The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has partnered up with the Indonesian Institute of Architect to appoint architects Avianti Armand and Setiadi Sopandi, along side architectural historian David Hutama, Arsitek Muda Indonesia (AMI) founder Achmad Tardiyana, and writer Robin Hartanto as the curator team in charge for the first ever Indonesian Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale.
The team, selected through a nation-wide open competition, will curate a pavilion that will tell stories about Indonesian experience on building things during the last one hundred years. As the team described, “It is inevitable that our way of building things – nowadays – is pretty much (still) dominated by handy works, through the hands of our skilled and unskilled laborers as well as well-trained artisans. Some utilize intricate and sophisticated tools, but many are relying on the touch of the hands and fingers.“
The theme "Craftsmanship" / "Ketukangan" is perceived as a condition which underline every act of building in Indonesia which in turn defined – unconsciously – the way we design and appreciate our buildings. Tukang (craftsman) is defined as anyone who is involved in the act of building. Tukang can be professionally appointed as laborers, artisans, as well as supervisors (mandor) and contractors. Tukang can also be seasonal or casual laborers - in some case: clients, occupants - who are happened to be contracted or acted as builders, or engaged in the act and dedicated themselves to the work. Tukang also means somebody who is truly committed to his/ her work.
The effort to produce and to create has always been connected with labor, skill, information, and available materials. Ideas and plans which are consciously produced – in the end – will be eventually formed by the incalculable processes, even unimaginable. We might call the results as deviations, anomalies, or even mistakes. But we may also perceive them as surprises, spontaneity, and variants. Here, "Craftsmanship"/"Ketukangan" is an alternative way to humanize the act of working.
"Craftsmanship"/"Ketukangan" brings man closer to material, “through” and “with” hands and tools available to us. It evokes our sensitivity towards labor, materials, natural environment, and all that is concrete, ever-changing, and many. Here, “Craftsmanship/ Ketukangan” can be an economic, aesthetic, and even ethical answer to the materiality.
News via the Indonesian Pavilion Curator Team.
