NU holds art exhibition to welcome national congress

Yogyakarta, NU Online
A group of young activists of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Yogyakarta is set to hold visual art exhibition themed "Matja Seni Wali-wali Nusantara" starting from July 27 to 30 at Jogja National Museum. Involving as many as 50 artist, the event is held to welcome the 33th Muktamar (national congress) of Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) that will kick off in Jombang, East Java on August.
<>
Hasan Basri, a member of the event organizer, said the firstly-held art exhibition will display at least 70 to 90 art pieces. According to Hasan, one of tradition close to Islam Nusantara sees art in an honorable perspective. The lack of appreciation toward art in a community implies a lack of spiritual level of the community.

“There is no need to argue about the halal and haram status of practicing art. Diversity, which is inseparable with humanity, exists in art,” said Hasan in front of press at Jogja National Museum recently.

The exhibition is aimed to maintain warm relationship between art and Islam.

Curator of the exhibition, A. Anzieb said NU "is typical with concept of Islam Nusantara that is open to any possibility to realize social changes without breaking the thread with the past." (masdar)