April. The ticket is priced from IDR 40,000 to IDR 90,000 and it’s available to purchase via OVO and kiostix.com and for more information about Art Moments 2020, visit the official website on artmomentsjakarta.com and keep updated to the event by following Art Moments on social media @artmomentsjakart.

Rintang Azhar

Rintang Azhar

Rintang is a previous staff writer for NOW! with experience in hard news and lifestyle journalism. He specialises in art, design, culture, fashion, environmental, and urban issues.