Show Case Jakarta 32°C
Senayan City
1-7 February 2009
Jakarta 32°c is a student forum that displays the latest visual works of students from various universities in Jakarta. Since 2004, this event takes place every two years. Organized by ruangrupa, a contemporary art organization in Jakarta with a number of students calling themselves Komplotan Jakarta 32°c, this event features a number of programs, namely exhibitions, workshops, discussions, artist talks, performance arts, and film and video screenings.
Show Case Jakarta 32°c this time is an exhibition of the best works from Jakarta 32°c in 2004, 2006, and 2008, which was held in Senayan City as part of the Battle Zone Program, one of three programs in ARENA: Jakarta Biennale XIII 2009 organized by the Jakarta Arts Council.
Jakarta 32°c was first held in response to the lack of dialogue between Jakarta students to present their visual works to the wider public. Previously, exhibitions of student visual works were only held inside their respective campuses. There is no criticism and seeding of meaningful ideas between students and teachers. These exhibitions also did not invite visitors, both from other campus students and the wider public.
This event was initiated at the end of 2003 by ruangrupa and a number of students from a number of campuses who later named themselves Komplotan Jakarta 32°c. The first Jakarta 32°c exhibition in 2004 was well received by the students. They can present their work, compete fairly, and create inter-campus networks in terms of creative ideas. Jakarta 32°c was then designed to be held every two years.
For 6 years running, Jakarta 32°c has been held three times, namely in 2004, 2006, and 2008. This event has generated enthusiasm from many circles. Not only bringing young people to the National Gallery of Indonesia which has been the location of the event, but also the enthusiasm of students, the mass media, and the wider public which is actually the main goal of this event.
This time, Jakarta 32°c was specially exhibited, moved to a wider public space, from the art gallery to Senayan City. The existence of Jakarta 32°c so far as a battle arena for Jakarta students’ visual works, it is very important to be included in the Battle Zone Program, a program that aims to create new spaces, both physical space and space for ideas on public space problems in Jakarta. ; which in this case is a space for the seeding of ideas for Jakarta students who create visual works.
This special exhibition is expected to expand information about Jakarta 32°c. That Jakarta students from various disciplines who work visually, can meet each other in Jakarta next 32°c, for a healthy fight, and share their best works every two years. That visual works can be produced from artistically strong ideas and criticisms by anyone. That a healthy fighting room still exists in the midst of the hustle and bustle of industry and commercial that students will encounter after their studies. Ideas can continue to live without being limited by spaces, and it is very important to create a separate space where the seeding of ideas can be done first.
Ardi Yunanto & Andy Tidjels
Curator & Coordinator of Show Case Jakarta 32°c