TEMPA’S RESIDENCY IN NUANU CITY, BALI, INDONESIA

 

One day, Tempa was chatting with some friends, and without hesitation, they immediately brought up the topic of residencies. One friend shared interesting information about a residency program for Indonesian artists currently being offered by Nuanu City, at their location. This residency program, located in Nuanu City, Bali, focuses specifically on producing public art outside of traditional spaces.

The application process begins with submitting a motivation letter and an artist statement. Prior to this, Tempa had researched the Nuanu City residency and discovered that they offer various studio spaces as residency locations, as well as a range of workshops, including glass, plastic, rattan, and iron. What caught Tempa’s attention was the plastic recycling program, a concept they had not explored before.

While in Nuanu City, Tempa found comprehensive facilities for exploring art using plastic materials. Their motivation to join was to experiment with new materials and engage in a creative process that allows for fresh ideas. Tempa was also interested in the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside fellow artists.

The residency runs from January 14th to early March. Although each artist has their individual explorations, they often collaborate with other artists in a supportive, collaborative atmosphere. While Nuanu City is still in development, it supports the arts with various programs, including visual arts, music, and performances.
This program involves not only artists but also curators, tutors, and class instructors for discussions that enrich ideas, discourse, and creative concepts. In addition to being in the studio, Tempa also ventures out to seek new inspiration by exploring various locations around Bali.

Interestingly, this residency attracts many artists from different regions such as Bandung, Jogja, and Jakarta. Most of them have backgrounds in sculpture, aligning with the program’s goal of creating sculptures and installations in public spaces. Tempa is the only visual artist with a focus on two-dimensional art among them.

Although this is the first residency for studio artists, Tempa’s diverse background and goals were the main catalysts for joining. The opportunity to share ideas, explore new materials, and create art with an impact in public spaces is a valuable experience for all involved.