SENAYAN CITY AND SEJAUH MATA MEMANDANG PRESENTS SEMANGGI KITA

PRESS RELEASE

23 Agustus 2017, by SenayanCity

Jakarta, August 17, 2017 - Dekranasda (National Crafts Council) DKI Jakarta and Sejauh Mata Memandang present an art exhibition showcasing the latest collection of the textile label in the event "Semanggi Kita: Berkarya Untuk Indonesia" which is currently held at the Main Atrium of Senayan City, Central Jakarta. The opening of this event coincided with the recent inauguration of Simpang Susun Semanggi (Semanggi Intersection) in Jakarta, which serves as the inspiration for the latest motif of Sejauh Mata Memandang.

In this art exhibition, Sejauh Mata Memandang and Dekranasda DKI jakarta collaborate with Bina Marga, PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA), Mata Studio, and Senayan City.

Chitra Subiyakto, the Founder and Creative Director of Sejauh Mata Memandang, has collaborated with Dekranasda DKI Jakarta in providing batik-making and embroidery training for housewives living in subsidized council flats (rumah susun) in Jakarta. The training program aimed to improve the skills of these housewives, while also empowering the economy of their surrounding communities at Rumah Susun Marunda, Pesakih Rawa Bebek, and Pulo Gebang. The handmade crafts resulting from this prorgam were first showcased in the "Jakarta Kita" exhibition at Jakarta Creative Hub last April.

The latest textile collection by Sejauh Mata Memandang prominently features the Semanggi Batik motif designed by Chitra. The motif inspired by the Semanggi Junction in the center of Jakarta, which was first inaugurated in 1962 to welcome the Asian Games that year. "The clover shape of the junction represents unity as it seamlessly connects the various regions of Jakarta - North, South, West, and East - without the presence of traffic lights," said Chitra.

Veri Y. Setiady, the CEO of Senayan City who acts as the host for this event said, "This year, 'Semanggi Kita: Berkarya Untuk Indonesia' is the main event of Glorify Indonesia, our annual program to commemorate the independence day of Indonesia in August. It is an honor for Senayan City to host this event and become part of the inauguration of an important and historic landmark in the history of Jakarta. Through this art exhibition, we also aim to showcase our existence in providing space for the works of Indonesian artists as part of every program Senayan City organizes."

Showcasing the illustration of four-leaf clovers and road markings in Jakarta, Sejauh Mata Memandang's new motif was applied by housewives from Rumah Susun Marunda, North Jakarta. on top of cotton cloth with handmade batik techniques. These batik fabrics come in a variety of colors such as green, red, yellow, and dark blue. They are featured in various forms of products, ranging from fabrics, scarves, to multifunctional cloths.

In addition, Sejauh Mata Memandang has also launched an array of decorative cushions featuring hand embroideries or Semanggi batik fabric, and accentuated with colorful pom-pom accents of Betawi. These cushions are made by hand by the housewives from Rumah Susun Pesakih, West Jakarta, and Rumah Susun Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta.

Most of the products in this latest Sejauh Mata Memandang collection were handmade by the housewives from Jakarta's rumah susun, who have undergone training for 6 months under the guidance of Dekranasda DKI Jakarta to become skilled batik and embroidery artisans. This initiative is in line with Sejauh Mata Memandang's mission to empower Indonesian women, especially the mothers.

The art exhibition also features works by 17 young artists that have participated in the Exi(s)t program of Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, such as Yaya Sung, Onix, Eko Bintang, Rianti Gautama, Ivan Christianto, Wangsit Firumantika, Gadis Fitriana, Nadi Azhry, Ayu Dilla, Grace Joetama, Danot, Ruth Marbun, Monica Hapsari, Tontey, Sarita Ibnoe, Dio Prakasa, and Nady Arzhy. Also on Display are paintings by the children of Jakarta, photography works by Davy Linggar, and video works by David Salim.

The exhibition "Semanggi Kita" is open to public at the Main Atrium of Senayan City, Central Jakarta, until August 26, 2017.

ABOUT SEJAUH MATA MEMANDANG

Founded by Chitra Subiyakto in 2014, Sejauh Mata Memandang is a textile label inspired by Indonesia's natural and cultural treasures. Sejauh Mata Memandang is working with artisans and craftsmen in various corners of Indonesia - DKI Jakarta, Java, Bali, Sumba - creating handmade crafts that are rich in stories and meanings. The label's product range now includes textile fabrics, accesories, and ready-to-wear clothing for women, men, and children, as well as home and living products, which can be found in leading Indonesian and international boutiques as well as the online store sejauh.com