ABSTRAX (ABSTRA-X)

INDONESIA CONTEMPORARY ART

INITIATIVE YOUNG ARTIST GROUP FROM BANDUNG

Indonesian Art History in General and ABSTRAX Positioning

Indonesian Art History in General Indonesia is a country that known as a country with thousand of custom, caused by its archipelago form of country. This customs are related to each traditional identity and life of population on every island, although there are many differences, the indonesian bound their selves together as a country and build a modern custom based on differences, it use to call unity in diversity. The traditional art are including performance (dance, puppets, traditional performance), music with native instrument and traditional painting (as ceiling painting in Bali, glass painting of Cirebon and other) Indonesia was also a colony of imperialism, both from Western (Dutch) and Eastern (Japan). Been a colony of other country, Indonesia developed as modern country and also developed modern art. Under influenced of Western, The Dutch from 18th century, there is no significant development of modern art in Indonesia. Indonesian are introduced to modern painting, paint with oil and using canvas as a painting material. The genre of art that developed during this time is mostly painting of landscape and other beauty of Asian nature, such as painting of native Indonesian with their own custom. This period genre of art than inheritage by many western artist whose lives and works in Bali, such as Rudolf Bonnet. Indonesian artist them self doing many of landscape painting such as Dullah and Raden Saleh. This period only produced what it called tourism art, the mooi indie (the beauty Hindia) period. On the 2nd World War in 1930-40, The Dutch power over Indonesia moved by Japan invasion. At this period their been a lot of significant development of Indonesian modern art together with the rising of many of early art institution under the Japan military. The most significant development was the development of identity as other than the Western, the Asian identity under the Japan emporium (The Light of Asia). The Japan politic of other identity, than summon a consideration of individual existence among some indonesian intellectuals and indonesian artist, this period raised

Indonesia modern art under some artist movement lead by S.Soedjojono, with their jargon of return to motherland or visible soul. On 17th August 1945 Indonesia declared freedom and raised as a republic. The Modern Indonesia Art than develop in two major art institution, first is Fine Art in ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology) which is developed by a dutch man, Ries Mulder in Bandung city (used to be planed as Parijs van Java by The Dutch); and the second is ASRI (Indonesian Art Academy-now became ISI) which developed by Indonesia Government in Yogyakarta after it. And many of art institution than developed by Indonesia Government such as in Bali (ISI Denpasar) and in other region, but among them the top three of art institution is Fine Art -ITB Bandung, ISI Yogyakarta and ISI Denpasar.

The Development of Contemporary Indonesia Art On the early Indonesia nationalism in late 1950 there are big controversy in Indonesia Modern Art, the controversy is about different perspective of the former of Indonesia Modern Art between two early art institution, Fine Art-ITB Bandung and ASRI Yogyakarta. The differences lied on fact that FA-ITB developed by The Dutch, and mistrusted teaching western way and western politic. A critic from Trisno Soemardjo even said that FA-ITB Bandung is a western laboratory because FA-ITB Bandung was known for its abstract art such as cubism genre and expressionism. The conflict decreased in 1960-70s at the same moment of the Young Indonesian Artist raised in Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru Indonesia - GSRBI (New Indonesian Art Movement) with their contemporary works such as installation and art object. In 1980s Indonesia experienced boom in economy under the command of Soeharto regime, the second President of Indonesia. The boom also has impact in Indonesias art scene, and moved abstract art of Bandung to the top and well known in Asia, this boom also effecting nationalism art of Yogyakarta and also Balinese art. After the boom period, Indonesia art scene filled by various genre of art (painting, sculpture, dance, performance, installation, object) and growth with contemporary indonesian life themes.

The development of contemporary art in Bandung became an exception, because after period of 1980s, Bandung art scene has not been well known. There are many reason that caused this; first, Bandung art scene was well known with its abstract art from its establish artist such as, Sunaryo, AD.Pirous, But Mochtar, Ahmad Sadali and Srihadi Soedarsono; and after that there no regeneration of establish artist, the condition is opposite with Yogyakarta and Bali. Second reason is after 80s period, Bandung artists more concern with political issues, the Bandung artists concern with anti-Soeharto regime and produced more installation art and performance and happening art, as shown by artist Tisna Sanjaya, Diyanto, Hendrawan Riyanto, Setiawan Sabana etc. this condition also opposite with what happened in Yogyakarta and Bali artists, which mostly produce painting. Third reason is that the fine art institution of ITB actually an institution under major technology institution (supposed to be like in MIT), so fine art has only been part of the institution, ITB. The condition is not like in ISI Yogyakarta which has been an art institution, in other word, Bandung artists was out of number than Yogyakarta or Bali artists. After the Asian monetary crisis in 1997 and the end of Soeharto regime in 1998, the situation of Indonesia art scene, specially Bandung art scene was really in a bad situation. In year 2000, some student of FA-ITB majoring in painting decided to made a group and performing painting exhibition in Bandung and Jakarta, and in year 2003 the group raised with a name ABSTRAX carrying a mission of finding latest issues on contemporary art of Indonesia

