ruins and blueprints

5 July - 3 August 2025

Focus Gallery, ara contemporary

ruins and blueprints explores the continuous dialogue between the past and the present in a way to trace the origins of current realities, particularly the reinterpretation of historical events or contexts through the lens of present perspectives. The works in the exhibition examine the enduring relevance of history and its continued influence on the present, using the metaphor of ruins as a starting point. Through their works and practices, the seven artists delve into the legacies of the past that have or continue to shape the present, examining how revisiting history can illuminate tensions between historical accuracy and contemporary reinterpretation. While firmly rooted in the present, the works reflect on how the past continues to inform current views, practices, and actions, demonstrating the ways in which history remains embedded in today's lived experiences.

Together, the metaphors of 'ruins' and 'blueprints' suggest a cyclical relationship in which the past shapes the present, and the present, in turn, lays the foundation for the future just like a continuous loop of remembering and reimagining.


Exhibition View

Artworks

Agan Harahap

Untitled

2025, archival inkjet print on photographic paper mounting on board, variable dimension

Dita Gambiro

Today's Paper, Yesterday's Home

2025, plywood, newspaper, PVC board, wire mesh, aluminium sheets, paint
107 x 57 x 12 cm

Dita Gambiro

Harapan Baru / New Hope

2024, plywood, acrylic, pvc board, wire mesh, paint
70 x 107 x 10 cm

Enka Komariah

Manusia Modern dan Militer Di Atas Tanah Makmur

2024, oil on paper, 107 x 78 cm (2 panels)

Ipeh Nur

Pertarungan Ular Raksasa dan Buaya Putih (The Battle Between the Giant Serpent and the White Crocodile)

2025, mud, rock powder, charcoal, indigo powder, red oxide, marble powder, hemp rope on jute, woven fabric, and carved wooden pole, 103 x 206 cm

Irfan Hendrian

Foreign Build 3

risography, pen & dye cut on layers of paper, 48 x 56.3 x 9 cm

Irfan Hendrian

Foreign Build 2

2025, risography, pen & dye cut on layers of paper, 56.5 x 48.7 x 9 cm

Irfan Hendrian

Foreign Build 1

2025, risograph and dye cut on layers of paper, 56 x 69 x 9 cm

Lai Yu Tong

Newspaper Painting No. 37

2018, synthetic polymer paint on news paper,
63 x 76 x 4 cm (framed),
57.5 x 70 cm (unframed)

Lai Yu Tong

Newspaper Painting No. 89

2020, synthetic polymer paint on newspaper,
63 x 76 x 4 cm (framed) ,
57.5 x 70 cm (unframed)

Natalie Sasi Organ

Mind Your Legs

2024, laser-engraved shelf, aluminium, and steel fan, 31 x 18 x 2 cm

Natalie Sasi Organ

White Buds of Tuberose in a Dark Night

2025, overall oil on linen, stainless steel engraved frame, freshwater pearls, casted resin, chainmail, 17 x 60 x 10 cm

Natalie Sasi Organ

The Devouring

2025, oil on linen, stainless steel engraved frame
100 x 67 x 3.5 cm

Media Links

ara contemporary Hadirkan Dual Exhibition Perdana: “Doorway” by Carmen Ceniga Prado & “ruins and blueprints” Thrivin Magz https://thrivinmagz.com/ara-contemporary-hadirkan-dual-exhibition-perdana-doorway-by-carmen-ceniga-prado-ruins-and-blueprints/
Dua Pameran Seni Hadir Bersamaan di Ara Contemporary Venue Magazine https://venuemagz.com/event/dua-pameran-seni-hadir-bersamaan-di-ara-contemporary/
Tracing Emotion and History: Doorway and ruins and blueprints at ara contemporary Grafis Masa Kini https://grafismasakini.com/article/tracing-emotion-and-history-doorway-and-ruins-and-blueprints-at-ara-contemporary/en
Doorway & Ruins: Menyelam dalam Tubuh, Menggali Jejak di Ara Contemporary Kumparan https://kumparan.com/hidayat-adhiningrat1500207974176/doorway-and-ruins-menyelam-dalam-tubuh-menggali-jejak-di-ara-contemporary-25PCSK5qIFz
Hubungan Antara Masa Lalu dan Masa Kini Media Indonesia https://epaper.mediaindonesia.com/detail/a-12286
Percakapan Sejarah dan Masa Kini dalam Pameran Seni ”Ruins and Blueprints” Kompas.id https://www.kompas.id/artikel/percakapan-sejarah-dan-masa-kini-dalam-pameran-seni-ruins-and-blueprints?open_from=Tagar_Page
ara contemporary Persembahkan Pameran Ganda Pertamanya: Doorway di Main Gallery dan ruins and blueprints di Focus Gallery Benang.id https://benang.id/ara-contemporary-persembahkan-pameran-ganda-pertamanya-doorway-di-main-gallery-dan-ruins-and-blueprints-di-focus-gallery/
Ara Contemporary Hadirkan Pameran “Doorway” dan “ruins and blueprints” di Dua Ruang Galeri Sekaligus Haroem Media https://haroem.com/arts/nuansa-asri/ara-contemporary-hadirkan-pameran-doorway-dan-ruins-and-blueprints-di-dua-ruang-galeri-sekaligus/