Liminal Being

Liminal is a term used to describe a condition or state of transition or in a process of transformation. The term is often used in studies of anthropology or psychology. In some mythological stories or fiction, the term is often used with a meaning that is more flexible to describe the character of a creature that is a combination of two simultaneous levels of existence, but differ from one another in a physical body, such as Centaur, Bascelik, Buraq, and Another who attended the various mythological stories. The Embodiment of these creatures in various mythological stories contained symbolic meaning, which generally reflected an affinity between two different worlds and dimensions. They are the embodiment of a pattern of relationships in human life with nature, animals, and especially with other forces beyond the human. The presence of these hybrid creatures reflect the values that trusted by the group of humans, bound, and colored their way of life.

Two forms of existence presented simultaneously in one manifestation is what has become the main idea of this exhibition. A Hybrid reality that represents an unusual condition. The Embodiment of an imaginary creature characters that do not really exist in actual reality is a metaphor for the relationship between human and the cosmic of nature. This hybrid creature character if associated with Gustav Jung’s collective unconscious theory, can be entered in one type of archetype categorization. Archetype is a representation of values in human behavior patterns that collectively binding. When a group of people create characters that resemble an animal as well as humans, in which case it contained a form of confidence in the presence of another figure or other forces beyond mortal can be seen and encountered every day. Where these forces can’t be separated from everyday life of humans. The portrayal of these figure which have some characteristics of the human’s bodies and identities, reflected an interpretation of a kind of forces that can communicate with humans. This is a belief which is a form of spirituality that has developed since ancient time from a group of ancient society. Show a kinship between humans and nature, and also about their origin.

Specifically in this exhibition, the embodiment of humans and birds are present simultaneously in a symbolic meaning. Meaning refers to the symbolic meaning in some cultures that consider the bird as the embodiment of figure messenger, or also the symbol of the human soul. Symbolic meanings are adapted to try to convey an idea about the human desire to relate to nature. Birds and plants in this work are used as a symbol to display a spiritual aura. A peace which refers to the calmness and orderliness of the universe. In this case the artist wants to convey how the peace and order had become one of the important need for human beings everywhere. Something becomes a spiritual issue, if shown a willingness to construct and interpret a relationship with a force that regulates life. These works are a way for the artist to reach a spiritual dimension, a contemplation of the values that transcend the visible reality.

Referring to the term liminal above, this exhibition is about a phase where there is silence for people to realize the values that sets human beings as spiritual beings. Are able to realize the things beyond the visible and transcendent. These works are a form of contemplation of the repetition method. Ceramic itself is transformed out of clay and is never can be separated from cultural meaning. Ceramic as an artifact reflecting the process of creation that involves soil, water and fire, and involving hand skills that is a direct experience with the material, can be interpreted symbolically as a process of spiritual transformation. On the other hand it also brings a tactile aspect of the object as special / unique character. The artists in this ‘Liminal Being’ exhibition, through the works displayed, is able to differentiate itself from the common tendency of ceramic works such as pottery and figurine for instance. Three-dimensional object repetition method works is positioned closer to the works of installation art that comes from the development of sculpture practice. A.Y/2010

Start Time: Wednesday, 5 May 2010, 7.30 pm
End Time: 19 may 2010
Venue: The Japan Foundation’s Hall
Address: Summitmas Building I, 2nd floor Jl. Jend. Sudirman kav 61-62, Jakarta Selatan
Open from Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm
Close on Saturday and Sunday

followed by artist talk and discussion


Curatorial, Events, Exhibition