Museum Review : ArtJog 8 "Expanding the Awareness" at Jogja National Museum, Indonesia

In 2022, I had the privilege of attending ArtJog 8, an esteemed art exhibition held annually in Jogja, Indonesia. This renowned event, themed "Expanding Awareness," featured a diverse array of contemporary artworks curated by local artists, including contributions from the disabilities community.

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6/8/20243 min read

Hi there! I'd like to share my experience from 2022 when I attended one of the most notorious art exhibitions held annually in Jogja, called ArtJog (ArtJog 8). The theme was “Expanding Awareness,” curated with contemporary arts by local artists in Indonesia, along with contributions from the disabilities community, resulting in collaborative art that garnered a lot of attention from visitors. This theme marked the third and final in a series of arts-in-community events initiated in 2019, revolving around the themes of “place-time-awareness.” This event usually takes place at the Jogja National Museum in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and has been held since 2008. According to Kemenparekraf, Artjog 2022 curated around 200 art installations for the exhibition.

I stumbled upon this exhibition during my 4-day trip to Jogja, initially intending to visit the Jogja National Museum without planning to attend Artjog. Getting to the museum wasn't too difficult; from the 0km point, you just need to take the west route on Jalan KH Ahmad Dahlan for 1.2km, then take a right turn after Pasar Serangan onto Jalan Prof. Dr. Ki Amri Yahya, where you'll find the museum on the left side of the road. However, upon arrival at the museum, I coincidentally discovered that the annual Artjog exhibition was also being held there. Therefore, I decided to purchase a ticket and explore the exhibition. The ticket cost IDR 75K for adults and IDR 50K for children aged 6-17. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, attendees were required to be vaccinated and adhere to all medical regulations, including wearing masks, hand washing, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, visitors were prohibited from using flash photography or bringing monopods or tripods.

Regarding the exhibition, I found it truly fascinating. The artworks were presented in various shapes, using diverse mediums and textures. As someone unfamiliar with art, typically seeing it conveyed on canvas or through statues, this experience broadened my perspective. It showcased how unconventional mediums could create outstanding artworks, finding beauty in imperfections. These artworks conveyed the message that art transcends age, gender, and social status, serving as a medium for freedom of expression.

One of the most notable art installations that captured my attention was “Kisah Punah Kita” by Sejauh Mata Memandang, marking their first time attending this annual event. They occupied several interconnected rooms, narrating stories about human contributions to nature and the impacts on the future. This installation evoked a sense of sentimentality, highlighting the potential extinction of humans due to our negligence. However, it also conveyed hope, emphasizing how small actions could have a significant impact on our future, promoting the concept of "Slow Living" to raise awareness of environmental issues caused by consumerism and capitalism. The exhibition spanned three floors, with a room on the first floor where visitors could enjoy coffee and purchase unique Artjog merchandise or creations from the artists. I personally bought a tote bag and a lanyard for my corporate ID card.

While the Jogja National Museum may be more modest and smaller compared to MoMA in America, I found it enjoyable and enriching. Unfortunately, since it was a temporary exhibition, it was only available for a short period of time. Overall, it was a remarkable experience that exceeded my expectations. Definitely will come back!