Introduction to Art.See.Asia

Art.See.Asia, produced for Deutsche Welle, takes viewers on a journey through contemporary Asian art. The series attracts art and travel lovers, especially those with limited time. Each episode explores a city’s creative soul through the eyes of local artists. A local artist hosts the show, and experiences art challenges, masterclasses and insider experiences. There was a pilot episode and four more episodes.

My Role in Episode 3: Jakarta

I had the privilege of researching and writing the script for Episode 3: Jakarta. Commissioned by PIK Film, the episode was hosted by visual artist Alex Abbad. He explored how Indonesian artists use art to uplift communities and improve living standards. Through his journey, Alex revealed how art sparks positive societal and environmental change.

The Featured Artists

The episode introduced a diverse group of talented artists, each with their unique craft:

• Cecilia Patricia Untario, a skilled glass artist
• Syis Paindow, a talented portrait artist
• Nadya Natassya, an impressive tattoo artist
• Teguh Ostenrik, a renowned sculpture artist

Overcoming Challenges

Due to the pandemic, two artists had COVID, and withdrew from the programme. As a result, I quickly found replacements on short notice, repeating the research process twice over. Moreover, travel restrictions prevented me from flying to Jakarta to direct. Despite this, the local team adapted well, ensuring the episode’s success.

Art.See.Asia: A 48-Hour Adventure

Art.See.Asia offers a thrilling 48-hour exploration of a city’s art scene. Local artists guide the journey with their insights. Episode 3, set in Jakarta, provided a fresh look at Indonesia’s contemporary art world. The episode performed well on the public broadcaster’s channel, engaging and inspiring viewers.