The annual international contemporary art festival ARTJOG will return from July 23 to Aug 30 at the Jogja National Museum (JNM) in Jogyakarta, Indonesia.

Last year’s ARTJOG showcased 122 art works by 39 artists, with more than 100,000 people reportedly visiting the high profile festival.

This year, the festival is titled ARTJOG MMXX Arts In Common and has the theme “Time (To) Wonder”.

ARTJOG curator Agung Hujatnika said, “We invite artists to reflect on the concept of time and ‘today’, as today is the result of the dialectics between the past and the future.”

One of the artists invited to contribute in the festival’s special project category is Jompet Kuswidananto, known for his art installations involving sound, video and visuals. Curator Ignatia Nilu said that Jompet often engaged in politics, colonialism and history with his work.

At a recent press conference, Jompet revealed that his work for ARTJOG might deal with history.

ARTJOG’s programme director Gading Paksi also revealed some changes for this year’s festival.

For instance, it will be held over 39 days, compared to 30 days in 2019. Another is that Warung Murakabi (Sufficing Kiosk) by artists Indieguerillas and Singgih S. Kartono will be presented as a singular programme and not in the special project category as was the case last year.

Presented with pop culture touches, the kiosk at last year’s event sold various local foods and beverages. It also displayed an installation that featured a bamboo-based bicycle, chairs and radios.

Santi Ariestyowanti of Indieguerillas said that Warung Murakabi would be created by responding to the big banyan tree in JNM’s yard.

“We will still sell food and clothes, along with other items, which are being kept under wraps for now, ” she said.

Gading said that alongside the exhibition at the main venue, ARTJOG would feature daily performances, curatorial tours, art lectures, meet-the-artist events and merchandise.

Art lovers can also visit Jogja Art Weeks, an annual event of exhibitions, art and music performances, film screenings, discussions and art workshops.

Heri Pemad of ARTJOG expressed hope that visitors to the festival would also make time to explore Jogja Art Weeks.