THE ABSTRAX GROUP

History of ABSTRAX Abstrax is a name of a group of several artist graduated from FA-ITB majoring in painting. The Abstraxs name was taken from the well known abstract genre of Bandung. Abtrax is a slang for the word abstract, dismissed from the origin word abstract using X to replace ct. The name of Abstrax considered to be political in identity, showing that the group are from Bandung but not from the old generation, the X letter also showing the young era which is many used now, such as Triple-X, X-rated, X-men and many more. Abstrax group begun to used the name on the group first exhibition in 2003 at Hidayat Gallery Bandung. The members of Abstrax is not always perform an exhibition under Abstrax name, because each artist must be known for their own art and in the future Abstrax only became almamater seem as the school after school. Abstrax group producing mostly painting with more realistic genre with consideration of digital image which flooding every day life now days. The works of Abstrax Group mostly took every day life scene that appeared in indonesian life, specially an urban life. The works mostly look cold, seems without meaning because the works mostly has no tension to political symbol or metaphorical, less with identity. In other word is a-political. The theme and contents of the art works it self is different in each member of Abstrax group, because every artist has their own experience in life and has a personal perspective of art and life.

The Member of ABSTRAX The member of Abstrax at first included 11 person, all graduated from FA-ITB majoring in painting except for 1 person, Dimas Arif Nugroho majoring in printmaking. At present time, the active member is only left 5 person. At the time Abstrax was formed, under the monetary crisis, a carrier as an artist is not supposed to be a good carrier, so several member of Abstrax decided to took another carrier.

The 5 person including names of Dadan Setiawan, Harry Cahaya, Guntur Timur, Iman Sapari and Willy Himawan. The next page showing curriculum vitaes and individual art statements.

Bibliography and Link to Know AbstraX members http://abstra-x-contemporary.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post_6376.html http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2008/03/27/Hiburan/hib01.htm http://contempartnow.wordpress.com/news/ http://sokagallery.com/content.php?id=16 http://www.biasaart.com/trans.htm http://beritaseni.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/kejelasan-optik-menjamin-kebenaran/ http://www.saatchigallery.co.uk/dealers_galleries/Gallery/Mon+Decor+Art+Gallery/17694.html http://www.baliadvertiser.biz/articles/artwords/2005/transit.html http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2007/09/15/errataoptika-heats-artscene.html-0 http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/09/local20.htm http://www.galerisemarang.com/news.php?id=7

Dadan Setiawan
Born September 11th, 1979, Bandung, Indonesia Currently lives and works in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Email: adunstun@yahoo.com Education: 2000 - 2005 Faculty of Fine Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia Solo Exhibition: 2005 - Grasscape, Solo Exhebition, Artnivora Gallery, Jakarta Selected Exhibitions: 2000 TPB Exhibition, Soemardja Art Gallery, Bandung 2003 Believe it Art Not, Soemardja Gallery, Bandung 2004 Neo_Bandung; Seni Lukis Indonesia Via Bandung, ABSTRAX Group, H-Galeri, Jakarta 2005 Seni Rupa Sebagai Media Pembelajaran, National Gallery of Indonesia - #6 Vague, Cultural Center France (CCF), Jakarta Rekreasi, Demokreasi, ABSTRAX Group , Soka Gallery, Jakarta TRANS(it), Biasa Art Space Gallery, Bali - Kuota 2005, Langgeng Ikon Gallery, Jakarta - Tea House Exhibition, Gallery Rumah The, Bandung 2006 Papers on The Walls, Artnivora, Jakarta Milangkala ke-15, Galeri Roemah Teh, Taman Budaya Jawa Barat BANDUNG NEW EMERGENCE, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung - Surface, Gallery Emmitan, Surabaya 2007 West Java Painting Competition Exhibition, GaleriKita, Jawa Barat Bandung Reading Image, Puri Gallery, Surabaya Errata-Optika, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung On Apropriation, Semarang Gallery, Semarang 2008 Survey, Edwin Gallery, Jakarta MUSLIHAT TANDA, Mondecor Gallery, Jakarta MANIFESTO, National Gallery of Indonesia

Art for Dadan Setiawan is

I always attracted by low resolution digital image, as if reality decreased in it, something missing, probably it was the reality it self. I try to paint it, try to catch what is shown partly by the nature reality, like unfinished puzzle.

