BaCAA #5 Exhibition is Open and Presents Art from Emerging Talents
BaCAA (Bandung Contemporary Art Awards) is one of art awards in Indonesia which also acts as a competition platform for contemporary and modern artists that has been established since 2011. Initiated by Dr Andonowati, the event offers a one of a king art competition from the others. On a press conference held in 5 October 2017 at Lawangwangi Creative Space, it was also announced that the opening exhibition of BaCAA #5 would crown the winners among the 15 finalists. The judges were comprised of local and international experts like Agung Hujatnikajennong (art curator), Carla Bianpoen (art journalist), Wiyu Wahyono (art collector), Susan Baik (art gallerier from LA) and Valentine Willie (art gallerier from Kuala Lumpur). The judges then explained the process of selecting the finalists until announcing the winners. In the midst of it, there was also warm discussion regarding art workers and their relevance of work in front of the press. Agung Hujatnikajennong and Wiyu Wahyono explained that BaCAA aims to stimulate young artists under 40 years old and oversee the growth of contemporary art in Indonesia. “In 20th century, art has taken part in many levels of society and there was an unwritten rule, that 2D art is painting and 3D art is sculpture. Those conventional constraints must be eliminated and this platform could take flight without applying strict rules to the artists. Anything can become art and that could become contextual and conceptual art competition,” uttered Agung Hujatnikajennong.
In the exhibition area, there are already artworks from 15 BaCAA #5 finalists there are bshar Platizsa, Andrita Yuniza, Cynthia Delaney Suwito, Deni Ramdani, Etza Meisyara, Geugeut Pangestu Sukandawinata, Kelvin Atmanibrata, Muhammad Sabil Hibatulfawi, Ratu Rizkita Saraswati, Rendy Raka Pramudya, Restu Taufik Akbar, Ricky Janitra, Sarita Ibnoe, Tara Astari Kasenda, and Yovista Ahtajida. Their medium of art varies, starting from audio visual, interactive art, performance art, mix art, installations and many more. They showcase their own strength and perspectives about their surrounding and human’s life. Social issues, substance, ecology become their choices of topics and we could see how they channel their anger, frustration, and inner thoughts through their art. In the awarding night, Rock N Roll Mafia and Oscar Lolang also performed before finally announcing the three chosen winners to win an art trip, art residency, and prize money. The winners are Etza Meisyara who won an art trip to Europe with her work titled “How Does It Feel To Be A Refugee”. Cynthia Delaney Suwito won art residency in France for her work titled “Holding Breath”. Finally, Deni Ramdani won prize money with the sum of 100 million rupiah with his work titled “Odegrees”. You still could see all the artworks that are exhibited at Lawangwangi for a month from 5 October to 5 November 2017.
Writer: Arya Zakaria/Editor: Novita Widia
