The Cage – Media wasted woods

**WASTE>ART by Alif**
Art Exhibition at IDD PIK 2
June 18 to July 15, 2024

As a recycler artist, I have dedicated myself to transforming waste into captivating art. The materials I employ are often sourced from my immediate surroundings, as well as from a variety of locations across Indonesia, encompassing islands, cities, suburbs, and remote areas. Without significantly altering their original forms, I recompose these discarded items, elevating them into new artistic expressions.

In this exhibition, I am proud to present two significant works. The first, titled **”The Cage,”** is crafted from hundreds of pieces of discarded wood collected from home industries in Palembang, my hometown, which is renowned for its wood production. This piece is enriched by contributions from friends across the archipelago, adding a diverse and meaningful layer to the work. In Palembang, wood is still the preferred material for windows, doors, and other structures, resulting in an abundant supply of discarded wood.

The second artwork, titled **”W2A #001,”** is part of my “Waste to Art” series. This piece masterfully combines the discarded wood mentioned earlier with various other intriguing waste materials I have gathered from different parts of Indonesia. The series will ultimately consist of nine pieces, each measuring 1×1 meter and collectively forming a 3×3 meter installation. Each module is divided into four pieces, offering flexible display options—whether horizontally, vertically, or even as separate entities.

**MY FOUR ELEMENTS:**

**1. Fine Art**
My journey in fine art began under the guidance of my mother, who introduced me to the masterpieces of Rembrandt and Picasso. As I progressed through university, I honed my skills and developed a unique abstract style, abandoning traditional images and figures. My work focuses on the three fundamental elements: DOT, LINE, and SHAPE. These core elements are integral to my wood and installation art, where I carefully balance horizontal and vertical compositions to create visually harmonious pieces.

**2. Carpentry**
From a young age, I immersed myself in the craft of carpentry. However, as I explored my artistic vision, I diverged from conventional craftsmanship. My preference lies in creating raw, simple, and sometimes fragile works that embody my distinct artistic style. This minimalist approach extends to my use of diverse materials, including plastic and electronic components, where cutting and joining processes become part of the creative expression.

**3. Architecture**
With a formal background in architecture from the University of Indonesia, I approach my wood art pieces as maquettes—scaled-down models of larger structures. Working with scales such as 1:75 or 1:100, each centimeter in my artwork represents a meter in reality. This methodology allows me to envision and eventually construct monumental labyrinths, inviting viewers to engage with the art on a grand scale.

**4. Sustainability**
Sustainability is the cornerstone of my artistic practice, embodied in my brand WASTE>ART. My work addresses pressing environmental issues by promoting the principles of recycling, reusing, and reducing (3R). Through these efforts, I strive to contribute to a circular economy and move towards a zero-waste future.

In my art, I seek to reveal the inherent beauty and potential of recycled materials, while advocating for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to both art and life. I hope to inspire collectors to appreciate the intersection of art and sustainability, and to join me in this creative and impactful journey.

Through these works, I aim to not only highlight the beauty and potential of recycled materials but also to advocate for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to art and life.

The sustainability of artworks is an important issue. The production process of many artworks may have a negative impact on the environment, such as using a lot of resources and generating pollution. Therefore, the sustainability of artworks should be given enough attention.

In terms of wood artworks, sustainability is also a key issue. Wood is a renewable resource, but excessive logging and illegal logging have led to the destruction of forests and the disruption of ecological balance. In order to ensure the sustainability of wood artworks, measures should be taken to protect forest resources, such as rational management of forests and the promotion of afforestation.

In addition, the production process of artworks should also focus on the use of environmentally friendly materials and energy-saving and emission-reduction methods. For example, the use of recyclable materials, the avoidance of toxic substances, and the use of energy-efficient production processes.

The sustainability of artworks also includes their use and storage. Users and collectors should take measures to ensure that artworks are not damaged or wasted during use and display. As needed, protective measures such as controlling light, humidity and temperature can be taken to ensure the long-term preservation of artworks.

In short, the sustainability of artworks is a comprehensive issue that requires consideration and action from multiple aspects. Protecting the environment, rationally using resources, and focusing on the sustainable development of artworks throughout their life cycle are the goals we should pursue.

Jakarta, June 18 2024
WASTE>ART by alif
written by alif
with some helps and input by Angela and Liu Jiayan