This illustrated book is a poetic toolkit for navigating Indonesia's rapidly decreasing public spaces

"Jody realised that in Jakarta, social media isn't just popular, it's "everything". People are glued to their phones, no eye contact, no small talk, just "doomscrolling through the nose", says Jody. With data showing that green space makes up less than 10 per cent of Jarkarta, it's also one of the most mall-saturated cities in the world, with more than 200."

"The interactive art book is a poetic toolkit for reclaiming places in cities where accessible public space is hard to find. "Part illustrated ritual, part analog game, and part urban guide", the book responds to the question of whether a book can be its own public space, or as Jody describes it: "A small space where you don't have to pay, pose, or perform. Just show up." The result is something exploding with imagination and life."

Jody Agus is a multidisciplinary visual artist and creative director at Qun Studios who became frustrated with urban life in Jakarta. Social media dominates daily interactions, with people glued to phones and avoiding eye contact or small talk. Green space makes up less than 10 per cent of Jakarta, and the city hosts more than 200 malls, creating a shortage of accessible communal places. Jody created an interactive art book titled Let This Book Be Your Public Space as a portable safe space. The book blends film-poster sensibilities, experimental publishing, and visual storytelling into a poetic toolkit: part illustrated ritual, part analog game, part urban guide, offering a small free space to show up without performance.

Read at Itsnicethat