Published Books by Bale Project

Form Phenomenon:
Rita Widagdo and Her Artistic Practice

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88 pages
height 250 mm
ISBN: (coming soon)

This book offers an in-depth exploration of seven commissioned artworks created by Rita Widagdo, a German-born Indonesian artist (b. 1938), for a single client between 2008 and 2023. These works include functional elements such as door handles, a residential door and gates designed for private locations, as well as larger monumental sculptures designated for both interior and exterior spaces in more public settings. The book not only showcases the final artworks but also reveals, for the first time, the specific processes behind their production, offering readers unprecedented access to Rita’s studio and working methods.

Central to the narrative is the concept of form phenomena, where Rita identifies natural and everyday forms, reducing them to their essential qualities, in her approach to sculpture. She begins with preliminary sketches and progresses through highly detailed maquettes-scaled models that serve as precise guides for the full-sized execution of the final artworks. This methodology underscores her commitment to materializing abstract ideas with technical accuracy, ensuring her sculptures harmonize with the spaces they inhabit. The book provides a rare glimpse into the technical processes involved in her studio practice, such as anodization, manual filing, hammering and lamination. Each of these stages is marked by careful consideration of materials and space, as well as dedication to labor-intensive hand craftsmanship that defines her work, with repeated revisions and refinements to ensure the final pieces align with Rita’s exacting standards.

Rita’s ability to balance artistic expression with functional demands is highlighted through her approach to applied arts, where she creates not only sculptures but also practical elements such as doors, entrance gates, and handles. These pieces are seamlessly integrated into the architectural context of the client’s spaces, demonstrating her adaptability in working within existing spatial constraints. Her technical expertise is particularly evident in her handling of materials, whether it’s the shaping of aluminum for an outdoor sculpture or the carving of teak for a door, always with a keen sensitivity to the material’s properties and the surrounding environment.

The book also delves into the growing relationship that Rita developed with her client over the 15- year collaboration. This partnership allowed for a deep level of artistic exchange and understanding, as Rita adapted her vision to meet the needs of the space. The result is a body of work that not only enhances the architectural setting but also evolves into a meaningful part of the client’s daily life. Each piece evokes both visual interest and tactile engagement, highlighting how living with Rita’s artworks fosters a deeper appreciation for the subtlety and craftsmanship embedded in her works, as they become part of the rhythm of everyday experience.

This book stands as a comprehensive record of Rita Widagdo’s artistic practice within her commisisoned pieces and how she navigates technical challenges, whilst also revealing the collaborative nature of her relationship with the client. Through never-before-seen documentation of her studio processes, it offers readers a deeper understanding of how abstract art can be thoughtfully integrated into private and public spaces, blending artistic considerations, technical skill, and personal connection.