JAKARTA – The Connected Art Platform (CAP) recently announced the winners of the J+Art Awards 2026 at RUCI Art Space in Jakarta. This annual program celebrated selected artworks under the central theme of MIRAGE. Furthermore, the organizer brought together artists, innovators, collectors, media partners, and art lovers in one vibrant space.
According to CAP Co-Founder Mona Liem, the organizers created this competition to open broad opportunities for both local and international creators. In addition, this year’s edition introduced a brand-new student category to inspire younger talents. Prestigious judges from universities, museums, and art galleries evaluated the submissions, including special guest judges from Qatar Museums who attended the final ceremony.
Sound, Power, and Critical Grand Prize
Artist Mira Rizki earned the top J+Grand Prize for her thought-provoking installation titled PAK!PAK. Her artwork explores the strong relationship between political power and promises of public development.
Specifically, she used audio snippets from official speeches about national strategic projects. She chopped these speech recordings into small sentences and repeated them over powerful speakers. Consequently, the sound vibrations shake physical layers of soil, cement, sulfur from Tangkuban Perahu, and sand from Pangandaran Beach. Clear pine rosin then captures these movements and turns them into transparent solid objects. Through this unique technique, the ITB graduate critiques recent social and political conditions in Indonesia.
Preserving Cultural Identity through Textiles
Meanwhile, artist Dwiky Aditya from Tasikmalaya received the Impact Award for his artwork titled Sésa Raga. His installation focuses on traditional textiles as key elements of ancestral identity and knowledge.
However, he observes that modern society slowly forgets the original meaning and context of these cultural symbols. Therefore, he combines traditional motifs, local materials, and craft techniques to portray a rich cultural heritage that struggles to keep its voice today.
Merging AI, Robotics, and Human Motion
Innovation also took center stage during the awards night. Creators Thalia Halim and Samuel Alexander won the Innovation Award with their project RoboPainting – Flowers. This kinetic installation blends traditional painting, custom robotics, 3D printing mechanisms, and edge artificial intelligence.
As a result, the machine responds directly to visitors by shifting from a closed shape into an expansive, attractive display. Furthermore, the piece invites viewers to reflect on their own hidden choices through this mix of artistic expression and machine logic.
In another category, artist Andreas Lutz secured the Honorary Award for his interactive installation Capture/Resemble. His work scans the individual faces and body movements of the audience in real time. Subsequently, artificial intelligence transforms these human expressions into moving abstract art that continually evolves.
Art enthusiasts can explore all of these winning creations at RUCI Art Space in Jakarta. The gallery will show the complete exhibition through October 25, 2026. Ultimately, this event offers a valuable chance for the public to witness groundbreaking art that connects technology, culture, and society.
Photo doc. detik.com