Dadan Setiawans Works as Referent

Fashion series 3 Medium: Oil on Canvas 100x150 cm

Fashion Series 4 Medium: Oil on canvas 100x150cm

After Affect #2 Medium: Oil on canvas 145x190 cm

Park Series Medium: Oil on Canvas 100x150cm

After Effect #1 Medium: Oil on canvas 140x170 cm

Untitled Medium: Oil on canvas Diptych, @ 170x95,6 cm (image was shrunk to fit)

Guntur Timur
Born May 12, 1980 in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Currently lives and works in Bandung Email: marcelomagadonne@yahoo.com Education: 2000 - 2005 Faculty of Fine Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia Solo Exhibition: 2006 KARACHI GRID, Vassel Gallery, Pakistan Selected Exhibitions: 2001- TPB Exhibition 2000, Soemardja Gallery, Bandung 2002 - "Realitas Absurd", Taman Budaya Jawa Barat, Bandung 2003 - "Metaphor Object", Hidayat Gallery, Bandung 2004 - "Neo_Bandung: Seni lukis Indonesia Via Bandung", H-Galeri, Jakarta 2005 - Rekreasi, Demokreasi, Soka Gallery, Jakarta - Kecil itu Indah, Edwin Gallery, Jakarta - TRANSit, Biasa Art Space Gallery, Bali 2008 - Muslihat Tanda, Mon Dcor Gallery, Jakarta - Manifesto, National Gallery of Indonesia Achievement: 2006 Artist recidency at Univ. of Karachi sponsored by Vasl arts - Pakistan Art for Guntur Timur is

My works always depicting the painted images, Since images has overtaken the concept of understanding the reality

Guntur Timurs Works as Referent

Homage to Modern Canvas #2 Medium: Oil on canvas 180x130 cm

Traveling Without Moving #2 Medium: Oil on canvas 190x120 cm

Traveling Without Moving #1 Medium: Oil on canvas 190x120 cm

Double Mirroring Medium: Oil on Canvas

Watching The Shadow Medium: Oil on canvas Diptych canvas

Homage to Vir Heroicus Sublimis Medium: Oil on canvas Diptych canvas

Harry Cahaya
Born January 24th, 1978, Bandung, Indonesia Currently lives and works in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Email: holopain@gmail.com Education: 2000 - 2006 Faculty of Fine Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia

Selected Exhibitions: 2001 TPB Exhibition, Soemardja Gallery, Bandung 2002 - Proses Kreasi Seni Rupa, Realitas Absurd, Taman Budaya Jawa Barat, Bandung 2004 Neo_Bandung; Seni Lukis Indonesia Via Bandung, ABSTRAX Group, H-Galeri, Jakarta 2006 Formasi, Hidayat Gallery, Bandung 2007 Errata-Optika, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung Top 30 Finalist of West Java Painting Competition Exhibition, Gallery KITA, Bandung 2008 B-INVASION, Canna Galley, Jakarta MUSLIHAT TANDA, Mondecor Gallery, Jakarta MANIFESTO, National Gallery of Indonesia

Art for Harry Cahaya is

"I'm trying to depict the differential state of awareness, which rapidly change in the way we 'see' and 'look' at things...."

Harry Cahayas Works as Referent

Rupture #2 Medium: Oil on canvas 140x150 cm

Untitled Medium: Oil on Canvas 200x200 cm

Rupture #1 Medium: Oil on canvas 140x150 cm

Rupture #3 Medium: Oil on canvas 140x150 cm

Seescope #4 Rev Medium: Oil on canvas 285x145 cm

Iman Sapari
Born January 10, 1980, Bandung, Indonesia Currently lives and works in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia HP: +62813-22-994434 Education: 2000 - 2005 Faculty of Fine Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia

Selected Exhibitions: 2002 Kreasi Seni Rupa, Realitas Absurd, Galeri Taman Budaya Jawa Barat, Bandung 2003 ABSTRAX Group, Object Metaphor, Galeri Hidayat Bandung 2004 Art Experimental, Galeri Soemardja-ITB, Bandung Neo_Bandung; Seni Lukis Indonesia Via Bandung, ABSTRAX Group, H-Galeri, Jakarta 2005 Rekreasi, Demokreasi, ABSTRAX Group , Soka Gallery, Jakarta TRANSit, Biasa Art Space Gallery, Bali 2006 Painting Competition of West Java 2006, Gedung Landraad Indonesia Menggugat, Bandung Milangkala ke-15, Galeri Roemah Teh, Taman Budaya Jawa Barat BANDUNG NEW EMERGENCE, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung 2007 ROMAN BANDUNG, GaleriKita, Jawa Barat Bandung Good Morning: City Noise, Sound Art, Galeri Soemardja-ITB, Bandung Errata-Optika, Selasar Sunaryo Art Space, Bandung Question of Distance, ElCanna Gallery, Jakarta 2008 B-INVASION, Canna Galley, Jakarta MUSLIHAT TANDA, Mondecor Gallery, Jakarta MANIFESTO, National Gallery of Indonesia

Award: 2006 Top 5, Painting Competition of West Java Indonesia Art for Iman Sapari is

same old material within couple hundreds of years, with different source of light.

