Expression of Christian Faith through Art of Painting

16 January 2013 Expression of Christian Faith through Art of Painting An object of art is not merely limited to what one can see, but it also represents something more meaningful. Besides, it is framed within the artist's perspective, will, impression, and respond to the reality of faith. (Left-right) Made Saputra, Wisnu Sasongko, Prof. Manlian A. Ronald, Setiyoko Hadi, Elya K. Wibowo S., and Lusiana Idawati. ___ UPH's Visual Communication Design Department of Faculty of Design and Planning held a workshop on 'Expressing Christian Faith through the Art of Painting' on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12). The event took place at the Pelita Gallery, Building B of UPH Campus, Karawaci. The guests included Christian artists-painters who are representatives of SERUNI (Seni Rupa Kristen Indonesia): Wisnu Sasongko, S.Sn., M.Hum. (from Jogjakarta), Setiyoko Hadi, S.Sn. (from Jakarta), and Made Saputra, S.Sn. (from Bali). Lusiana Idawati, S.T., M.M., M.T., and Elya K. Wibowo S., M.A., arts critics and academician from Pelita Harapan University also took part on the event. ___ One of the purposes of holding such an event was to discuss several pieces of art craft from multiple points of view. Wisnu Sasongko, S.Sn. endeavored to elaborate art from the viewpoint of historical humanity right from the Renaissance up to the Reform movement, which is characterized by ardent expression of humanity and frequent use of divine symbols. In the present day, some artists-painters still persist, through their paintings, in delivering the Gospel. ___ Meanwhile, Setiyoko Hadi, S.Sn. dwelled on the symbols of self-denial from the visual expression of Christian faith. Made Suparta S.Sn. talked about the freedom of expression within the scope of Christian art. Each of the three experts made their own respective painting the object of the discussion. Wisnu Sasongko, on his 'Sang Guru' and 'The Crucifixion of Christ', mentioned the expressions of his own spiritual experience, which is altogether introspective and self-denying. ___ Elya K. Wibowo S., M.A., a UPH's academician and art critic, perceives art as a vast field in which its participants, particularly the artist themselves, are influenced by the Christian knowledge and perspective. Her opinion is based on Colossians 1: 15-16. "The words imply the wholeness of every known reality because there is not a single thing in life that goes unrelated to faith. In other words, art is inseparable from faith," explained Elya. ___ An object of art is not merely limited to what one can see, but it also represents something more meaningful. Besides, it is framed within the artist's perspective, will, impression, and respond to the reality of faith. ___ According to Mr. Elya, Christian art has never been merited a place it really deserves to be enjoyed and judged from various study disciplines, without considering that art has its own approach that results in misunderstandings. ___ Considering art as potential medium of contemplation, still according to Mr. Elya, there have been fear and negative opinion amongst the Protestants so that it is only viewed as a tool to accumulate teachings. Therefore, it has restricted people's viewpoint. Art is deemed by the church as an extension of its dogma instead of a sacrament that when one wishes to express the beauty of reality through art that matches their faith, it will not count as a form of worship. ___ Hence, a Christian perspective is critical in either producing or appreciating a piece of art. There is bound to be subjectivity in them, including that which comes from the contributing artist themselves. In conclusion, as stated by Mrs. Lusiana Idawati, the bottom line of the discussion is 'the author is not dead; instead, he is alive'. She agreed with what the previous speakers got to say i.e., God is closely related to art, and how art reflects faith. Both of which are based on Hebrews 11:1, in which one can tell critical virtues such as confidence, assurance, as well as substance. As for the second part, it consists of conviction, evidence, and proof. In the form of a piece of art, these elements are expressed. ___ She also touched on the subject of art and beauty as one that bridges virtue and truthfulness, referring to the perfection symbolizing, in the Christian faith, God Himself. Dean of Faculty of Design and Planning, Prof. Manlain A. Ronald viewed this seminar as the right kind of event to boost the quality of Christian faith and to learn to express it with fear-the-Lord designs. He is hopeful that, through this event, there will be new ideas and views that can enrich the field of painting in Indonesia. ___ A memo was signed at the end of the session between Visual Communication Design Department, on behalf of UPH, and SERUNI (Seni Rupa Kristen Indonesia) that covers the formation of a Christian-based community of painting art, participating in art seminar, and, last but not least, having them guest lecturers in the classroom. (rh) ____

Pameran Seni Rupa Seruni “Akulah Jalan”

