Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm

Portikus presents the first institutional solo exhibition by Indonesian artist Ade Darmawan in Germany. Darmawan, who works both as curator and artist, is also a founding member of the Indonesian visual arts artist collective ruangrupa, who deal with social-cultural developments in urban society. In his exhibit “Magic Centre” at Portikus, Ade Darmawan focuses on the eponymous publishing house from Indonesia, which was active in the 1960’s. These were years marked by nationalism and the government propaganda machine of Sukarno, who was president at the time. The “Magic Centre” publishing house was probably best known for publications on how to improve intellectual capacities. Initially, many of the books focused on topics such as hypnosis, the magical arts and the occult. Later, the focus shifted to how-to manuals, motivational books and career planning literature. Darmawan now uses these publications, meant to provide support in various life situations, in an installation that explores this period of upheaval in Indonesia, the growing middle-class and the increasing influence of capitalism.

Ade Darmawan (*1974) lives and works in Jakarta as an artist and curator. He is also director of ruangrupa, an artist initiative, which he founded in 2000 together with five other artists. He studied at the Graphic Art Department of the Indonesia Art Institute (I.S.I).
 

The event takes place at Portikus, Alte Brücke in Frankfurt. -> Website