Image by ATENSI — Press
Bali-based collective Wild Skids made a bed of down exhibition named ATENSI presents posters by 20 artists connected by the Island of Bali. The word ‘atensi’ came from the Indonesian word of attention, which means notice, thought, or interest that signifies poster’s very own intention.
As a medium and concept, posters communicate all kinds of information from promotion, propaganda, agenda to protest until the present day. Posters in Bali can be traced to the early 20th century. At that time, posters like See Bali (1939) by J. Koerver became the main visual for people that never visited Bali — attracting attention with beautiful nature, a bare-breasted woman, and an invitation to see the island in person.
Posters have been rapidly progressing, including the ones in Bali. Numerous information is promoted, from places, products, services, events, political campaigns to protests. Aside from the contents, the medium itself changes with the dawning of the internet era. The digital world seemingly thrived, but the physical poster that exists in public spaces never say die — still trying to attract people’s attention until today.
Wild Skids sees the persistence in posters still present in Bali’s public spaces. That is why ATENSI was created, to give tribute and an attempt to extend the poster as a medium that can go to new spaces in the contemporary world. All of the artists will attempt to attract public attention through the medium of posters. Responding to all kinds of issues such as tourism, development, environment, tradition, identity, human emotions, and social happenings that reflect the Island of Bali.
The exhibition will be held at Da Maria in Petitenget from 29 January to 5 March. Showcasing installation with posters from Ainun Raditya, BOMBDALOVE, Denny Novikar Nasution, Eka Sudarma Putra, Ican Harem, Jaryd Clifford Adair, Linkan Palenewen, Kuro Neko, Krisna Sudharma, Naomi Samara, Niluh Pangestu, Nugi Ketut, Quint, Rama Indirawan, Julian Rai, Ryan Adyputra, Salvita De Corte, Satria Nugraha, Shepard Fairey, and Wicitra Pradnyaratih. Wild Skids will also present an art shop in Da Maria to buy limited works from artists that participate in ATENSI.
