JAKARTA – Museum MACAN starts the year with a powerful vision for 2026. This cultural hub in West Jakarta brings together modern and contemporary art through diverse creative practices. The museum aims to bridge the gap between historical narratives and future possibilities.
Riar Rizaldi: Technology and Forgotten Histories
The museum launches its season with Period Piece by artist and filmmaker Riar Rizaldi. This new commission marks his first major museum exhibition after gaining massive fame on the international stage. Rizaldi explores the deep connections between technology, colonial history, and industrial landscapes across Southeast Asia.
His previous works appeared at famous venues like MoMA in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Consequently, this exhibition follows his successful run at global film festivals like the Berlinale, Locarno, Viennale and BFI London. He uncovers neglected histories within industrial systems and creates a site-responsive installation. He specifically reimagines the spatial and cultural memories of 1990s cinema for the modern viewer.
Global Perspectives: Swallowing the Horizon
The second exhibition, Menelan Cakrawala (Swallow the Horizon), gathers a wide selection of modern and contemporary masterpieces. It features legendary names such as Raden Saleh and Robert Rauschenberg alongside modern icons like I Nyoman Masriadi and Thảo Nguyên Phan.
The curators designed this show to examine how different perspectives shape our view of the landscape. Therefore, visitors can see how artists from different eras interpret the world around them. Following this journey, the museum introduces Atlantis II by Singaporean artist Dawn Ng. Ng uses ice as a primary material to represent the passage of time. Because ice melts, her work highlights the transition from presence to absence in a tropical climate.
Textile Traditions and Creative Play
The outdoor Sculpture Garden hosts Kenyalang Circus by Malaysian textile artist Marcos Kueh. Kueh works at the intersection of traditional weaving and modern visual culture. He produces large tapestries using industrial digital techniques to replicate sacred Borneo symbols. As a result, these striking visual pieces offer a fresh look at indigenous heritage.
Finally, the museum creates a special space for younger audiences in the Children’s Art Space. Artist Ruth Marbun presents Beradu Padu, an installation that explores the bond between humans and their environment. She builds a calm “breathing space” to help families reclaim their attention in a world full of digital noise. Through this interactive realm, children learn to celebrate the stories that bring us all together.
As reported by Tia Agnes Astuti of detik.com
