Cendera Mata Dari Amerika (Souvenirs from America)

Danarto · 2000-02-27T00:00:00Z

Review of exhibition celebrating 50 years of US-Indonesian relation written by Danarto. The exhibition is reported to be organised by Meridian International Center, Washington. Also reported that at the same time, an exhibition is also held in Erasmus Huis (Dutch Cultural Center) showing "classic" Balinese paintings and an exhibition in Hotel Borobudur showing 105 paintings from 17 Russian painters which celebrates 50 years if Russia-Indonesia relation. Danarto commented that these exhibition being held during an economic crisis could be used as a mirror to reflect on and inquire towards a self-identity. Mentioned that the works exhibited were of: William Matthews (Kingfisher), Cristo and Jeanne Claude (Orange Store Front, Project), Roy Lictenstein (Landscape with Boats), Robert Rauschenberg (LA Uncovered), Jon Meyerr (Ice Mountain), Squire Broel (Words Mistaken for Gold), Jim Dine (Red Passion - which he commented having a sufistic atmosphere), and Yan Hsia (Con Edison Men). Of these works, Danarto commented on each of their style and technique. Danarto also commented that after the performance of Paul Taylor Dance Company in December 1999, this exhibition reminds us again on the role of American culture in developing countries. The audience of this exhibition according to Danarto can be put into three different groups: artists and art professors who enjoys the exhibition as a breath of fresh air, artists who considered the exhibition as having low standards, and scholars saying that the exhibition is Bill Clinton's exhibition of conviviality to Indonesia.