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Synesthesia: Reviving Memories Through All Senses

The concept of synesthesia, chosen as this year's pre-event theme, refers to how humans perceive the world through experiences that involve multiple senses simultaneously, such as hearing colors, smelling atmospheres, or seeing sounds. The idea of humans perceiving things through interconnected senses was adopted as a curatorial approach to evoke collective memories of the ITB Art Market.

“We want visitors not only to see but truly feel the pulse of the Art Market through a multisensory experience,” said Kayla Hafsah, Chairperson of the ITB Art Market 2025 Organizing Committee.

Acting Dean of the ITB Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD), Dr. Nurdian Ichsan, M.Sn., stated that the return of the Art Market after such a long time is not merely a repetition but a turning point in a journey.

“I firmly believe this will be a moment of change. The Art Market is no longer just for FAD, but for all of us - students, faculty, alumni, and the community,” he said.

Exhibition: “Looking Back: Five Decades of Journey (1972–2014)”

As the opening event of the series, the exhibition “Looking Back: Five Decades of the ITB Art Market” was held at the Soemardja Gallery from May 25 to 31, 2025. The exhibition features visual archives, documentation, and artifacts from 1972 to 2014 that capture the dynamic journey of the Art Market across generations. This exhibition serves as the starting point for weaving together collective memories leading up to the culmination of the ITB Art Market 2025 on October 19.

Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to revisit how the Art Market has become an egalitarian space that brings together artists and the public, while reflecting the spirit of the times from one era to the next. Visual documentation, old posters, artwork artifacts, and stories from the participants serve as a bridge connecting generations. More than just a nostalgic space, this exhibition reflects the importance of sustaining collective art spaces in Indonesia.

Diverse Activities Shaping a Participatory Creative Ecosystem

The spirit of the Art Market is carried out through the principle of sustainability, engaging the community with a contemporary style that highlights local characteristics through the implementation of an interdisciplinary approach to evoke a reflective nature in every individual present. To enrich visitors' experiences, the spirit and principles are translated into several main programs, such as Pasa, Semangat Rupa, Laka Laku, Nyemal Nyemil, and Saling Sua.

The entire program is designed to create a reflective and participatory creative ecosystem unique to the ITB Art Market. As a result, visitors will experience a visual journey that touches on emotional, social, and cultural dimensions.

Towards the Future: “Setakat Lekat: Laku, Temu, Laju”

This series of activities is also part of the journey toward the main theme of the ITB Art Market 2025, which is "Setakat Lekat: Laku, Temu, Laju". This theme reflects the spirit of an era marked by rapid change, interconnectedness, and continuous growth. The concept of "Laku", or action, refers to the human response, "Temu", or encounter, emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary and intergenerational collaboration, while "Laju", or progress, signifies the acceleration of information between two worlds.

Before the main event, a series of pre-events such as Beranda Bersama, Sepanjang Masa, Saling Senggo, and Tapak Meriah will be held to expand interaction between artists, communities, and the public. This demonstrates that the ITB Art Market is not merely a one-day celebration of art but a sustained process that cultivates collective spirit over time.

The Art Market as a Collective Space

Through a deep curatorial approach, cross-disciplinary participation, and a spirit of public engagement, the ITB Art Market 2025 is expected to become a space for reflection, interdisciplinary meetings, and a celebration of art, togetherness, diversity, and the richness of expression.

Translator: Nafi'ah Rahni Nugrahanti (Civil Engineering Student, 2023).