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The exhibition of paintings, photographs and sculpture at shopping malls is an ongoing local trend that is said to bring the artwork closer to the public, especially to potential buyers.

At the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, this trend is brought a notch higher with a permanent exhibit area. With crystal facades, attractive lighting and creative store signs, nine out of the 16 art galleries that make up the Indonesian Art Galleries Association (AGSI) bring fresh eye candy to the lower ground level of the East Mall section. The number of artwork on display inside these sleek galleries is overwhelmingly a visual treat.

Andi’s Gallery, Galeri Canna Indonesia, Edwin’s Gallery, Langgeng Gallery, Galeri Mon Decor, Nadi Gallery, Puri Art Gallery, Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery and Vanessa Art Link occupy the various rooms of this new space now known as the Jakarta Art District. The district had its soft opening on Feb. 15 and was officially launched on Saturday.

Although located inside a mall, the forces behind JAD are trying to strike a balance between beauty, creativity and experimentation on one hand and making a profit on the other.

The galleries are currently holding a collective exhibition titled Magainin. Curated by Agung Hujatnikajennong, Magainin showcases creations that span paintings and installation pieces, as well as photographs, fiberglass statues and an art video. These works came about from an experiment wherein 20 artists interpreted noted author Dinar Rahayu’s short story “Magainin” into art.

Afterward, they were asked to compose another literary text based on their own artworks, the quotes from which accompany each of the items on display.

Jakarta has sadly relied on shopping malls to bring together the leisure and business activities of the majority of its residents.

While traffic may not be an issue for art centers in Yogyakarta or Ubud, it certainly is in Jakarta. If getting to and from one art gallery to the next is a big hassle in this city, AGSI chairman Edwin Rahardjo is hoping that JAD would become “an accessible art center that one can easily visit, where we can encounter a variety of art activities.”
Magainin

Jakarta Art District
Grand Indonesia Shopping Town mall
East Mall, lower ground
Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1, Central Jakarta
Through Sunday