Erick Mahendra aka Harian Harimau is part of the tight-night Indonesian art scene – along with fellow ‘Art Whore’ interview subject Yahya Dwi Kurniawan aka ‘Yahyatune’ and other Art Whore Approved artists such as Gumilar Lukisani aka @gindringwaste, Reza Ray aka @rezarayfajar and Ican Harem.

The current Indonesian scene involves players who are often more than traditional artists, being clothing designers, photographers, musicians and general all round multi faceted creatives. Erick is part of this trend, being an artist, clothing designer and musician – creating works at a furious pace.

(A recent picture of Erick, below)

With so much happening in the tight nit Indonesian scene, and Erick being an integral part, now is the perfect time to get that knowledge by reading the Art Talk below…

Basics/Getting to Know

Name + D.O.B?

Erick Raynaldi Mahendra Novriyanto

11-11-1995

City, State n Country you currently call home?

Malang City, East Java, Indonesian

City, State n Country your from?

I was born in Surabaya City, then I moved to stay in Mojokerto City

(Picture below of some art by Harian Harimau)

 

Describe a memory from three stages of yr life ….basically trying to piece together your pivotal moments. Concerts, art, action-figures, romance, school, crime… ANYTHING man!

* age 5 – beginnings:

I remember when I was 5 years old, just play like other children.

But I was still small, has encountered many tragedies and badness in my home environment.

* age 10 – continuations:

I moved and lived in the Mojokerto City while grade 5 elementary school.

The new atmosphere is calm and peaceful than ever before.

* age 15 – getting serious:

As children start to grow up, curiosity began to smolder.

Playing out of the house with friends until the night was fun!

Trying new things to see the world!

* age 20 – young adult:

More and understand a lot of things, a lot of sins, and a lot of memories.

Plunge into the world of art and the band, whose main choose a life.

* age 25 – adult mode:

Hope all the goodness of the world and the afterlife, continue to work, and influential in the world.

Ameen.

* age 30 – fully formed:

Always hoping all the goodness of the world and the afterlife, continue to work, and influential in the world.

Ameen.

Personal motto?

Worship as if we die tomorrow, work as if we live forever.

Favorite band(s)?

Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Kyuss, Justice, Pavitara

Favorite TV show(s)?

Rarely watch television, many lies!

(Picture below of some art by Harian Harimau)

Favorite sport(s) + teams?

Nothing.

Favorite movie(s)?

Forrest Gump, Crows Zero, Good Will Hunting, Steve Jobs, 3 Idiot, Top Secret : The Billionaire

Favorite books and comics?

I liked all the books.

Art Questions

Favorite other artist(s)?

Banksy, Broken Fingaz, Kidult, Ican Harem (Indonesian) Amenkcoy (Indonesian), Masbayas (Indonesian), H.R./Human Right, Ian MacKaye, Kurt Cobain, Iwan Fals (Indonesian)

Worst aspect of the contemporary art-hustle?

Against all the rules of art, abuse meaning of artworks.

Best aspect of the contemporary art-hustle?

Very much, such as freedom of expression and media messaging.

(Picture below of some painted canvas shoes by Harian Harimau)

Do you consider what you are making to be ‘art’, ‘design’, re-hashed crap?

Of course not ! I think nothing is wasted in this world, and I really enjoy the process.

When and why did you first start making ‘art’ (drawings, paintings, anything)?

When I was 4 years old, because my own love drawing after seeing the work of my uncle.

Since that time I began to scribble a drawing book.

What did you draw as a pre-teen child?

Ghosts, people, animals.

What did you draw as a teen?

Death, truth, honesty, reality.

Any pivotal artistic moment/influence?

It’s important for reference and inspiration.

Why + when did you decide to go in on the art hustle?

Since I was 15 years old have the desire to be active in the art world, but the heart and courage determination was still small.

Over time until college, my heart and soul have chosen.

Doing what I love, love what I do.

Describe the method of making your creations? (dot point all o.k.)

* your cartoons?

