The Dono Code
until 28 Februari 2010 in the Park Hall (Parkzaal)
Installations by Indonesian artist Heri Dono
From 10 September the Tropenmuseum hosts a retrospective exhibition with works by Indonesian artist Heri Dono (Jakarta, 1960). Dono currently resides in Yogyakarta, and is Indonesia’s internationally best known artist. In his paintings, images, and installations, Dono gives critical and often humoristic commentary on the current political and social issues of his own country. Never before has there been a retrospective of his works in the Netherlands. The exhibition ‘The Dono Code’ will run through 28 February 2010
Heri Dono uses elements from folk traditions known to everyone in Indonesia: wayang plays, the life of the common man, a beca rider, and tau tau images of the Toradja in Sulawesi. Dono combines these elements with images from the collective consciousness. He is inspired by universally famous cartoon heroes such as Flash Gordon. Through collecting material from different worlds, he creates a personal idiom in which image, sound, shadow, and movement enter into direct dialogue with the audience and explore the role of the individual in society.
Dono’s universe
An important feature of Heri Dono’s work is the fact that what is shown never represents a one-dimensional reality. He likes to play with words (a part of Javanese culture), images and ‘fixed truths’. For this reason, people are often represented as puppets, angels, monsters, clowns, and kings. So-called ‘fixed’ constants such as up and down, left and right, man and woman are in constant flux, leading to new relationships. Common subjects in his work are: the educational system in Indonesia, corruption, the influence of mass media, power, and political figures. Aside from paintings and installations, Dono also makes multi-media performances in which current affairs are explored. He, however, stresses that politics is not the most important element in his work.
Preview
Some of the artwork by Heri Dono shown in the exhibition:
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