Welcome to another session of “Agung Introduces Bivi to an Artist!” That is, of course, if you’re not tired of this premise already. I’ve always said that, if I were cool, it’s because mylove opens my world to a lot of cool people, places and insights—be it music, art or pop-culture. When you talk about ‘people of the scene’ (or ‘anak skena,’ as Gen Z Indonesians call it), Agung is truly an embodiment of one without ever flexing about it. Me? I’m just tagging along 80% of the time—and getting enamoured in his references the entire time. This is just one of such cases, as we made our way to the mini exhibition and book launching of Ardneks at Dia.lo.gue Artspace. Let’s dive into the vortex!
Welcome to another session of “Agung Introduces Bivi to an Artist!” That is, of course, if you’re not tired of this premise already. I’ve always said that, if I were cool, it’s because mylove opens my world to a lot of cool people, places and insights—be it music, art or pop-culture. When you talk about ‘people of the scene’ (or ‘anak skena,’ as Gen Z Indonesians call it), Agung is truly an embodiment of one without ever flexing about it. Me? I’m just tagging along 80% of the time—and getting enamoured in his references the entire time. This is just one of such cases, as we made our way to the mini exhibition and book launching of Ardneks at Dia.lo.gue Artspace. Let’s dive into the vortex!
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens + iPhone 11 camera
El Paraíso Gráfica
Like a lot of couples, Agung and I always discuss where we’ll be going come the weekend. During our discussion last week, Agung mentioned that one of his favourite artists, Kendra Ahimsa, was having a mini exhibition in one of the most prestigious art spaces in the capital. My initial reaction was obviously to visit the exhibition at some point, despite the fact that we already had a destination in mind for the coming weekend.
Since I also follow Dia.lo.gue on Instagram, their contents on the exhibition happened to make their way to my feed and I saw just how beautiful the installation was—as amazingly set up by Mata Studio, of course. Wouldn’t expect any less from them, to be honest. Quickly, I texted Agung and told him that we should really aim to go to the exhibition this weekend, since it looks really good and I wouldn’t want to miss it—thankfully, too, since it apparently only went on for a week.
Like a lot of couples, Agung and I always discuss where we’ll be going come the weekend. During our discussion last week, Agung mentioned that one of his favourite artists, Kendra Ahimsa, was having a mini exhibition in one of the most prestigious art spaces in the capital. My initial reaction was obviously to visit the exhibition at some point, despite the fact that we already had a destination in mind for the coming weekend.
Since I also follow Dia.lo.gue on Instagram, their contents on the exhibition happened to make their way to my feed and I saw just how beautiful the installation was—as amazingly set up by Mata Studio, of course. Wouldn’t expect any less from them, to be honest. Quickly, I texted Agung and told him that we should really aim to go to the exhibition this weekend, since it looks really good and I wouldn’t want to miss it—thankfully, too, since it apparently only went on for a week.
If you live under a rock (like me) and don’t know Ardneks, let me tell you. Ardneks is an Indonesian artist whose style is pretty psychedelic and reminiscent of the neon-clad look of 80s-90s art. His artworks tend to deliver a surrealist feel by implementing elements from various cultures with the modern touch of pop-culture knick knacks—again, referenced from 80s and 90s culture. The signature qualities of his works include the use of vibrant colours (often incorporating colour blocks), the haphazard placement of visual elements and the quirky typefaces (which usually include non-roman letters). Every illustration will instantly transport you to a realm of its own, reminiscent of great artists like Satoshi Kon, for instance.
Agung has loved his works forever—perhaps since his Uni days—and he told me first of Ardneks when we first started dating. He’s admired him for so long that he now knows little trivia about the guy. For instance, he mentioned that Ardneks is married to Phantasien, another Indonesian artist whose style is inspired by Elizabethan paintings and shares a penchant for vibrant colours with her husband. More trivia will most likely appear on this post.
Citra Pariwara 35 shirt // hand-me-down tank top // thrifted pants // Tiga Mata Sapi tote bag //
ANDiE earrings // gifted shoes // photos of me by Agung
If you live under a rock (like me) and don’t know Ardneks, let me tell you. Ardneks is an Indonesian artist whose style is pretty psychedelic and reminiscent of the neon-clad look of 80s-90s art. His artworks tend to deliver a surrealist feel by implementing elements from various cultures with the modern touch of pop-culture knick knacks—again, referenced from 80s and 90s culture. The signature qualities of his works include the use of vibrant colours (often incorporating colour blocks), the haphazard placement of visual elements and the quirky typefaces (which usually include non-roman letters). Every illustration will instantly transport you to a realm of its own, reminiscent of great artists like Satoshi Kon, for instance.
Agung has loved his works forever—perhaps since his Uni days—and he told me first of Ardneks when we first started dating. He’s admired him for so long that he now knows little trivia about the guy. For instance, he mentioned that Ardneks is married to Phantasien, another Indonesian artist whose style is inspired by Elizabethan paintings and shares a penchant for vibrant colours with her husband. More trivia will most likely appear on this post.
Citra Pariwara 35 shirt // hand-me-down tank top // thrifted pants // Tiga Mata Sapi tote bag //
ANDiE earrings // gifted shoes // photos of me by Agung
Tropicália Muy Saturada
First and foremost, the main objective of this event is actually the launching of Ardnek’s artbook titled Coastal Vision: Heavily-Saturated Tropicália. Quoting the words of the artist, this book was constructed in the dark age (2020-2021) in which he ‘went on an imaginary tour to places that have influenced my work’ and ‘was invited by fictional local radio stations and interviewed by fictional radio DJs.’ The book contains 7 chapters that encompasses his 12 years of artistic career so far. Basically, the exhibition invites us to live inside the world of the book.
