Inkubasi I : Perspective
A Group Exhibition by Young Artists From Bandung
(Chakra Narasangga, Desyifa Sumelian, Fahira Herniman, Wanti Amalia, Yacinta Astari, Yudrika)
Every individual has their own way of viewing what they encounter, whether it be daily activities, frequently used objects, or life concepts held by each person. The question arises: how is this perspective translated into a visual accompanied by a concept, becoming something different?
In this exhibition, Rachel Gallery presents young artists from Bandung. It is not just a visual spectacle but a journey revealing the creative process of the artists. The focus is not only on the final results but also on every step of creation shaping the essence of their art. These artists open a window into their personal views of the world, inviting us to delve deeper into how they observe life through their unique perspectives. The exhibited concepts encourage a profound understanding of how they perceive and give meaning to small details that often form the core of their lives.
Take Yudrika, for example, who, over a year of dedicated work, discovered that the creative process is more than just visual expression. Engaged in artistic creation, Yudrika delves intensively into herself, exploring the deepest corners of her personal identity. Each brushstroke and detail in her work reflects a complex inner journey.
During this creative journey, Yudrika explores new forms, often encountering repeated patterns in sketches. This repetition reflects a deep exploration of recurring motifs, perhaps an effort to investigate and unearth deeper meanings from each element.
Yudrika’s works often showcase intricacies in the form of legs and perforations, marking the journey through space and time in achieving a piece of art. Over this year and the preceding ones, she faced various challenging fears. The fears, initially perceived as obstacles, turned out to be motivators pushing one beyond conventional boundaries.
Speaking of ‘fear,’ Wanti Amelia’s work is also rooted in a bit of fear. Planning a creative project from 2020 to 2025, Wanti was determined to stick to the concept of the sea. Initially inspired by personal emotional journeys, she aimed to explore the boundaries between humans and nature, a manifestation of her life experiences, specifically born in Pangandaran, a coastal area with a traumatic history related to tsunamis.
The traumas embedded in the collective memory of coastal communities served as the starting point for Wanti’s creative exploration. She asked herself, how could she process these traumas into deeper and more meaningful forms of expression? This project evolved into a narrative of self-emotion, telling stories of fear and curiosity she often experienced when returning to her hometown.
Frequent visits to her hometown often trigger complex feelings, where fear of past events intersects with strong urge to understand more deeply. The sea concept became a symbol of emotional journeys, depicting an ocean of emotions that could be calm and beautiful but also bring waves of worry and uncertainty. With this project, Wanti hoped to create art not only celebrating the courage to face trauma but also serving as a medium to convey messages about human strength and resilience in facing nature and oneself.
The ‘fear’ felt by Wanti is shared by Desyifa. If Wanti is afraid yet fascinated by the sea, Desyifa feels the forest also emits its own energy. The forest, initially portraying the beauty of nature, sometimes harbors deep-seated fears. Desyifa, who often visits the forest, witnesses the dynamics involving humans and the environment.
The forest is not only inhabited by animals; it contains various unexpected events that can evoke a sense of mystery. The existence of these mysteries, though hard to believe, adds a new dimension to the forest experience. The forest is not just a physical place but also contains layers of stories and events that stimulate the imagination.
Interestingly, for some, the forest is not just a scary place. On the contrary, the forest becomes a profound meditation medium, allowing individuals to connect with the divine. This perspective contrasts with the general view of the forest as a mysterious and frightening place.
Additionally, local beliefs contribute to enriching this narrative. Many locals pray or ask for something from the forest, believing that the forest possesses powers and energy that can influence daily life. Thus, this discussion is not just about the physical facts of the forest but also about the complexity of the relationship between humans and nature, hidden mysteries, and the variety of perspectives and beliefs that fill this unique relationship.
Then there’s Fahira, who discusses her perspective on the cardboard boxes often seen when someone is on their way home for the Eid al-Fitr celebration (mudik). During this celebration, the shape of the boxes carried by travellers is not only a practical item for carrying belongings but also a container for travel stories. Their journey unfolds through the accompanying cardboard boxes, and a new visual identity is formed through variations in the shapes and designs of these characteristic boxes.
Cardboard boxes are not just containers; they become visual identity variables capable of representing various creative elements. The diversity of cardboard shapes provides accessibility and flexibility in their use, opening new perspectives on the creative potential of this simple material.
What’s more interesting is that cardboard is not just a functional object; it brings joy and pleasant impressions associated with the Eid al-Fitr celebration and the mudik journey. The uniqueness of cardboard that emerges, especially during the Eid period, adds to its appeal, creating an emotional connection with that specific moment. Hence, cardboard is no longer just an ordinary object but becomes part of a colorful and enjoyable journey.
Similarly, Chakra’s artwork concept takes inspiration from a profound reflection on the process of life. Through observations of people around him, Chakra realizes that each individual has complex layers; every detail of their lives holds different meanings. This artwork creation process begins with a small painting on canvas, which is then digitally processed and further abstracted. Analogous to life’s constant changes, flowing from one phase to the next, this drawing reflects the dynamics of change. Each stage is an evolutionary step, illustrating the journey from a simple form to a deeper abstraction.
Ultimately, this artwork invites us to contemplate the nature of movement and processing in life. Like in the process of drawing, there is a force that moves from the subconscious, propelling us forward. This is a metaphor for adaptation and the ability to process owned by every individual, following the flow of change and growing with the never-ending dynamics of life. Thus, this artwork is not just a visual piece; it is also a profound reflection on life that keeps moving, adapting, and processing.
On a different note, there’s Yacinta, whose works delve into Christianity. In the context of Christianity, exploring church history opens up the doors to insights into a complex journey. Although Christianity is one belief, it is divided into three major branches: Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. The primary focus in the early stages of Yacinta’s discussion is understanding the reasons for this division and aspirations for reconciliation.
This division, as expressed, is not only rooted in theological differences but also related to sins considered to cause conflicts within the human body. Yacinta’s deep exploration of personal background experiences and church history brings us to conflicts with the three main branches, forming the backdrop of continuous separation and tension.
Unfortunately, historical processes also note discrimination against specific branches. A fundamental question arises: why does this discrimination occur, leading to separation and inequality among Christian followers? This question becomes a starting point for a profound reflection, inviting us to contemplate our roles in understanding, accepting, or even rejecting differences in the context of Christianity.
Having delved into and understood the concepts presented by the artists, we can reflect on the connections and continuity among the perspectives they offer in this exhibition. This leads us to see it not just as a collection of separate ideas but as an integral part of an evolving and continuing process.
.