TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A black bookshelf containing 15 thick books stands in the corner of a brick wall. The works of distinguished philosophers and writers are neatly arranged in an upright position on the top and middle shelves of the rack. There are also books placed face down supporting other books above it. These books were written by world-renowned intellectuals such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Plato, and 1913 Nobel prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore.
Near the front door, a half body painting of Nietzsche is displayed. Beside it, there is a painting of Kahlil Gibran wearing a kopiah (similar to a skull cap).
Aside from the bookshelf and five paintings, there are also 70 philosophy books on top of a table. The illustrated book published by Bentang Budaya was authored by Jumaldi Alfi. A few other books among them had pictures of Leo Tolstoy and philosopher Machiavelli on the cover.
Jumaldi Alfi’s installation art piece entitled ‘Coverboy’ was displayed during an exhibition entitled "Re-Play at the Office for Contemporary Art (OFCA) International" being held at the Sarang Building in Bantul from May 10 to June 10. Those who viewed Alfi’s piece stared at it in pensive admiration. This display was purposely arranged to make people observe, read, and deeply rethink the thoughts of artists.
"An exhibition to read over the visual text," Alfi told Tempo during the preparation of the exhibition on Thursdaynight, two weeks ago.
This piece was created by the graduate who majored in painting at the Indonesian Institute of Art (ISI) in Yogyakarta, from 2000 to 2003.
Alfi stated that anyone could touch his work in order to make it interactive. Visitors were also permitted to read the philosophy books on top of the table. Aside from that, visitors were also given a chance to write anything in a book that has a picture of a philosopher on the cover.
Alfi added that the book covers illustrating philosophers and writers were important media to introduce influential intellectuals to the community. He considers these books to be timeless intellectual products.
SHINTA MAHARANI
