ICAD 14: Unexpected

An immersive interdisciplinary collaboration
By Sharrona Valezka

The Indonesian Contemporary Art & Design, better known as ICAD, returns for its 14th iteration, running from 10 October to 10 November 2024. Initiated by the Design+Art Indonesia Foundation, the annual showcase highlights interdisciplinary collaborations between art, design, and multiple fields, such as architecture, film, fashion, and technology, to name a few. Taking place at Grand Kemang in Jakarta, ICAD 14 features 74 local and international artists spanning various disciplines. The artworks are curated into seven sections: Special Appearance (Tribute), Special Appearance (Region), In Focus, Featured, Special Zone, Collaboration, and Open Call. They are spread across four distinct zones within the venue.

Opening night of ICAD 14 at Grand Kemang, 9 October 2024. Image courtesy of ICAD.

This year, ICAD 14 adopts the theme ‘Unexpected’, inviting artists to delve into present-day socio-cultural and environmental issues and to provide alternative viewpoints to tackle them. On this year’s theme, Amanda Ariawan, lead curator of ICAD, elaborates, “The exhibition takes account of the diverse understanding of this distortion and unforeseeability.” She adds, “At first glance, the theme may refer uniquely to unexpected events that carry a strong impact on our lived experiences. However, beyond that, it also deals with perspectives that are overlooked in the course of our history, due to the dominant and often biased narratives we are fed.” In this article, we explore the highlighted artworks in ICAD 14 and the artists’ responses to the curatorial theme.

Anida Yoeu Ali’s performance of ‘The Buddhist Bug’ at the opening night of ICAD 14, 9 October 2024. Image courtesy of ICAD.

‘In Focus’ features five Southeast Asian artists who voice critical perspectives on identity and politics in the region. One of the featured artists is Cambodian-American artist Anida Yoeu Ali, along with her collaborative partner Masahiro Sugano. At the opening night of ICAD 14 on 9 October, Ali performed ‘The Buddhist Bug’, where she playfully inhabited a sinuous, elongated caterpillar-like costume. Inspired by Ali’s Khmer Muslim upbringing and fascination with Buddhism, the colour of the costume references the robes of Buddhist monks, and the hood resembles a hijab. Performed on the main stage, it created an interactive space between the artist and the audience.

Installation view of ‘But Where Are You Really From?’ by Anida Yoeu Ali and Masahiro Sugano at ICAD 14. Image courtesy of ICAD.

As an extension of the performance, next to the stage was a screen displaying ‘The Old Cinema’, a film created as part of ‘The Buddhist Bug’ series. It provides the audiences with more background and context regarding Ali's body of work. Separately, Ali and Sugano also presented ‘But Where Are You Really From?’, a public art installation made in response  to the facade of the venue. In this work, the artists explore issues of home and belonging, using art as a conversation starter to engage the public.

Another highlight  from ‘In Focus’ is ‘Mutation of Thought’ by Balinese artist Citra Sasmita. Known for unravelling the myths and misconceptions of Balinese art and culture, Sasmita continues to convey these themes in this artwork. Drawing inspiration from the Mahabharata epic, Sasmita uses the narrative as a metaphor for the ongoing exploitation of Bali’s natural and cultural resources by the tourism sector, which obscures the island's darker history and tragedies. The three braided strands of red hair symbolise the Balinese people's right to live and find purification in their native land.

‘Special Appearance (Region)’ shines a spotlight on Borneo this year. It features seven artists and collectives whose works uncover stories of cultural identities across the island. Within the section, Pontianak-based composer Nursalim Yadi Anugerah’s musical piece 'Lawing' sheds light on the kadedek, a traditional instrument native to indigenous groups in Kalimantan. The narrative revolves around a 64-year-old craftsman from Engkurai village, West Kalimantan, who is the last kadedek maker in the Dayak Kebahant tribe. Here, Nursalim tackles the challenges related to the preservation of the instrument, highlighting its dependence on natural resources for production while forests face growing threats.

Installation view of ‘Serumpun’ by Borneo Laboratory at ICAD 14. Image courtesy of ICAD.

As part of a three-year research project, the Malaysian-based creative agency Borneo Laboratory examines the material culture of Borneo and documents it in ‘Serumpun’. This project explores how crafts across the borders of Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sabah connect as a larger ecosystem. The artwork serves as the exhibition format of Borneo Laboratory’s collective publication of the same name, published in April this year. The spatial design for ‘Serumpun’ transforms cut, deformed and printed paper into an immersive landscape within the venue, allowing visitors to walk around, through, and within it.

A.D. Pirous, ‘Catatan Sejarah’ (installation view at ICAD 14), 2003, mixed medium, acrylic on canvas, 200 x 250cm. Image courtesy of ICAD.

ICAD 14 pays  special tribute to the late artist A.D. Pirous, with  ‘Bara Lalu, Menyala Kini’,  presenting thirteen of hisworks, spanning calligraphy, pottery, 3D object exploration, and highlighting  various paper-cutting techniques he used. A notable painting on display is ‘Catatan Sejarah’, in which Pirous showcases symbols and icons in the form of letters—from ancient scripts to the modern Latin alphabet. Each fragment and stroke represents different objects, names, places, and geopolitical events that transpired during his lifetime.

Installation view of ICAD 14. Image courtesy of ICAD.

ICAD 14 is an immersive exhibition that seeks to offer more than just visual aesthetics. Rather than simply displaying the artworks, there are activations spread throughout the month for the public to enjoy, including performances, workshops and panel discussions. With a wide range of artworks on view, ICAD 14 provides viewers with new perspectives on tackling present-day issues and brings attention to lesser known topics, both in Indonesia and the broader region.

‘ICAD 14: Unexpected’ takes place at Grand Kemang, Jakarta from 10 October to 10 November. To learn more and to register to attend, please click here. 

Art & Market is proud to be an official media partner of ICAD 14: Unexpected.