SEA PROJECT “Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia 1980 to Now” Public Programs Performance and Talk by Heri Dono + Report of the SEA PROJECT Research in Indonesia

In 2015, the National Art Center Tokyo, the Mori Art Museum, and the Japan Foundation Asia Center teamed up to launch the “SEA PROJECT: Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia - 1980 to Now.” This joint project conducts studies focused on the ASEAN-10 countries, building to a jointly-organized exhibition which is scheduled for summer 2017.

As for the second edition of SEA PROJECT-related events, we are happy to announce the twofold program is organized: for Part 1, performance and talk by renowned Indonesian artist Heri Dono, and for Part 2, progress report on “Now of Indonesian Contemporary Art” by curators who conducted research in Indonesia.

Date & Time

19:00-21:00, September 24 [Sat], 2016

Program Schedule

19:00-20:00
Part 1 Performance and Talk by Heri Dono
Performer: Heri Dono (Artist)

20:10-21:00
Part 2 Report of the SEA PROJECT Research in Indonesia
Speakers: Yoneda Naoki (Curator, the National Art Center Tokyo)
Kataoka Mami (Chief Curator, Mori Art Museum)
Kumakura Haruko (Assistant Curator, Mori Art Museum)

Organizers

Mori Art Museum, The National Art Center Tokyo, The Japan Foundation Asia Center

Cooperation

Mizuma Art Gallery

“SEA PROJECT” Website

https://seaproject.asia/en/
The website is to house essential information so as to include not just “SEA PROJECT” research archives but lists of referential materials based on research on the region conducted to date.

Heri Dono Profile

His works often employ monstrous or even frightening figures that originate in Indonesian traditional shadow-puppetry theatre known as wayang. At a glance, these figures might feel overwhelmingly negative, but when we look closely at the works’ details, comical elements start to emerge. These at times grotesque, at times pantomimic or Pierrot-like figures are analogues of Heri Dono’s socio-political criticism of contemporary Indonesia. They also resemble a parodic reflection of global contemporary politics. This winning combination of a highly intellectual critical sensibility and a humorous, smiling outlook on life has now become characteristic of Heri Dono’s artistic practice, and easily identify him on the global stage as one of Indonesia’s foremost contemporary artists.

Heri Dono “HERIDONOLOGY”

Period: September 21 - October 22, 2016
Venue: Mizuma Art Gallery
Website: https://mizuma-art.co.jp/exhibitions/1609_heridono/