Initially, I thought the exhibition would be much bigger—the installation looks bigger in photos—but apparently it was only located in two rooms. One room is the installed embodiment of Ardnek’s artwork, while the other room displays his book and the seven fictional radio stations he mentioned.
First and foremost, the main objective of this event is actually the launching of Ardnek’s artbook titled Coastal Vision: Heavily-Saturated Tropicália. Quoting the words of the artist, this book was constructed in the dark age (2020-2021) in which he ‘went on an imaginary tour to places that have influenced my work’ and ‘was invited by fictional local radio stations and interviewed by fictional radio DJs.’ The book contains 7 chapters that encompasses his 12 years of artistic career so far. Basically, the exhibition invites us to live inside the world of the book.
Initially, I thought the exhibition would be much bigger—the installation looks bigger in photos—but apparently it was only located in two rooms. One room is the installed embodiment of Ardnek’s artwork, while the other room displays his book and the seven fictional radio stations he mentioned.
Seaside Holymountain
Room of Installation
If ever you feel like diving into the world of Ardneks’s artwork, this room will give you the chance to do just that. Beautifully set up by Mata Studio—the master of installations and environment design—this room offers a unique experience of being in a psychedelic world painted in popping technicolour. Although the room is rather small—maybe around 10m² or less—when we walk into it, we will instantly feel transported into a whole other world. One that is a lot stranger, yet more fun. The artist himself was impressed by the result and called it a ‘seaside holymountain-esque space’—which is what I decided to call it too.
On-Air Surrealism
Book Display & 7 Radio Stations
In an open space just outside of the installation room, you’ll be able to find 7 big banners of fictional radio stations arranged in a circle with some boxes and cyllinders—designed, obviously, in signature Ardneks style—in the middle. On top of this construct a book is placed as if on a pedestal and spotlighted to make it look like an ancient manuscript you find in holy caves. What could be more fitting? You’d be able to pick up the book and flip through the pages, by the way. The inside of the book, by the way, is designed in a fitting experimental layout by Jordan Marzuki. Aside from the book, you can also flip through a clear holder filled with Ardneks’s sketches. It’s crazy how neatly done everything is!
You’d also be able to walk from banner to banner and take a look at all the quirky little details of each radio station. If you pay close attention, you can spot numerous little easter eggs in each of them. For instance, Agung told me that the name of the Indonesian radio DJ portrayed—Reno Nismara—is actually Ardneks’s known close friend. He also pointed out that all the DJs names have the initials RN. I wonder if that’s a little nod to something 🤔
While the exhibition was really small and brief, we were glad we stopped by while it lasted. When else can you get the chance to dive into the psychedelic world of Ardneks? In fact, I was so excited to go that I planned my outfit to somewhat match the vibe of his artworks, with the goal to blend into the installation room as if I belonged in such a world. I even matched the earrings to the colours of the world itself—Agung regretted not getting a photo of that. Agung, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction and put on an outfit that is a complete contrast to the whole vibe. I guess, in this way, he played a tourist in this world. That was our little trip to another realm!
While the exhibition itself is now sadly over,
you can still purchase the book here.
Seaside Holymountain
Room of Installation
If ever you feel like diving into the world of Ardneks’s artwork, this room will give you the chance to do just that. Beautifully set up by Mata Studio—the master of installations and environment design—this room offers a unique experience of being in a psychedelic world painted in popping technicolour. Although the room is rather small—maybe around 10m² or less—when we walk into it, we will instantly feel transported into a whole other world. One that is a lot stranger, yet more fun. The artist himself was impressed by the result and called it a ‘seaside holymountain-esque space’—which is what I decided to call it too.
On-Air Surrealism
Book Display & 7 Radio Stations
In an open space just outside of the installation room, you’ll be able to find 7 big banners of fictional radio stations arranged in a circle with some boxes and cyllinders—designed, obviously, in signature Ardneks style—in the middle. On top of this construct a book is placed as if on a pedestal and spotlighted to make it look like an ancient manuscript you find in holy caves. What could be more fitting? You’d be able to pick up the book and flip through the pages, by the way. The inside of the book, by the way, is designed in a fitting experimental layout by Jordan Marzuki. Aside from the book, you can also flip through a clear holder filled with Ardneks’s sketches. It’s crazy how neatly done everything is!
You’d also be able to walk from banner to banner and take a look at all the quirky little details of each radio station. If you pay close attention, you can spot numerous little easter eggs in each of them. For instance, Agung told me that the name of the Indonesian radio DJ portrayed—Reno Nismara—is actually Ardneks’s known close friend. He also pointed out that all the DJs names have the initials RN. I wonder if that’s a little nod to something 🤔
While the exhibition was really small and brief, we were glad we stopped by while it lasted. When else can you get the chance to dive into the psychedelic world of Ardneks? In fact, I was so excited to go that I planned my outfit to somewhat match the vibe of his artworks, with the goal to blend into the installation room as if I belonged in such a world. I even matched the earrings to the colours of the world itself—Agung regretted not getting a photo of that. Agung, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction and put on an outfit that is a complete contrast to the whole vibe. I guess, in this way, he played a tourist in this world. That was our little trip to another realm!
While the exhibition itself is now sadly over,
you can still purchase the book here.