It was then, an idea came across my mind, to make a visual art medium using light switches. I started with an acrylic paint on a 5x7 cm switches. I presented this idea to Mr. Christian as Marketing Manager of PT. Australindo Graha Nusa, and he welcomed it with pleasure. Fortunately, this idea of having a switch socket art exhibition was further approved by Mr. Hironemus as the owner PT. Australindo Graha Nusa, manufacturer of variety BOSS Electrical Accessories.

Upon his approval, I started to approach both local and international artists, from self-taught to college graduates. Finally I was able to gather up 208 artists, 105 people are local artists and 103 people are international artists; from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Japan, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, India, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, USA, Canada, Russia, Poland, Turkey, Serbia, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Egypt, Northern Ireland, Moldova, France, Slovakia, Netherlands and of course Indonesia.

There were varieties of expression on how the artists approached the empty switch surface as a medium of art. Few were having some difficulties in expressing their inspirations, because they were used to larger work surface; while this time they were challenged to paint on a 5x7 cm surface.

Other artists, on the other hand, transform the switches shape into 2-D arts, by adding a couple of elements; such as thread, cloth, wood, feather, and polyester resin. Every artist will add his/her style and identity into his/her work of art, and this diversity is what brings out the festivity of this exhibition. I believed that through this exhibition, there will be others who will develop interesting and exciting new plans.

Please enjoy the exhibition. Many thanks and gratitude to all those who supports this exhibition.

Hadi Soesanto, Artist

Then imagine, Run island in Banda archipelago, Indonesia which had an area of less than three square kilometres. Back in 1616, Run became a part of British colonial; whereas other nine islands in Banda archipelago became the Dutch “ownership”.

So, what has happened after more than 350 years? Run islands is now occupied with no more than 900 inhabitants. Its location which is closer to Darwin (Australia) than Jakarta (Indonesia) made it to remain isolated.

Unique Exhibition

Different feels came when that expression of art was put on moving objects such as car. As a vehicle, car has been associated to people's class. When it is given unique pictures, the car and its owner would improve their social standing.

Different from a more egalitarian switch. There was no class distinction in it. Its value was determined by the house itself. There was not much change on their designs even when they were put on economical house or luxurious house.

In general, these local and foreign artists' works depict artistical shape such as city landscape, mountain, beach and ocean, hill and valley; variety of animals such as dogs, orangutans, horse, lion, komodo, bird, and many others.

The images which are no less popular than eyes are animals' pictures. Hadi Soesanto, Agus Putu Suyadnya, Joko Pekik, Bunga Jeruk, Robi Fathoni, Sigit Santosa, Tjokorda Bagus Wiratmaja, Dang Anh Tuan, Michelle Dawson, Thong Udumpol and other artists made animals as their main point.

Other paintings depict human and became a pedestal on an effort to communicate with the public. Some even made a statue fragment on the frame.

It is given that the addition of things made the surface of the switches to be more attractive. With this, switches became not only a functional object but also gave out a unique beauty that hopefully improved the artistic quality of a room.

Fusion

This exhibition has an advantage that could not be replicated by another exhibition. First, the use of switches' frame that is small has been applied easily by many artists from various regions of the world.

Secondly, painting exhibition consisting of small scale dimension has been performed many times. But in this exhibition, the use of switches frame as the space made this exhibition to be special.

Thirdly, thinking industrially allow artists to not only put the artists on artistic creator but also directed as a subject that produce art objects that is able to accommodate the trend of this industry itself.

Thomas Alva Edison had not thought about artistic elements. He focused on finding metal that could turn electricity to light. What is the artist duty? This exhibition has formulated artistic element to give a touch of beauty, softness and peace to the “wildness” of electricity.

Putu Fajar Arcana
Art critique writer and cultural editors Harian Kompas Jakarta