UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has held an urban art exhibition in collaboration with the local community, initiated by the Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC). As part of the International Convention of Asian Scholars (ICAS) 13th pre-events, the “Ritus Liyan” exhibition is held for a week from May 24-31, 2024. Held in Kampung Plampitan, Peneleh, Surabaya, AIIOC involved the local community for this art exhibition.
This exhibition showcased a different color from typical art exhibitions. The artworks of the artists are spread across corners of the neighborhood and help revive abandoned buildings. This unconventional method becomes the soul of the “Ritus Liyan” activities.
“The unconventionality is perhaps what becomes an important aspect or the spirit of the ‘Ritus Liyan’ activities,” said AIIOC Director Lina Puryanti SS MHum PhD, during a press conference on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Artists tell stories through works
The artists, who have been working since March 2024, displayed a variety of artworks, including photography, videography, sketches, paintings, performances, installations, and more. Peneleh batik community also participated, exhibiting batik with unique Peneleh motifs that depict the activities and habits of the local residents.
“The artworks aim to respond to the daily life and local understanding of the residents of Kampung Plampitan,” said the exhibition curator, Bintang Putra.
Thus, each artist’s work attempts to tell the audience about the life of the local residents in Kampung Peneleh. One such story is presented by Kenny Hartato in his monochromatic sketch. Kenny showcases a sketch of a satay cart, which is quite famous in the Kampung Peneleh area.
“I was captivated by the satay cart, which was made from reclaimed wood from colonial-era houses in Kampung Plampitan. This is a real example of recycling practices now popular among designers,” explained Kenny.
In his sketch, Kenny does not miss a single interesting detail from the cart owned by Mudaih, a satay vendor in Kampung Peneleh. From the cap worn by the vendor, the unique support structure of the sate cart, the rice containers made from rattan, to the satay handfan, despite the availability of more sophisticated tools nowadays.
Kenny, as a participating artist, tries to convey the values of simplicity, consistency, and uniqueness of the satay cart. The other ten participating artists also present meaningful works that tell stories in the corners of the village.
Community involvement
AIIOC, as a multidisciplinary institution, strives to build harmonious relationships between academics, practitioners, and the community. Lina, the director, explains that the acronym “aiyok” comes from the word ‘ayok’ which means an invitation. It is an invitation for everyone to participate, as AIIOC will always be open to various creative alternatives.
“Since its initiation by several faculties with different scientific backgrounds, we believe that knowledge production should not only be on campus but also with the community,” explained Lina.
The relationship between UNAIR and the Kampung Plampitan community, established since 2017, has raised awareness among academics about the village’s potential. What may seem ordinary in the daily life of the urban community can possess extraordinary value from an international perspective.
” We realized that what we perceive as ordinary, when presented as living traditions, can be highly appreciated internationally,” said Lina.
The communal spirit and the close-knit social life of the urban community create a peaceful and clean environment. Even without expensive technology, the social relationships of the urban community form the basis of the “Ritus Liyan” concept.
“From there, we thought, could we possibly find creative ideas from the urban community? Not in galleries or seemingly luxurious places, but in public spaces,” she said.
“So, through this activity, we aim to ensure that the community is not merely spectators but also hosts, actively participating and welcoming guests,” she concluded.
Author: Syifa Rahmadina
Editor: Feri Fenoria
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