Page 22 - NAFA Annual Report 2016/2017

poetical state of mind.
works of Handiwirman Saputra,
Jumaldi Alfi and Yusra Martunus

In this specially-commissioned exhibition, these three influential
Indonesian artists were invited by NAFA to showcase their
sculptural installations and paintings. Co-founders of the art
collective Jendela Art Group, the artists are recognised as key
figures in the contemporary regional arts scene. They are also
known for their imaginative ideas and creative use of mediums
to convey meaningful narratives. Some of the works on display
included Alfi’s popular series of blackboard paintings; Martunus’
sand and soil installations; and Saputra’s sculptural objects.
On 28 September 2016, in conjunction with the exhibition, the
Institute of Southeast Asian Arts’ third instalment of the Southeast
Asian Art Clinic, Sensibility in Southeast Asian Works, was held for
students and lecturers of NAFA. The forum focused on sensibilities
in art-making within a Southeast Asian discourse. It offered insights
into the artists’ practices and the conceptual and experiential processes
behind their works. Selected groups of students had the opportunity to
present their interpretations on a chosen artwork in the exhibition, and made
comparisons with distinct works in their respective disciplines of Fine Art,
3D Design, Fashion Studies and Design & Media. On 1 October, the events
concluded with a guided tour led by the artists, which was well attended
by students and members of the public.

Angkor Wat as
Creative Stimulus

The academy-wide project on Angkor Wat as creative stimulus is a joint
endeavour by the Institute of Southeast Asian Arts (ISEAA) and NAFA’s
academic schools. This unique collaboration involved the integration
of Angkor Wat as subject matter into the existing curriculum and
module contents. This expanded NAFA’s academic investigations
of conventional disciplines into the realm of Southeast Asian art
and art history.

Workshops conducted by relevant regional principals, a rollout of
lectures and activities, and an overseas on-location trip collectively
provided resources and inspirations for over 120 students and faculty
members. In September 2016, ISEAA also commissioned Cambodian
Living Arts, a non-profit organisation from Phnom Penh, to conduct
a dance workshop with five invited dance principals from Cambodia.
Over the course of five days, students learnt about Cambodian dance
heritage and were taught choreography from the community harvest
dance, Ploy Souy and the classical Apsara dance. This culminated in a short
presentation, by a select group of students, alongside performances by the invited
principals. Students expressed the spirit of Cambodian dance to audience members,
who were captivated by the movement and gestures of this ancient tradition.

All creative outputs of the project ranging from fashion to architectural models, illustrations and
mixed media installations were exhibited and presented at the Lim Hak Tai Gallery between
March and April 2017.