The charm of Imago Mundi
Artists living in different countries might work in different styles, but when they gather to work together, they speak using the universal language of art.
The Imago Mundi exhibition exudes the beauty of contemporary art created by the minds and hands that embrace different cultures, thejakartapost.com reported.
The event, which opened late in March at Sunrise Gallery at the Fairmont Hotel in South Jakarta, was a result of a global project set in motion by Italian art collector Luciano Benetton two decades ago. His objective was to unite the cultures of the world in the name of a common artistic experience.
Tens of thousands of artists — whether seasoned or up-and-coming — from around the world participated in the project, which showcased the collections and works of art commissioned by Benetton, an avid traveler with a heart full of love for art.
“I am thrilled to see the different cultures in this exhibition finding art as a unifying language,” the director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Jakarta, Michela Magri, said at the opening of the exhibition. on. They proposed to hold this exhibition in the same force, albeit at a larger scale than the initial postcard format.
“Of course I first went to Benetton for permission, which was gladly given,” he said.
Antonius was the man whom Benetton had approached in 2015 with the request to gather 200 educated artists in Indonesia, 140 in Malaysia and 140 in Singapore.
Benetton apparently knew of Antonius’ personal initiatives of organizing an exchange exhibition between artists from Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos.
Antonius obliged, and with the help of the works and print books unique to each country, namely Indonesia: Islands of the Imagination, Malaysia: Colors of Destiny and Singapore: 21st Century and Beyond. The books can be found at museums and relevant institutions.