Sebuah Eksposisi Seni Rupa, ____ Bagaimana seni menyoroti kehidupan modern yang dipenuhi dengan kompleksitas keterikatan dunia material yang tidak pernah ada habisnya? Sementara dunia modern menawarkan kemajuan, kebaruan, kenikmatan demi memenuhi dunia eksternal manusia, tanpa bisa menjangkau kebutuhan mendasar manusia akan kerohanian. Agama sekalipun kian sulit manjawab tantangan jaman justru karena lekat dengan ritualisme. Problema kemanusiaan tak mampu memenuhi sisi kerohanian dengan yang materialistik ataupun ritualistik. Sebagian orang mencari pemenuhan tersebut melalui jalur spiritualisme dan ada pula yang berani melabuhkan dalam keyakinan imani melalui jalur artistik. Perupa SERUNI, terdiri atas Setiyoko Hadi, Daniel Jakre, Tedianto Handoyo, Wisnu Sasongko, dan Sugiri Wiliam mengeksposisi pengalaman-penghayatan iman kristen yang dibangkitkan dari sebuah petikan Injil Yesus Kristus, “Akulah Jalan Kebenaran dan Hidup” lewat ekspresi seni lukis. Di mana penghayatan teks Injil boleh dimaknai secara personal sekaligus menyatukan keragaman pendekatan antar perupa dan kegiatan ini secara khusus mengundang pemirsa untuk membangkitkan suasana dialogis termasuk kritik yang dapat menghidupi seni sebagai peristiwa. ____ Seni rupa telah sekian lama berada di luar dari tradisi religi oleh sebab pemisahan antara yang sakral dan sekuler, bahkan seni acap kali dicap “berbahaya” oleh karena dapat mencondongkan hati manusia kepada penyembahan berhala. Dahulu seni rupa menjadi bagian penting untuk membangkitkan semangat keagamaan kristen dan telah menyumbangkan kebudayaan Religi di abad Pertengahan yang memuncak di era Golden Age. Pada konteks saat ini keberadaan seni rupa religi berada di dua tempat yang berbeda, yakni konteks seni dalam peribadatan dan di luar itu maka olah religi-spiritualitas seni berada di kancah universal. Pada level ini ungkapan seni berani mengambil jarak demi menilai tradisi ikonik maupun teologis untuk dapat merefleksikan pengalaman spiritualitas dalam bahasa yang universal. _____ Keterhubungan antara seni dan religi merupakan suatu keniscayaan, mengingat kuatnya memori sejarah yang ditopang oleh kebutuhan akan seni reflektif pada masa kini. Yakni seni bisa diisi oleh pengalaman spiritualitas atau bahkan sebaliknya, yakni pengalaman trauma akan religi menjadi kekuatan ungkapan seni. Keduanya dapat sama-sama menyajikan kekuatan ekspresi sekalipun berasal dari sumber berbeda. Pengalaman menghayati iman kristen menyatukan perupa Setiyoko Hadi, Daniel Jakre, Tedianto Handoyo, Wisnu Sasongko, dan Sugiri Wiliam yang pada kesempatan ini menampilkan refleksi tema “Akulah Jalan” lewat berbagai gaya seni lukis. Ada yang mengolah aspek ikonografi ke dalam pendekatan optikal, naturalis, impresif, ekspresif. Ada pula yang intens dalam gaya bertutur visual secara imajinatif. Pameran ini kiranya menjadi sebuah keberanian menyaksikan cinta di tengah apatisme, harapan di tengah keputusasaan, syukur di tengah ketidakpuasan, ada Rahmat ditengah keterbatasan akal-budi. ______ Kritik terhadap seni keagamaan yang bersifat kotbah visual, yakni orang dibuat terlalu cepat mengalami fullness atau kepenuhan untuk menambal ruang-ruang kekosongan jiwa manusia. Memang kepenuhan rohani adalah hal yang paling diingini oleh orang-orang beragama. Kebalikkannya, seni pada masa kini justru menampilkan sisi emptienss atau kekosongan di mana orang diajak untuk meneruskan sendiri perjalannya ke dalam pengalaman sublimasi. Melalui tema pameran seni lukis “Akulah Jalan” oleh perupa SERUNI, menampilkan ragam pengalaman, penghayatan teologis beserta gaya pendekatan artistik sekaligus demi meyakini jalan kesenian ini bisa memberi kontribusi secara khusus maupun lebih luas. Wisnu Sasongko, S.Sn. M.Hum. (Penulis & Perupa tergabung dalam komunitas SERUNI)