‘Art Jakarta Gardens 2022’ at Hutan Kota by Plataran

by Runi Cholid
8th April 2022
Art Jakarta returns offline for the first time since the pandemic with a garden concept and advocates for art in public spaces through a collection of contemporary sculptures, paintings as well as NFTs.

As the pandemic changed our everyday reality, more and more Jakartans find themselves gravitating toward the open air. Recent establishments cater to the demand with semi-outdoor designs, while public parks across the city see marked improvements. Into this new landscape, Art Jakarta makes an offline comeback for the first time since 2019 with a concept that embraces the change.

Taking place at Hutan Kota by Plataran, Art Jakarta Gardens seamlessly integrates itself into the restaurant’s sprawling outdoor area. Sculptures and installations of various sizes and kinds — from Putu Adi Gunawan’s table-top ‘Kembar’ to Roby Dwi Antono’s life-sized ‘An Ardent Yearning’ and Aaron Taylor Kuffner’s musical ‘Sayap Sukacita’ — dot the landscape, enriching and, at times, blending with the verdant scenery of Plataran against the backdrop of Jakarta’s concrete jungle.

Beyond that, visitors can also find paintings and additional installations in the exhibition’s indoor space. Boasting a curation from 20 local and international galleries, diverse interpretations of contemporary art sit side by side within the expansive white tents. To mention a few, there is the Museum of Toys collection of offbeat pop-culture-inspired characters as well as paintings from ISA Art Gallery by artist Ida Lawrence that describes her personal journey.  

A new addition to this year’s lineup is the range of NFT art, curated by local NFT expert Evan Tan. Narrating the volatility of the market through a series of tokens from local collectors, the display reveals the industry’s wins and woes, alongside recognisable works from the blockchain world, like a picture from the famed ‘Ghozali Everyday’ collection, owned by the curator himself.

The open-air, green landscape and generous seatings make a visit to Art Jakarta Gardens a leisurely escape from the rush of the capital city. Proposing alternative ways to enjoy art, the exhibition hints at outdoor public spaces being a powerful tool to reach a wider audience, as well as paving the way for art to be a more accessible, embedded part of our everyday lives.

 

‘Art Jakarta Gardens 2022’ will run from 7 to 14 April 2022 at Hutan Kota by Plataran. For more details and booking information, click here.