The exhibition TALI IKAT: Fiber Connections has
been designed to throw wide open all possibilities and tendencies
that are currently being explored in fiber materials by artists
selected for this exhibition. These artists are from varied
backgrounds as are the fiber materials which they are using
reflecting broad and varied concepts not limited to only textiles;
but also shown in the use of other fiber materials such as:
paper, plastic, rafia, branches, tree trunks, thread, grass,
rope, wood fiber, plants and other sorts of things.
Fibers are one of the materials that have been used by humankind
in every part of the world since early civilizations. This
material has been used both to make functional and practical
things as well as objects that form meaningful symbolic statements.
While rooted in traditional communities in many countries,
the use of this medium has experienced continuous development
in relation to the demands of the period as well as the condition
of the local people supporting its production. In this exhibition
fiber art can be seen as a type of fine art medium which tends
to eliminate boundaries between traditional and contemporary
art, so that fiber art can be viewed as a link connecting
earlier periods to this one.
Alternative materials that are used to create these fine art
works, are based on the perception that the selected artists
have a certain attitude towards fiber in their exploration
of the above mentioned materials. The attitude implied can
be found within the context of humanity and its connection
to the environment as well as history, tradition, the community,
nature and many other aspects. The important thing that can
not be overlooked is that artists are able to view fiber as
a medium to bring across their message, so that it is not
continuously viewed merely as a raw material, but as a method
of expressing content.
Fiber material is often used as a format for visualizing individual ideas. One of the aspects in this exhibition is also the emphasis on the expert hand of craftsmanship in the process of achieving the intended works. At the same time this medium has also always been rich with potential for fiber artists to work together, which creates the possiblity for the challenge of collaboration.
In aspects that have already been mentioned, this exhibition will become the medium of interaction as well as the means of debate regarding local as well as global issues in fiber art. Varied 'expressions of language', so to speak, of the participating artists shows a new direction in the development of fiber art.
Artists
Nur Hanim Khairuddin (Malaysia), Hangai Manabu (Jepang), Ugo Untoro (Indonesia), Ann Wizer (Indonesia/USA), Pinaree Sanpitak (Thailand), Dwight Marica (The Netherlands), Pam Gaunt (Australia), Yvonne Koolmatrie (Australia), Mei Ling Lee (Singapura), Ye Shufang (Singapura), John Martono (Indonesia), Biranul Anas (Indonesia), Nia Fliam / Agus Ismoyo (Indonesia), Kiyoshi Naruse (Indonesia / Japan), Tiarma D.R. Sirait (Indonesia), Phillip Boas (Indonesia / The Netherlands), Caroline Rika (Indonesia), Handiwirman (Indonesia), Eko Nugroho / Komunitas Daging Tumbuh (Indonesia), Yovita Meta / Kelompok Biboki (Indonesia)
curated by Anusapati, Satya Brahmantya, Aisyah Hilal, Mella
Jaarsma
Last modified 07-May-2003
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