Culmination, a Visual Art Exhibition
Culmination | Calm In Nation, a Sawidji Collaboration. A multi-disciplinary art exhibition from 10th May to 29th June 2024. In partnership with Santrian Art Gallery. Featuring national and international artists and writers. Officiated by Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra. Inaugurated by Popo Danes. Program and curation by Dian Dewi Sawidji Gallery.
Culmination | Calm In Nation, Opens at Santrian Art Gallery Sanur, Bali.
Sawidji in partnership with Santrian Art Gallery presents a multi-disciplinary group exhibition by artists and writers domestic and international. Reflecting on issues that are currently developing around us. Considering and feeling the social conditions within Indonesia today as well as the wider global context. Joining our voices in one goal to share peaceful thoughts and tolerant action. Proclaiming human values, peace, togetherness and mutual respect for each other, with all forms of differences.
Bringing to a point of culmination a wide range of creative voices toward positive impact for the community. Art is a bridge for nurturing peaceful social consciousness. We thank Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra of Santrian Art Gallery, Griya Santrian Resorts for this wonderful opportunity.
Culmination, a Definition.
“Culmination” refers to the pinnacle or highest point of something, often achieved after a process of development or progression. It signifies the point of arrival, completion, or fulfilment, where various elements or efforts converge to produce a final result or outcome. Signifying a moment of resolution, achievement, or realisation.
A Note from the Curator
The exhibition theme revolves around “culmination,” symbolising the peak. It is important to note, we interpret the ‘peak’ as a point of harmony and positivity. Why? Communities across the globe face many complex issues. From the micro to the macro, we feel we are in a time that is even more complex and weighted by more challenges.
As we emerged from years in the grip of a pandemic, we faced unexpected changes. Driven by economic drivers, social behaviours shifted, leaving us navigating a new world of subtle and obvious shifts. Many experienced division, apathy, anxiety and many layers of isolation. Yet despite divisions, strong human connections endured, fostering a sense of kinship and kindness.
Creativity and Compassion
Perhaps underrated, were the creative activities that brought us together. Art became a powerful bridge, connecting us and reminding us of a shared humanity and providing simple joys, with no ulterior motives. In today’s world, where categorization, comparisons and competition often dominate, it is a welcome reprieve to cultivate a simpler and gentler environment. Through art, we can strengthen positivity, share kindnesses, and be enthralled by the joy of discovery and learning.
A Different Approach
Typically, curated exhibitions are structured around visual elements and thematic portfolios, focusing on specific genres. However, in this case, our approach is decidedly different.
We’ve invited members of our community to share their work if they feel they have a positive message for the larger community.The red thread is asking of artists and writers to consider the state of the world, the social condition and offer their work that may be an antidote, a salve or a question as an individual choosing to create for the positive of the wider consciousness.Aside from this, there is freedom. This approach involves risk, a curatorial battle with possibility. But there’s a strong belief that sincerity attracts natural alignment. Our focus does not lie in specific academic categories or individual levels of success but on the common ground of spreading positive energy for the larger community.
Various messages will be gathered through mediums like photography, poetry, and painting, each contributing to the perfect peak we aim to showcase. The goal is to share something positive, resonating with many, leaving a lasting impact. It’s not about proving anything but about the collaborative process of creating and embracing each other’s positive messages, fostering a sense of freedom in artistic expression.
Culmination of Words!
Culmination Visual Art Exhibition is fortunate to have the contributions of many writers imbue our gathering with their profound poetry, stories and reflections. Culmination invited artists to offer works with a message for the wider community, one that inspires peace, tolerance and a kind social consciousness. Our writers shared their stories in the same spirit. Everyone offers their highest ‘peak’ which in turn reveals their deepest message. Cherished and reflected upon by all of us throughout Culmination. Through a beautiful film production directed by Dibal Ranuh of Kitapoleng and the transcribing of these works into Balinese Aksara on Lontar leaves by Darma Putra and Ari Pebriyani.
Upcoming Articles in Sawidji throughout May and June 2024
Below are some feature articles to be published in the coming weeks as part of the Culmination | Calm in Nation Visual Art Exhibition Program. With more highlights from artist and author contributions throughout the run of the event.
The Good, the Bad and our Genes. Roll the Dice Personality Test!
A creative play of chance exploring our human character and behaviours. A concept by writer Eric Buvelot in collaboration with artist Tjandra Hutama. Learn more.
Anarchist Today, Yesterday’s Believer.
Diving into the philosophy, art and collaborations of Agus Kama Loedin. A Dadaistic journey.
The Muddy Waters of Sacred Hulu.
A Return to Hulu with artist Wayan Suastama. A Rejection of false facades. Discussing the true state of cultural and environmental conservation in Bali.
The Power of a Smile
An ongoing journey across the archipelago over many years. A treasure box of a thousand smiles with Dibal Ranuh.
A Gift of Aksara
An ancient gift for our contemporary writers and poets.
Culmination of Words
A curation of literary works by Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi of local and international writers. Read
The Clarity of Abstraction
The path toward harmony revealed through the process of abstraction. Featuring Putu Bonuz Sudiana. Read.
Biophilia. A Welcome Disease.
Featuring a collaboration by Marbella based digital collage artist David Hopkins and street artist Sava ‘Istanbul Larry’. An urban dedication to Nature.
Bruq, Object Reflections. The message in the water bottle.
Exploring the works of Dr. Wayan Sujana Suklu and the pivotal role of art in communities for cultural sustainability.
Flow and Flight. An Elemental Interdependence.
The lessons learned from water and the journey of migratory birds.