Presentation of Ring Project #1: Metaphors About Islands is a result of interlocal collaborative art projects initiated and co-curated by Gudskul (Jakarta) and Sandy Lo (Taipei), and supported by Taiwan National Culture and Arts Foundation. Since March 2021, this project has been an attempt at adaptation, healing, and solidarity within art realm, wherein global pandemic triggered us to seek new cycle for interlocal works. Entitled Metaphor About Island, various perspectives and metaphors on ‘island’ become the unifying idea for artists and collectives involved in this premiere project. For ten months, they discussed, redefined, speculated, and examined the meaning of closeness, residence, survival, togetherness, diversity, presence, connectedness, and equality within respective ‘island’ and time zone.

Ring Project #1 pairs 20 artists and art collectives from Bangkok, Bangladesh, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Phnom Penh, and Taipei, with 22 Indonesian art collectives that participates in the third batch of Gudskul Collective and Contemporary Art Ecosystem Studies, class of 2020/2021, spread around Bandung, Batu, Cirebon, Gresik, Kuningan, Jakarta, Makassar, Maumere, Nganjuk, Palu, Sidoarjo, Solok, Sukabumi, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Pieces of process from these artists and collectives from around the world and time zone complete a series and concept of Jakarta Biennale 2021: ESOK in National Museum, Jakarta.