JEAN-LUC MOULÈNE
The Indoneisian group Apotik Komik, founded in 1997, employed the popular appeal of comic books as a tool for communicating with the public. The group's principal members included Arie Diyanto, Samuel Indratma and Popok-Tri Wahyudi, Bambang Toko all of whom have been passionate about comics since art school. Their work often took the form of graphic drawings on external walls, even though such behavior was prohibited by the dictatorship of former President Suharto. These murals, which incorporate artistic symbols and metaphors into what can be seen as three-dimensional comic strips, cryptically and humorously presented the group's views on politics and society without being mocking or subversive.
With this easily accessible, mobile public art, made with easily acquired materials and a practicality suited to local conditions, Apotik Komik hoped to effect exchange and interaction between communities in order to awaken an alternative consciousness and new form of communication in an environment rife with political propaganda, censorship, and commercial advertisements.
For the next few years Apotik Komik engaged in several collective art projects in public spaces and alternative locations throughout various Indonesian cities. Photographs, news clippings, books, CDs, DVDs, postcards, and albums document these large-scale murals and installations. More recently, the members of Apotik Komik have concentrated less on these group initiatives and more on individual projects, including underground comics and other artworks. -A.C.
http://www.info-france-usa.org/culture/art/events/urbanpornography.html
http://www.photography-now.com/artists/K07634.html
http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/artistinfo/artist/5380
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/en/film/23989.html
http://www.kunsthallelophem.be/php/exhibitions/solo/nl/mou.php
http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/exhibitionInfo/exhibition/4850
http://www.creativtv.net/moiphot2/moulene-bis/pop01.html
Born 1955 in Rheims, France
Lives and works in Paris, France
Biere Totale (Total Beer), 2004
Table, 2 crates of beer Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH (324 boxes, 3888 tin cans)
Dimensions variables
Table, 2 crates of beer Karlsberg Brauerei GmbH (324 boxes, 3888 tin cans)
Dimensions variables
Manivelle de pédalier de cycle dit "Le casse-tête" (Bicycle pedal crank, a.k.a. "The club"), 1999-2000 Color photograph
37 x 47 cm
Courtesy the artist
37 x 47 cm
Courtesy the artist
La poêle des 17 de Manufrance (The frying pan of the 17 from Manufrance) 17 , 1999-2000 Color photograph
37 x 47 cm
Courtesy the artist
37 x 47 cm
Courtesy the artist
The Indoneisian group Apotik Komik, founded in 1997, employed the popular appeal of comic books as a tool for communicating with the public. The group's principal members included Arie Diyanto, Samuel Indratma and Popok-Tri Wahyudi, Bambang Toko all of whom have been passionate about comics since art school. Their work often took the form of graphic drawings on external walls, even though such behavior was prohibited by the dictatorship of former President Suharto. These murals, which incorporate artistic symbols and metaphors into what can be seen as three-dimensional comic strips, cryptically and humorously presented the group's views on politics and society without being mocking or subversive.
With this easily accessible, mobile public art, made with easily acquired materials and a practicality suited to local conditions, Apotik Komik hoped to effect exchange and interaction between communities in order to awaken an alternative consciousness and new form of communication in an environment rife with political propaganda, censorship, and commercial advertisements.
For the next few years Apotik Komik engaged in several collective art projects in public spaces and alternative locations throughout various Indonesian cities. Photographs, news clippings, books, CDs, DVDs, postcards, and albums document these large-scale murals and installations. More recently, the members of Apotik Komik have concentrated less on these group initiatives and more on individual projects, including underground comics and other artworks. -A.C.
http://www.info-france-usa.org/culture/art/events/urbanpornography.html
http://www.photography-now.com/artists/K07634.html
http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/artistinfo/artist/5380
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/en/film/23989.html
http://www.kunsthallelophem.be/php/exhibitions/solo/nl/mou.php
http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/exhibitionInfo/exhibition/4850
http://www.creativtv.net/moiphot2/moulene-bis/pop01.html