(Business Lounge Journal – Event) Leo Silitonga, left his career at banking world since 2013 and will be the fair director at the upcoming Art Stage Jakarta. Savvy with the knowledge on Indonesian art, we interviewed Mr. Silitonga regarding the prospect, and future of art business in Indonesia.
Answering questions from new millennial entrepreneur and second-generation businessmen, who are curious about the future of art business and how the industry works, Mr. Silitonga share the benefit of art fairs in the Industry’s ecosystem.
- With the result that shows the perception of the public tend to regard the banker is working with a dominant positive image, do you think a person with a prestigious image (26%), intellectual (20%), researching (16%) and professionals (12%)*; it should also understand the art, or at least, to educate himself about art?
First of all, I have to be clear that I am no longer a banker. I left the banking industry in 2013. I took on the position of Fair Director for another Jakarta-based art fair in 2014 and 2015. Now I am the Fair Director of the inaugural edition of Art Stage Jakarta, which is the sister fair of international brand Art Stage Singapore.
As for the question, I think the image does not really matter, everyone should try to understand art if given the chance. Art is applicable to any industry, it helps people think out of the box when solving problems, to come up with creative solutions. Apart from that, an understanding of art also provides a different kind of sensitivity, which allows a person to understand an issue better from a different perspective.
*source: Vibiz research regarding Banker’s image
- With regard to your statement in forum Technical Institute Bandung, you reveal about the booming art era, what do you mean by this?
That statement was made back in 2007, 2008, when the art market was booming. Presently the market is still quite dynamic, people are showing an interest and eagerness to learn, and we are cautiously optimistic of market performance in the coming months.
- What’s the future in this booming art era – will entrepreneurship or business in the field of art benefit the millennials of Indonesia? If yes, what kind of business?
Art fairs are good for the market because they play a key role in the art industry’s ecosystem. They create good business opportunities for galleries by allowing their art more exposure, as it is a good platform for them to meet more collectors and potential buyers. The environment of art fairs, with the energy and the crowd, is also conducive to sales. However as with all projects, quality is important. Art Stage Jakarta comes into the market with the knowledge and expertise from the same team that produces Art Stage Singapore every year – the professional standards are similar, and it aims to provide galleries and collectors with a good platform to intersect.
Michael Judah Sumbayak adalah pengajar di Vibiz LearningCenter (VbLC) untuk entrepreneurship dan branding. Seorang penggemar jas dan kopi hitam. Follow instagram nya di @michaeljudahsumbek