“一步一步
Yi Bu, Yi Bu (n, v) Step, pace, stage in process. Walking”
In Collaboration with Bika Living & Escalier Bali
Bika Co:Lab - is a Collaborative Laboratory between Bika and artists/designers. Established in 1974, Bika is one of Indonesia’s leading luxury furniture makers. Their projects portfolio covers residential and commercial projects in Indonesia and beyond. Bika’s soul is forever embedded in the beautiful timber that nature has to offer. Its passion is in the well-made furnishings for beautiful homes.
Escalier - The collaboration between Studio Metta Setiandi and Bika Living Co:Lab is the first of many Artists Series events and exhibitions launched by Escalier as way to engage with local and international artists both in Indonesia and South East Asia. As one of Indonesia’s leading multi-brand resort boutiques, Escalier aims to become ever increasingly present within the arts community.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Titled Yi Bu Yi Bu, meaning one step at a time, this artwork explored my relationship with my Father during one of the world’s harrowing time in 2020. As the world stand to a still, we spent much of our afteroon tea over a game of Xiàngqí ( 象棋 ) in my studio. A moment that I finally able to learn the game from him that turns out to be a life-learning lesson, one that has gotten beyond strategy and game: A Father’s Wisdom
Reflecting over my many years as a multidisciplinary artist, I digged deeper into my preferred themes of legacy, heritage and tradition. With issues like gentrified neighbourhood, passing generations and fading rituals as my main focus, I would like to bring a neutral look onto the horizon and put a light onto the matters through this work
Excavated from the sacred earth of Gayagama Kiln alongside with Bika’s passion as a furniture maker and Escalier’s idiosyncrasy as a fashion boutique, this collaborative effort is inviting an idea, a thought, a conversation with a shared purpose and value. Presenting this as a contemporary representation of our tradition into one that’s soulful, personal and relevant.
WORK DESCRIPTION
The Woodfired Ceramics by Metta
Working with the nature of anagama firing, I would like to present the chess piece as atmospheric as possible. Keeping the carving uncoloured as opposed to the traditional black and red letter as I intended to highlight the beautiful writing by a senior calligrapher Asuk Akwet as a sign of respect of his part in the culture of Glodok (my home, the Chinatown of Jakarta) and also bringing the highlight with issues like gentrified neighbourhood, passing legacy, fading tradition as my main focus of work - I would like to bring a neutral look onto the horizon where everyone could see theirselves taking a role in the issue/game knowing that at the end of the day its a circle of life the moment you took battle out from the table.
Not opponents. Yet. A community. A step. An action. One at a time
“Keeping the carving uncoloured as opposed to the traditional black and red letter. I would like to bring a neutral look onto the horizon where everyone could see theirselves taking a role in the issue/game knowing that at the end of the day its a circle of life the moment you took battle out from the table. ”
“As a maker, tools and senses are partners that can’t be separated. This marriage of the traditional anagama firing with the modern carpentry machine are sharing the same principle, determination and value into each works hoping to transcends harmony out of its perfect imperfections.”
The Wooden Chessboard by Karina
Xiangqi is a game of strategy with equal opponents on each sides with no differentiating color and shapes and the chess pieces are placed on intersecting lines. Unlike western chess, there is one part of the board that interests us the most which is the center part that is called the “River”. The board is created using French Walnut Burl to create the ripple effect of the river and to indicate the border of the space of the two opposing players but also the space of the players and spectators. The middle part uses Figured French Walnut, that creates a directional ripple effect that can only be seen from one direction, thus creating a forward and moving energy that the game possesses.
The Exhibition Escalier at Desa Potato Head Bali | July 31st — August 20th 2022
Event Photography by Irene Insan & Sophia Charles