Q : What is Biennale?
A : Biennale is a grand art exhibition from contemporary artists. The exhibition is intended for the public and art enthusiasts who long for different kinds of artistic expressions of cultures around the world through visual art works.
Q : What is its significance for the city?
A : The hosting of Biennale, as an art event, has been internationally acknowledged as a reference to the level of achievements in art in general and visual art in particular. It is also a benchmark for the development of the city or the nation. This, of course, is based on the mutually impacting relationship between art and the city. A good work of art needs a conducive location to grow. On the city's perspective, the more mature it is the more room it allows for art to flourish. Within this context, the Jakarta Biennale has an influential place to exist and continually develop.
Q : What is Jakarta Biennale ?
A : Jakarta Biennale is an international art exhibition which is held bi-annually. Since 1968, Jakarta Biennale has been held 14 times. The 2009 edition carried the theme of Are(n)a, and this year the Jakarta Biennale #14.2011 opts “Maximum City”.
Q : When was the last time Jakarta Biennale held?
A : Jakarta Biennale #13 was held in 2009 with the theme ARE(N)A.
Q : What about the progress of this year's Jakarta Biennale?
A : The main events of Jakarta Biennale #14 this year will be held between November 2011 and Januari 2012.
Q : What is the theme for this year's Jakarta Biennale #14?
A : “Maximum City : Survive or Escape? “ is a term to describe Jakarta as a dense and crowded city. The residents face two options, which are Survive or Escape?, whether we choose to stay and continue to seek solutions yet occupied with our own ways, or escape from all the congested problems of the city. As an inspiration, the condition of the “maximum city” is a source of provocations and challenges that promises unpredictability. Jakarta Maximum City ; Survive or Escape? has five sub-themes, namely Violence and Resistance, Narcisism, Voyeurism and The Body, Game, Leisure, and Gadget Victim, Metro-Text Seductions, Citizen and Homo Ludens.
Q : What are the programs conducted during the Jakarta Biennale #14 ?
A : In Jakarta Biennale #14 there are parallel events as part of the Minimum dan Medium, which began in July 2011, and some of them are: Blues For Freedom, Taring Padi Book Launching, Mata Perempuan Photo Expo, Scizophrenia Joint Exhibition and Biennale Literature Recital.
Q : Where are the events of Jakarta Biennale #14 located?
A : Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Galeri Cipta II & III, Bentara Budaya, terminals, stations, malls, parks, and other public spaces.
Q : What kinds of art work are exhibited?
A : Sculptures, paintings, performances, installations, video mappings, architecture, fashion, urban art, and many others.
Q : What is the selection process for the artists?
A : The artists are chosen by the Jakarta Biennale curators and the Board of Jakarta Arts Council (JAC). The selection comprised of reputable as well as young and less-known contributors.
Q : What are curators?
A : A curator is a manager that runs cultural inheritance such as galleries, museums, libraries or dossiers. A curator is also responsible for the collections of art in a gallery or exhibition.
Q : What about Biennales in other countries?
A : Venice Biennale was the first of International Arts Exhibition of the city of Venice, or in its initial term I Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte della Città di Venezia. Venice Biennale was an idea that called upon foreign artists to participate in the event based on the decision of the kingdom and under the control of the Venetian City Council. The Havana Biennale involved the people as the organizing committee, boarding hosts for visiting artists, and tour guides in the event.
Q : What is contemporary art?
A : Comtemporary art is 'Art that is made for the present or modern time' (Yasraf Amir Piliang, art observer). So, it is not bound by prior concessions, and develops with the current era.
Q : What are the characteristics of contemporary art?
A : Contemporary art is not construed by traditional forms, and develops with the current era. There are no segmentations among the art disciplines such as painting, sculpture, graphics, craft, theatre, dance, music, and even political acts
Q : What is the common theme for contemporary arts?
A : The common theme is usually issues that are present within a certain era.
Q : What are the examples of contemporary arts?
A : An example is an installation art with carrying a social message. The message can also be conveyed through such works that rely on object composition and manipulation. Agus Suwage's work themed “Dongeng Dari Bumi Yang Resah” (Tales from a Restless World), for example, is a compostion of several paintings that create a new beauty. There is also body painting, where the artists attempt to create new images on parts of the body in the forms of animals, flowers, fruit, and other imaginations. Happening art and enviromental art are among other examples of contemporary art.
