ARNDT annouces the participation of Eko Nugroho and Entang Wiharso at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. Indonesian curators Carla Bianpoen and Rifky Effendy unite with artistic producer Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum to place Indonesia under the cultural spotlight in the 55th edition of the Venice Biennale. 

The Indonesia Pavilion will feature works of contemporary Indonesian artists: Albert Yonathan Setiawan, Sri Astari, Eko Nugroho, Entang Wiharso, and Titarubi, with special musical arrangements by composer Rahayu Supanggah. The artists will present installations revolving around the theme of Sakti, which translates as ‘Magic and Creative Power’.

“Sakti” as the curatorial theme for the Indonesia Pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia is based on its symbolic nature and its aptness in representing the spirit that ties together the Indonesian nation. In the context of contemporary art, the concept of Sakti has been the basis for our curatorial reading of art praxis and has been used as a directive for the aesthetic exploration of the individual artist, who will refer to historical and social aspects as well as the value of local cultural pluralism within the global discourse.

With its overarching concept of Sakti, the Indonesia Pavilion proposes an alternative artistic practice and a new cultural presence in the global art world.

Eko Nugroho will bring installation works that featuring bamboo raft with used oil barrels. This raft will be rode several resin figures with several gestures, several heads and clothes that represent restlessness. This idea uses a metaphor of a boat that drifted in the ocean. Eko sees that what Indonesia people have to deal with, and how they thrived and survived. For him, this is a magical owes.

Entang Wiharso will present an installation work of gate and fence with carvings, semi-realistic statues of humans/personalities and animals such as fish as a prosperity symbol. This work touches reality and perception mainly that connect with perspectives seeing Indonesia. Indonesia’s potency as a society with endurance and adaptive traits from many influences and problems is much related with Sakti.

Image: © Eko Nugroho, taken from www.indonesiavenice.com