MIRRORS FOR JAVA LAND

Koran Tempo, Senin, 1 November 2010

RAMAH TAMAH TANAH JAWA, 2010

Human figure in a suit and tie down respectfully. His left hand was stretched wide, and the right hand attached to the chest. Tree down in front of him. Trees and people are impressed saluted one another. But the human head in the form of a shovel, that ready to dredge anything in front of him.

SO HOW Nurul Hayat aka Acil described the situation of the Java community through three-dimensional artwork of newsprint materials called 'Ramah Tamah Tanah Jawa' at the exhibition titled 'Tanah Jawa' in Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, October 27-31, 2010. Acil is being questioned the Javanese amicability, but then the migrants take advantage. “Is that amicability of the Javanese instead of strength or weakness?” Acil said.

The group exhibition that initiated by Arts Liberation Front followed by 38 ethnic Javanese artists featuring 78 works, 13 of them three-dimensional works. “Their hope, people from outside (non-Java) might be able to see the culture of Java with a different angle,” wrote Anton Larenz in curatorial.

Most of the work has passed the technical problems. But the problems arise on the theme of ‘Java’ that traps the artists in Java idioms cliche, like puppet imagery, women with kemben, Java script, till Java custom clothing. Even Djoko Pekik represent his old work entitled 'Detik-detik Jam 00 Tahun 2000', that depicting a crowd in front of the Yogyakarta Palace.

But Acil and most artists going to free themselves from Java idiom cliche. For example, the work of Tri Suharyanto, sculpture titled 'Imagine'. This work is made of resin in the form of a book called 'Nusantara' that propped up a dozen pictures of green shake hands. “I imagine it would be wonderful if the Javanese hold hands, give and take,” he said.

Or also Priyaris Munandar sculpture titled 'Berburu Tangga Surga'. This work is a red painted wooden pole with five spades read five main religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholic, Christian and Islam. According to him, every religion teaches kindness and promise paradise. But, he said, the most important way people can enjoy heaven on earth. “The trick, is keep the balance of earth and heaven energy,” said Priyaris. (HERU CN/RFX)