In a series of ASRI's 70th HARLAH exhibitions, the Faculty of Fine Arts ISI Yogyakarta organized an Art and Nationality Forum, in the form of an online discussion through the zoom meeting platform. This discussion took the theme: Understanding Indonesia, Through Art Education: "The Role, Contribution of Artists, Art, and Art Education in Building a Dignified Indonesia". This discussion forum was also the closing of ASRI's 70th Harlah Fine Art Exhibition, entitled "Tonggak: The Founders and Builders of ASRI". The exhibition, which took place at ISI Yogyakarta's RJ Katamsi Gallery from November 20 to 30, 2020, featured works by the founders of ASRI, the art academy that became the forerunner of ISI Yogyakarta's Faculty of Fine Arts.
The last discussion forum took place on November 30, 2020, starting at 16.00 until completion. The forum was attended by 300 participants who observed the discussion until it ended at 18.15 WIb. The idea of this forum was to bring together various perspectives in looking at art education and art practice in general through the views of policy makers, education implementers, and artists. This idea is related to the establishment of ASRI (Akademi Seni Rupa Indonesia), the first art academy established in 1950 by the government of the Republic of Indonesia. The discussion forum featured Nadiem Makarim, Minister of Education and Culture, Prof. M. Agus Burhan, Rector of ISI Yogyakarta, Dr. Suwarno WIsetrotomo, an art education practitioner and art curator. Representing artists were Butet Kartaredjasa and Entang WIharso. The discussion was hosted by Dr. Suastiwi Triatmodjo from FSR ISI Yogyakarta.
The Minister of Education and Culture opened the discussion by talking about the position of artists in society. In his view, an artist's journey is not an internal journey. Artists must have the courage to present their work to the public. Artists have always been 'influencers', they must know how to find their position in the economy and technology. Nadiem also said that art unites our nation, namely our culture, our art. For this reason, art programs must be prioritized. To get attention, artists must be successful in their art.
Artist Butet Kartaredjasa responded to the Minister of Education and Culture's description by linking art practice to symptoms of intolerance. The minister pointed out that education faces three educational sins, namely bullying, sexual harassment, and intolerance.
The Rector of ISI Yogyakarta emphasized the importance of soft-skills and social skills of prospective artists and artists in art education.
In this regard, the Minister of Education and Culture emphasized the concept of an independent campus, in the sense that artists as intellectuals must be encouraged to the community. The hope is that what has been outlined in the policy regarding independent campuses should not be wasted. The campus must encourage students and lecturers to do 'experience' outside the campus. "It's better to be in the open sea, rather than just being inside", said Minister Nadiem Makarim.
Entang Wiharso, an artist who graduated from FSR ISI Yogyakarta and now lives in America, expects the government to pay attention to art museums. For him, museums are home to the works of the nation's children.
Suwarno Wisetrotomo highlighted President Soekarno's relationship with ASRI in the past, and linked it to the current situation. His presentation emphasized character in art education.
As the finale, Butet underlined the awareness of humility and equal position in communication in art education. The discussion forum was engaging, with enthusiastic audience responses until the end.
Author : M. Rain Rosidi
Documentation of activities
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