The Irony of Being

The end of the year is at our doorstep with its round of festivities and celebrations. Those who know the Christmas frenzy perhaps can appreciate just how ironic the world has always been. In Bali, there are no exemptions of any kind that take the intensity of the holiday season closer to a reasonable degree of sanity. The international destination is a melting pot of the wonderful, absurd and devastating all at once.

The art scene is no different. It is a parade of festivals, events and exhibitions. An anthem of individual authenticities. Timed perfectly to optimise the rush of international traffic that has journeyed here to enjoy some respite from perhaps simply… routine. A flood of runaways. Escaping deliberately chosen routines. Into another environment, land, and set of feelings that serves as a welcome reminder that they are, in fact, free and adventurous.

Irony of Being at Biji Art Space

As though that isn’t enough, amidst all of this, we throw in another exhibition. Taking place at Biji Art Space in Ubud this December, bringing an unconventional threesome onto a stage together. Perhaps a more pertinent point is to note the ‘character’ of the three artists are particularly autonomous, even solitary.

There are some trending keywords in the art world—‘collaboration,’ ‘community,’ ‘happening,’ and ‘action art.’ These trends exist for a reason, as they reflect a deep sense of experimentation and exploration. However, it’s worth considering that not every use of these terms is as genuine as it might seem. Collaborations often aren’t as collaborative as they’re made out to be, ‘community’ can sometimes be a mere marketing buzzword, and ‘happening’ or ‘action’ art might not be as dynamic as it sounds. What begins as a journey of critical thought can quickly lead us into a philosophical maze. This is the beautiful, hidden irony at play, much like the contents of Pandora’s Box.

The dialogues that have emerged from the three artists through ‘Irony of Being’ have sparked interest and engagement in different communities. Irony of Being a topic of discussion was presented on one of Dapur Usada’s cultural offering evenings. The conversations only serve to assure us that, indeed, we are all swept in an ironical reality, coping with different degrees of sensibility amidst the increasingly absurd.

Experimentation and Hardship

As the preparations for the exhibition continued, we uncovered even more layers of irony. Art and culture enthusiast Putu Suasta states that to be a successful artist, one must push beyond personal boundaries. That the symbol of irony is within our own lives right now. The demands of modern life are increasing, but the ways in which to meet them are becoming more difficult.

A Collaboration of Non-Conformity

What does this have to do with the three artists participating in the group exhibition titled ‘Irony of Being’? Everything. These artists are as individual and non-conformist as they come, each in their own unique way. They possess strong—albeit stubborn—personalities and a deep commitment to critical thinking. They are friends, and, by the grace of good timing, they chose to collaborate on this exhibition. The shared language of irony they speak is not an invention, but a revelation.

Loka Suara, an Ironical Icon.

Loka Suara, first of all, has a particularly poetic name, meaning “place” and “sound.” Ironically, he is known to be the quiet type. While his name suggests he is talkative, in reality, he is often “Loka” without the “Suara.” We became more familiar with Loka Suara when we wrote about his solo exhibition ‘Shades of Stone in Love’ at Maya Gallery in Sanur. In this exhibition, he explored themes of love through the lens of stone. Each piece was an intimate and surprising study, not just on love or stone, but on the human condition itself—capturing both its frivolity and its integrity.

Little People in a Big World

Uuk Paramahita’s work, on the other hand, with an innocent straightforwardness, are paintings containing a world of little people navigating what seems to be their paths, each telling their stories. Rich with a visual plot that we can explore, they resemble a maze of colours and lines that invite us to dig into each little world.

The Ironic Plot Thickens

When brought together on one table? It was a short few minutes before the ironies strongly present in each of their process became screamingly clear.  They explore something that interrelates together beautifully. Loka addresses the character figuratively, addressing the person. Uuk’s Little People tells stories of one’s interrelationship with society and the world at large, whilst Agus Kama Loedin explores theological, cultural and philosophical concepts through his wires. We have the individual being, the social being and the spiritual being.

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