Indonesia | Biennale Jogja XII Equator #2

Launched as an exhibition that represent the dynamic of art practice in Yogyakarta in 1988, Biennale Jogja has now become one of the most robust and consistent visual arts events in Indonesia. The Biennale Jogja works in partnership with one country/region in the equatorial region, with this year's theme of 'Indonesia Encounters the Arab Region' (16 November 2013 - 6 January 2014).

As a flagship exhibition that showcases contemporary art practice and discourse, the biennale has contributed significantly to the dynamic of local and regional art scene in Indonesia and Southeast Asia particularly.

The Biennale Jogja works in partnership with one country/region in the equatorial region. In 10 years time until 2022, the biennale series sets the equatorial locations as its main premise and working area, i.e. the particular geographical areas of earth ranged between the latitudes 23.27° NL and 23.27° SL. In every event, BJ will choose to work with one or more countries/regions as its partner, by inviting the artists and art communities from the chosen partnering countries within the equatorial areas to collaborate, create, exhibit, encounter and dialog with Indonesian artists, collectives, organizations and cultural communities, in Yogyakarta. In 2011 the equator biennale started with an encounter with India in 2011.

The Biennale Jogja XII focuses on the encounter between Indonesia and five countries in Arab region, namely Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Curated by Agung Hujatnikajennong (Indonesia) and Sarah Rifky (Egypt), the biennale starts from a perspective that sees the contemporary art practice as a representation of modes of ‘productions–distributions–consumptions’ that have shaped the cultural globalization.

Held from 16 November 2013 – 6 January 2014, the curatorial premise takes an inspiration from the migration of people and goods, as well as long, historical encounters and exchanges between Indonesia and the Arab region. It will show works by artists not only from Indonesian and Arab regions (by passport/nationalities), as one of the consequences of taking 'mobility' as one of the keywords in the exhibition.

On 19 November 2013, the Equator Symposium takes place, on the theme of "Media, Arts and Cultures: Changes and Challenges in Our 21st Century Democracy". Find out more on Facebook

See List of participating artists in the Biennale Jogja XII

Image: Artworks by Agus Suwage, Social Mirror, 2013