Mohammad Taufiq, widely known as Emte, kicks off the Road to Indonesian Contemporary Art & Design (ICAD) 2026 with a solo exhibition.
Amid a fast-paced world, we inevitably find ourselves in a constant state of flux. Technology redefines how we live, social media reshapes our personal relationships, and the past continually resurfaces—whether as fond nostalgia or unfinished business. This fluid human condition serves as the launching pad for the 16th edition of Indonesian Contemporary Art & Design (ICAD), anchored by the theme Being: Becoming.
The theme explores the dynamic space between our current condition (being) and the endless possibilities unfolding toward the future (becoming). What we experience today is not only sculpted by where we have been, but actively dictates where we are heading. It acknowledges the natural tension between progressiveness and nostalgia—between inevitable transformation and the deep-seated desire to preserve—all within a world increasingly molded by algorithms, ecological instability, and the enduring echoes of colonial legacies.
Opening of Emte's solo exhibition.
Serving as a prelude to the main festival, the Road to ICAD 16 officially kicked off on May 7, 2026, with a mini-exhibition by renowned artist Mohammad Taufiq (popularly known as Emte) at Grandkemang, Jakarta. Curated by Harry Purwanto, Itjuk Rahayu, and Zefanya Silvia, this showcase offers an initial reading of ICAD’s overarching theme through two of Emte’s poignant series: Landslide and Pixel Deep.
In Landslide, Emte frames his life trajectory and creative practice through the metaphor of a mudslide—capturing a sense of instability, shifting grounds, and the persistent drive to endure through it all. Navigating fluidly as both an illustrator and a contemporary visual artist, Emte highlights how the boundaries between these disciplines have become increasingly porous. His work springs from an ongoing negotiation amidst shifting creative landscapes and the churn of urban living.
“I used to be just a kid who loved to draw, and today I’m an artist,” Emte reflected during the exhibition opening.
Emte's artwork on display at his solo exhibition.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Deep series takes inspiration from the ubiquitous selfie culture and our obsession with maintaining a continuous digital presence. His figures are depicted taking mirror selfies, often within deeply intimate spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms. Through this body of work, Emte questions how social media is quietly dissolving the sanctuary of private space into the public realm.
Pixel Deep artwork by Emte.
Adding a clever commentary on accessibility, the artworks in Pixel Deep were presented like everyday market goods during the debut—available for visitors to purchase and take home right off the shelf. This deliberate gesture allowed Emte to challenge the traditional exclusivity of the fine art market while building a more immediate, tactile relationship between the artwork and the viewer.
The Road to ICAD 16 opening featured remarks by Insan Abdurrohman, Director of Digital Culture Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, alongside ICAD Festival Director Edwin Nazir. As the official venue partner, Grandkemang Jakarta elevated the opening experience by serving a thematic canapé creation titled Paint Dip – Colorful Edible Dips.
Paint Dip – Colorful Edible Dips.
The main festival, Indonesian Contemporary Art & Design (ICAD) 16, is set to run from October 8 to November 8, 2026, at Grandkemang, Jakarta.
