Good evening, assalamualiakum waramahtulahi wabaraktuh, Ladies and Gentleman:

Our Distinguished Mr. Governor, His and Her Excellency Ambassadors and Foreign Representation, Representatives from Cultural Center, colleagues, sponsors, and our Distinguished Guests.

It is my pleasure to welcome you in this international art event, Jakarta Biennale 2009 ARENA

On this opportunity I would like to slightly introduce the Jakarta Biennale. This Exhibition Event was initiated by Dewan Kesenian Jakarta [Jakarta Art Council], (particularly the art committee) started with and as a Painting Exhibition in 1968, in the era of the Governor of Jakarta, Mr. Ali Sadikin, located in PKJ TIM (Pusat Kesenian Jakarta Taman Ismail Marzuki) [Jakarta Art Center Taman Ismail Marzuki]. The event was named Pameran Besar Seni Lukis Indonesia(grand exhibition of Indonesian paintings). Then in 1993 became Biennale Seni Rupa 1993 and the last event occurred in 2006.

In the every other year, this Biennale had special characteristic according to each DKJ management. In this early 2006-2009 DKJ work period management, we invited some art experts to discuss the situation of JB in the current.

The experts who attended this such as: Enin Supriyanto, Farah Wardhani, Aminudin TH Siregar, Alex Supartono, Asmudjo Jono Irianto, F.X. Harsono, Hafiz, Rifky Effendi and Hendro Wiyanto.
Resulting that majority stated that there is still an need of an art biennale that is considered to be independent, capable to present latest contemporary esthetic drift, free from commercial interest and market drift flow, so that it can become the barometer of art development.

Based on that meeting, the art committee of DKJ, consists of Marco Kusumawijaya (architect, landmark expert), Bambang Bujono (art observer, head of the committee as well), Ade Darmawan (artist and lecturer), M. Firman Ichsan (photographer and lecturer) tried to present JB ‘09 with different process. Then DKJ had an open call to some Indonesian curators to give the theme proposal for JB.

Through various thoughts, Agung Hujatnikajennong is elected, as the main curator for the international scaled exhibition, Zona Cair (Fluid Zone), that he proposed. This exhibition will become one “zone” of the 3 zones in this 13th JB, ARENA.

The theme ARENA is a formulation from the board members, especially Ade Darmawan, program and art director to the JB) who has been involving so far in the issues of art expression in the urban society life. ARENA tries to answer the questions about art and city; makes JB more enjoyable and more meaningful for broader community. Therefore, this biennale is started with several art activities that come close to the society through Understanding Zone (Zona Pemahaman) and Battle Zone (Zona Pertarungan), where the creations of the artists, collaboration outcome between art inter-disciplines (architect, graphic designer, photographer, curators, etc), and students that presented in the public areas like shopping centers—to walls, billboards, and parks: A breakthrough that did not occur in the previous JB.

In the other level, JB‘09 ARENA also presents exhibition located in Galeri Nasional [National Gallery] and Grand Indonesia through Fluid Zone (Zona Cair) with the creations material of contemporary artists from various countries: An international-scaled exhibition which helps us to know other countries’ cultures; and more specifically, to see how the world’s art development compared to the Indonesian artists’ creations. I welcome and give a deep appreciation to all artists from various countries who participate in this Jakarta Biennale.

Thus, JB with its international character and specific theme ARENA. Through its activities hopefully can improve people’s appreciation towards art. Then by understanding, raise its tolerance within its own society and others. As well as making Jakarta as an art destination for contemporary art lovers of all around the world. It surely will be a big challenge.

Above all, this Biennale will not succeed without the support from DKI Jakarta Government, mainly to the Governor and the staffs, who have given unbound move and facilities to the realization of Jakarta Biennale 09 - ARENA.

Last but not least, nothing is perfect, so is JB ’09. Yet, all efforts have been done. Our apology for some inconveniences, that may have been occurred. Hopefully, this JB 09 may have an important effect and worthwhile for all of us.

Thank you,

M. Firman Ichsan
Jakarta Biennale ’09 - ARENA
Executive Director