Two painters from different countries hold an art exhibition at Komaneka Art Gallery, at Komaneka Keramas Beach. Both artists are Stephan Spicher from Switzerland and Made Wianta from Bali, Indonesia, with the theme “Between Chaos and Form.” Wianta’s work displayed is the result of a creative process in Rancate and Basel Switzerland as well as in Bali. Likewise, some of Stephan’s works were made in Ticino, Basel and Bali.

Curator Jean Couteau stated that the exhibition echoes about the Order and Chaos, occurred both in the West and Indonesia. No doubt modernity brings both Order and Chaos. This dialectic appears in the works of both artists. The works of Stephan and Wianta do not only question about meaning, but instead offer essential new meanings.

If Order has a dialectic with Chaos, where is the meaning itself? Doesn’t culture lose its meaning? Isn’t it true if the meaning of “outside” doesn’t exist, it is the only way to look for meaning in dialogue with yourself, and especially, with “the other” who is also a reflection of yourself, isn’t it?

Of the two artists, only Stephan is still alive. For him, now, Wianta is not only a close friend, but also the “other” who gives meaning. It is the “other” who also explores the infinity of Chaos and Order.

Indeed, the meeting of both Swiss and Balinese painters is nothing new. When Stephan Spicher first came to Bali, he was introduced to Made Wianta by the late Urs Ramseyer. Starting from that point, Stephan immediately considered Bali as a new painting studio. A dialogue began between the two artists.

Thought dialogue and artistic dialogue of Stephan and Wianta respected each other. They shared experiences. It is the experience of a western artist living in Bali for Stephan, and a Balinese artist who has lived in the west for Wianta.

While in Bali, Stephan and Wianta often met at Apuan, Tabanan, hometown of Wianta. Stephan lived there for months, breathing in the cultural atmosphere and the local natural environment. He understands that Bali is synonymous with “enjoying.”

Meanwhile, for Wianta, from his experience living in Brussels, Belgium (1975-1977), he understood the way of thinking as well as art and culture of the west. From his experience living with Stephan in Switzerland, he understood that the west is “questioning.” Stephan in Switzerland and Made Wianta in Bali complement each other.

Wianta often discussed with Stephan the various concerns regarding Bali: if the west is “questioning,” now Wianta is questioning Bali in his dialogue with Stephan. After that, they turned the ideas into various joint art projects.

Some of the projects they have done together include working together at Stephan’s studio in Rancate, Ticino and Basel Switzerland, and Crossing Lines which was exhibited both in Bali (2001) and in Basel (2002), and St. Petersburg and Art Moscow Russia (2005).

Wianta passed away more than two years ago, but their meeting, encounter and crossing of ideas are now being continued in a joint exhibition. It is not an ordinary exhibition, but a dialogic exhibition between a joint-discovery as a form of spiritual connection that will never stop even though Wianta already passed away.

The exhibition, being held by Komaneka Art Gallery at Komaneka at Keramas Beach, Gianyar, from January 24 to February 7 2023, carries the theme “Between Chaos and Form.” Wianta’s work displayed is the result of a creative process in Rancate and Basel Switzerland as well as in Bali. Likewise, some of Stephan’s works were made in Ticino, Basel and Bali. (BTN/015)