JAVA – Art Energy

The latest exhibition at the Institut des Cultures d’Islam looks East, to Asia, and the world’s largest Muslim population, bringing together artists whose work tackles the complexity and inherent paradox of Javanese society head-on. They examine the changes in Islam and the rise of radicalism, the over-exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of the environment, the link between nature and spirituality, and the weight of the country’s past marked, as it is, by colonialization and dictatorship.

The pieces on show have been produced especially for this exhibit, or are being shown in France for the first time ever, and are inspired by romanticism, art brut, comics, street art, landscape paintings and psychedelic art. These daring, dark or humorous pieces express the incredible energy and cultural diversity of a region with a vast range of influences.

A multi-disciplinary programme, which refl ects the diversity and vitality of Java accompanies the exhibition. Contemporary music, theatre, modern dance, cinema, literary scientific and historical presentations, activities for the young audience will give to a large audience the opportunity to discover the very best of Javanese contemporary creations without leaving Paris !

“When I was a child, my father told me about his exhibition adventures before sleeping. But I only learned later, in high school, that they would be part of the history of contemporary Indonesian art. »

Zico Albaiquni, artiste invité

“Fascinating exhibition at the Institute of Islamic Cultures, which takes us to the heart of the artistic expressions of the archipelago full of vitality. Thirteen artists describe the complex issues that tug at their country, through strong and vigorous pieces”

Télérama

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