Only honesty from within me, translate the reality of life that I have seen and even experienced, into an image.

And of course makes me feel free in the working process.

* your comics?

Only honesty from within me, translate the reality of life that I have seen and even experienced, into an image.

When I want to bring a story that ends surprisingly, comics have been my choice.

(Picture below of a cartoon by Harian Harimau)

* your painted jackets, shoes and clothing?

Starting from the slogan “Do It Yourself”!

I am against excessive consumption behavior!

Old stuff can be custom again, more unique certainly be an applied art.

Stay young! Stay creative! Stay productive!

(Pictures below of some painted clothing by Harian Harimau)

Music Questions

You are also an accomplished musician – what release do you get working in music as opposed to your other art?

Certainly not ! Everything is still on path my mind.

Remains on honesty of the reality around.

You play in Indonesian punk band ‘Justice’

* who else is in the band?

Gayuh Wardhana as a vocalist
Niko Putra Harahap aka Cak Sontol as bassist
Ananda Setya Saputra aka Nyun as drummer

(Picture below of the art for a ‘Justice’ single)

* what is the typical ‘Justice’ gig like?

Huddle, familiar, and sing along !

There was no fan, but a friend !

The personnel and audience contiguous without distances !

This punk show, not a fashion show !

(Pictures below of a ‘Justice’ gig)

Thoughts on the Indonesian music scene in general?

Many great musicians, unique, and creative, but less media that helped open the way.

So in this country become a sort of music goes underground, not many people know.

A bit of musicians who persisted to remain independent until death.

(Picture below of some ‘Justice’ art)

Odds n Ends

What role did toys play in your childhood?

Marbles, kites, action figures, and other traditional games.

Please describe your experiences growing up in Indonesia?

Raised with the nation’s history is full of lies !!

Raised with the nation’s history is full of lies !!

Raised with the nation’s history is full of lies !!

Who was your 1st crush and why?

Myself.

Yes because I was the leader for myself.

Destruction at this time is a crime in the past, as well as victories in this period was good in the past.

Does sex change everything?

Depending on each individual, the purpose in doing one’s sex.

But for me sex outside marriage is devastating!

Please describe your latest dream in detail…

I believe the dream sometimes brings a message, so it is not as easy I recount.

Enough of my and God knows the meaning of the dream.

(Picture below of some art by Harian Harimau)

Have you ever tried psychedelics of any sort? And what was the experience like?

Never, but I am curious sensation kill haha.

Of everything you have done what would you most like to be remembered for and why?

Revenge, hatred, sin, and memories.

Because in the next life was no word forget.

Drugs – waste of time or gateway to the universe?

Depending on the individual, for me self-destructive drug use, sex outside of marriage destroys yourself and others !

Please describe what you think the Indonesian Psyche/Zeitgeist is today?

I do not understand this, but me enough appreciate path thought of others.

All must meet the point of each, and must be justified.

(Picture below of some art by Harian Harimau)

 

Thoughts on Australia?

Cool State for me, a lot of artists and musicians are also there.

Creative industries there really can survive, given the good response from the surrounding.

My dream is can do an exhibition in Australia, also can my punk band the show there, ameen.

Please describe the current Indonesian underground art and music scene for those at home…

Indonesia many great musicians and unique, but less media for an indie band. So just alive and growing underground.

Which 1990’s era cartoon, would you most like to see in a tribute sex toy, and why?

I never thought of that, in that era I just follow the music Seattle, and saw a cartoon superhero.

Who would win in a fight and why: an Australian meat-head tourist in town for the weekend Vs. an Indonesian art punk?

I am more inclined to Indonesian art Punk, because I know more about Indonesian and also about Punk.

The Future

Any collaborations on the horizon?

Cooperate in the field of art with anyone in the world.

Any major projects you want to hype?

Very much possible as exhibitions around the world artists, as well as indie music acts.

Links

• Harian Harimau – Instagram
• Harian Harimau – Facebook
• ‘Justice’ Indonesian Band – Music