Iman Saparis Works as Referent

Projected Image Medium: oil on Canvas 150x110 cm

Nocturnal Sunrise #2 Medium: Acrilyc on Canvas 140 x 120 cm

Nocturnal Sunrise #1 Medium: Acrilyc on canvas 120x140 cm

Billboard Series #1 Medium: Acrilyc on canvas 145x145 cm

Billboard Series #2 Medium: Acrilyc on Canvas 190x120 cm

Billboard Series #3 Medium: Acrilyc on canvas 190x120 cm

Willy Himawan
Born February 13th, 1983, Denpasar, Bali Indonesia Currently lives and works in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Email: willy_himawan@yahoo.com Wesite: www.willy.griyabhutakala.com Education: 2000 - 2005 Faculty of Fine Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia 2005 2007 Master Program on Visual Art, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung, Indonesia Solo Exhibition: 2005, Vague at Klinik Seni TAXU, Denpasar 2008, Layer Separation at Artsphere Gallery, Jakarta Selected Exhibitions: 1998, Best work exhibition on painting competition for High School at PKB XX Best work exhibition on PRA KS I at STSI Denpasar Best work exhibition on Dies Natalis V STKIP Singaraja Bali 2001, TPB Seni Murni FSRD ITB at Soemardja Gallery Bandung 2002, Realitas Absurd at Taman Budaya Jawa Barat Galler 2003, Metaphor Object at Hidayat Gallery Bandung 2004, Neo Bandung; Seni Lukis via Bandung at H Gallery Jakarta 2005, Skip at Sanggar Luhur Gallery Bandung Imagining Bandung at Soemardja Gallery Bandung Pra Bali Biennale at Griya Santrian Gallery Denpasar Rekreasi Demokreasi at Soka Gallery Jakarta. TRANSit at Biasa Gallery, Seminyak Kuta Bali Petisi Bandung at Langgeng Gallery, Magelang 2006, ASEAN Youth Camp Exhibition at Orchid Hotel & ICC, Brunei Darussalam Bandung New Emergence at Selasar Seni Sunaryo, Bandung Contemporary Art Festival 2006 at Langgeng Gallery, Magelang The 2006 Sovereign Asian Art Prize, Lane Crowford IFC Mall Hongkong 2007, Reading Images at Puri Gallery, Surabaya Juxtapose at Elcanna Gallery, Jakarta Errata-optica at Selasar Seni Sunaryo, Bandung Petisi Bandung #2 at Langgeng Gallery, Magelang Ilusi-Ilusi Nsionalisme, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta 2008, Muslihat Tanda Mon Decor Gallery, Jakarta Bali Art Now, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta Langgam 11, OKAS Gallery, Bali Manifesto, National Art Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta

Achievement: 1998, First Winner of Youth Healthy Poster Competition held by Indonesian Ministry of Health. Second Winner of Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) XX Painting Competition Third Winner of PRA KS I STSI Denpasar Painting Competiton Best ten of Painting Competition Jawa, Bali & NTB in Dies Natalis STKIP Singaraja 2004, Best Student of Fine Art, Institut Teknologi Bandung. 2005, Pra Bali Biennale Nominator 2006, 30 Top Finalist for Asian Art Prize Sovereign Art Foundation Art of Willy Himawan is

Images constructing my world and my life, trough image of modernism, image of nation, image of the third country, image of civilization even image of humanity, so I paint image, I draw images, making my art trough image and digitalization, for all I called it destiny. But, I need for sure to put my expression, my existentialism on it, and for all that I called it self awareness.

Willy Himawans Works as Referent

Nude Series Medium: Oil on Canvas 150x160 cm

The Sitter Medium: Oil on canvas 80x100 cm

Two Little Girl

Medium: Oil on Canvas 100x80 cm Image below is courtesy of PT. Artsocietes Indonesia

Balinese Woman Portrait Medium: Oil on Canvas 140x140 cm

Surfer Girl

Medium: Oil on Canvas 180x160 cm

Local Tourist Medium: Oil on Canvas 160x130 cm