Arts Wednesday 18 November 2020

Presented by Bronwyn Rennex

On today’s show I play an interview with co-curators of an exhibition called Indonesia Calling 2020, Felicia Cindyagatha and John Cruthers. Held at 16albermarle Project Space, the exhibition includes works by 30 artists from Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bali and Jakarta. The contemporary art in Indonesia calling 2020 is made in response to the pandemic’s impact on each artist’s practice, community and the country as a whole.

Work by Anang Saptoto from Indonesia Calling 2020

Indonesia is among the 30 countries most affected by the pandemic, with the World Health Organisation confirming 315,714 cases as of Friday 9 October 2020. By presenting a picture of life on the ground in Indonesia, the exhibition aims to raise awareness in Australia and to encourage aid initiatives in any form. All proceeds from art sales will go back to the artists and their communities. Well worth a visit if you are in Sydney.

I also found some fabulous music from Indonesia to play, including Yanti Bersaudara  (which means the Yanti sisters: Yani, Tina & Lin Hardjakusumah), released in 1971 and reissued for the first time, their very spiritual and magical Sunda album has haunting vibes based on a unique, creative and strong Sundanese cultural heritage.

Active only for less than a decade (from the 1960s until the early 1970s), the three sisters originally from Bandung (West Java) sang traditional sundanese songs with beautiful voices & harmonies, creating a trippy oriental exotic psychedelic sound.

Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy the show.

If you want to listen again go to the Arts Wednesday page on the Eastside website.