May 16, 2018 — A historic, cultural and artistic city in Java, Yogyakarta is notably renowned for hosting the annual contemporary art festival: Art Jog. From May 4 to June 4, 2018, numerous Indonesian and international artists exhibit their works at the Jogja National Museum. Discover this major event that puts the city in the spotlight!

Art Jog: Indonesia's Largest Contemporary Art Festival

Formerly known as "The Yogyakarta Art Festival", Art Jog takes place every year since 2008 and marks its eleventh edition.

All artists work around a shared theme, either individually or collectively. This year's theme is "Enlightenment Toward Various Futures".

All artistic disciplines are welcomed and encouraged. For instance, you'll find exhibitions related to photography, painting, sculpture, ephemeral installations, and more.

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If days are filled with creativity, nights promise plenty of excitement too. Visitors can enjoy dance performances, theatre shows and concerts every evening of the festival.

One of Art Jog's core objectives is to bring artists closer to the general public. To better appreciate their work, the staff and organizers conduct guided tours. They also organize meetings and conferences with participants to exchange ideas and forge connections. Additionally, at the close of the exhibition, they present the Young Artist Award to an emerging artist who deserves greater recognition on the artistic scene.

The ultimate goal is to give these artists a much-needed career boost and contribute to their wider recognition.

Who Participates in This Festival?

The Art Jog 2018 edition welcomes 54 artists from six different countries this year. Renowned Indonesian art galleries and major collectors also participate in the festival's programming.

The spirit of the event is not to become an elitist gathering, but to allow a wide range of exhibitors to share their work and experience. Lesser-known artists can therefore submit their applications and be selected to exhibit their works.

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Many internationally recognized participants are featured at Art Jog this year, such as Filipino artist Ronald Ventura and American artist Adam de Boer. These few weeks offer an opportunity for this talented community to share their artistic universe and vision.

For more information, visit the official website and the Instagram account dedicated to the festival. You'll find the program and presentations of each artist featured in this edition. If you're visiting Yogyakarta this month, it would be a shame to miss this event, wouldn't it?

Charlène Nomadays — An English-speaking SEO editor since Nomadays' early days, Charlène has evolved into content manager and head of communications, accompanying the adventure with passion and dedication. After spending seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, via Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a thoughtful, committed and responsible vision of tourism. Each article is for her a bridge between curiosity, respect and wonder.