TRANSIT SPACELAB

coming soon.

Achmad Krisgatha : Stop Listening, Start Doing.

What cross in your mind when you hear the word “noise”? If  you said confusion, then this is the guy to make it complete. Achmad Krisgatha, 27 years old, a certified curator, writer, designer, DJ/Producer, and a part time artist in disguise. He started doing graffiti and stencils in college, which led him to digital imaging he often used as the midnight music’s background. Oh yes, he’s into electronic music too, but his main references are Sonic Youth and Pink Floyd.

He formed Transit Spacelab in 2001, an art collective based in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Originally, the collective was founded on the same need of exposure. A bunch of young, amateur and unwanted artist, exploring every possibilities to show their work. And so they go out on the streets, marking whatever with aerosol and posters for the sake of recognition. 7 years ago in Indonesia, graffiti and gallery aren’t exactly the words to be placed in the same sentence. To the media, and art galleries, the street shit thingy is a noise.

At the very same time, he also works for two magazines. So when a local clothing brand offered him a sponsorship, he decided to have a double life. Daytime writer, and a “writer” at night. To those who have read his articles in both magazines –god forbids-, you’re probably still guessing what the hell is this guy talking about? is he drunk and babbling while typing his typo? No. That’s just him. So called complex and couldn’t- be- understood- the- first – time- you- read- them- articles is simply his signature. Fans-foes love & hate letters, coming to his address at both offices. Because to some of those people, his articles are noises.

Back to Transit Spacelab, the sponsor entrust them a space to call their own. And then comes ROOMNO.1, a small time alternative space with serious activities and completely non-serious activists. OBEY Giant was there to exhibit; also some unexposed and under appreciated local young artists. Of course, ROOMNO.1 wasn’t the 1st alternative space in Bandung, but the exhibitions schedule keeps lining up. And there were some kind of resistance from the art scene, stating that ROOMNO.1 is a non-moving crossover between two totally different needs, the store and the gallery. Because to most of them, ROOMNO.1 is a noise.

In 2005, he returns to the music scene alongside with DJ Ademus. His ambience music and Ademus’ groove is a blend of minimal electro with organic environment, that drew Syaharani –jazz/soul singer- to them and rumor said that they’re  planning on doing tour together.

Today Transit Spacelab has established itself as best selling art space merchandise and an electronic music group. And somehow everything just fall into places and made Krisgatha even more popular without any mainstream media exposure. His soundwork has been documented in a disco recording compilation release, 2 singles in two albums by a punk band, Jeruji, a remix available in the limited CD and myspace page of the band oh woohoo wow, and a soundscape EP that where only distributed in China.

(Ari Patria, Writer/2007) published on www.amild.com

Introduction.

"A neighbor of the infamous Golden Triangle, one of the world's biggest drug sources, Yunnan first reported the presence of HIV in 1989. There are presently more than 18,000 HIV carriers and AIDS sufferers in Yunnan, a number second only to that of Henan Province."

Objectives.

To gain a deeper understanding of the HIV/AIDS focused I.D.U (Injected Drug User) problem in Kunming through local institutions involved with different programs (e.g. HIV/AIDS treatment, out-reach programs), the local community and individual IDU patients in order to develop a project that may artistically contribute towards a larger public awareness about this issue or something else.

In order to develop this projects I have estabilished relationship with Dr. Tan Lai Yong, Singapore from Kunming Medical College and Duan Yuxin from Population Service International in Kunming as well as various I.D.U (Injected Drug User) patients. In addition, I am working with the cultural organization Lijiang Studio, Kunming-China and resident curator Adrian Van Egmond, U.S

::Krisgatha::

Links & Partners

1. Lijiang Studio
2. Curator : Adrian Van Egmond, U.S
3. Dr. Tan Lai Yong (MBBS Singapore, Kunming Medical College)
4. PSI, Population Service International, Kunming-China