The exhibition displays artworks of artists from Indonesia, Thailand and China, is held at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma from 17 February to 27 may 2007. The aim of this exhibition is to weave old and new, East and West, myths and reality then change and permanence into a rich web in which opposites interact.
The exhibition does not propose an overview. Instead, it offers a considered and focused selection of impressive works of art by artists who deal with topical and relevant issues.
The artists in the exhibition are Heri Dono, Eko Nugroho, Melati Suryodarmo and Entang Wiharso from Indonesia, Chen Zhen, Hu Yang and Yang Zhenzhong from China and Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook from Thailand.
Their works use the methods of Contemporary Art to deal with political issues, individuals at the mercy of the market economy, the parallelism of the spiritual and the material in the world, and the encounter between cultures.
The exhibition Wind from the East focuses on three Asian countries where change has been particularly rapid: Indonesia, China and Thailand. Although they have different cultures, political climates and religions, they all have strongly expanding economies and struggle with environmental and social problems, including human rights issues. Huge populations and mass migration to large cities pose challenges to environments and economies alike.
New biennials, Contemporary Art museums and art centers emerge everywhere, also in Asian area, and the artists with the best international contacts and networking skills are most likely to succeed or win recognition in the art world. Native cultures and Western influences often clash. The collision between strong, vibrant traditions and rapid change may indeed seem like a threat, though it may just as well be an opportunity.
