In encountering Balinese cultural artifacts brought to European museums during the colonial period and examining the cultural diplomacy politics enacted by the colonizers, she aims to excavate pre-colonial Balinese culture and understand how the perspectives and aesthetic criteria formed under colonial rule persist until today. The artist is interested in developing a critical reading of the journey of colonial legacies into the present and in understanding how they still inform contemporary cultural consciousness.
By providing her with direct access to historical archives and museum collections, the residency will allow Citra to deepen her understanding of the influence of Dutch colonial power onto the development of visual arts and culture in Bali.
]]>In encountering Balinese cultural artifacts brought to European museums during the colonial period and examining the cultural diplomacy politics enacted by the colonizers, she aims to excavate pre-colonial Balinese culture and understand how the perspectives and aesthetic criteria formed under colonial rule persist until today. The artist is interested in developing a critical reading of the journey of colonial legacies into the present and in understanding how they still inform contemporary cultural consciousness.
By providing her with direct access to historical archives and museum collections, the residency will allow Citra to deepen her understanding of the influence of Dutch colonial power onto the development of visual arts and culture in Bali.
Since the beginning of the birth
of creatures on earth –
We have lived together
We take care of each other
And love each other.
– Arahmaiani, 2021
Arahmaiani’s practice is anchored within communities with the goal of studying and developing collective creativity, to find alternative, innovative and creative solutions to problems communities are facing these days. By implementing an “open art system” through an inter-disciplinary approach, Arahmaiani open invitation is to overcome rigid discourses and establish new value systems. When in Yogyakarta, she stays often with Jimmy Ong, with whom she shares an interest in dealing with issues of culture, environment and social-political conflicts. An artist who left Singapore 30 years ago, Jimmy found himself back in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he attempted a community project with migrant workers under quarantine. Together they intend to hold dialogues and discussions to identify issues and concerns important to such communities in Singapore, including permaculture, urban farming, and food security while exploring the creative interconnections of culture, music, and botany.
In this performance incorporating a flag bearing the word guyub – the Javanese term for living harmoniously – Arahmaiani offers an original sound composition by Wukir Suryadi (Indonesia) as a “song for the plants.” She invites us all to respond to this offering and create our own songs for plants, inspired by mutual care and harmony.
Free Jazz III. Sound. Walks.
“Song For A Tree”
Since the beginning of the birth
of creatures on earth –
We have lived together
We take care of each other
And love each other.
– Arahmaiani, 2021
Arahmaiani’s practice is anchored within communities with the goal of studying and developing collective creativity, to find alternative, innovative and creative solutions to problems communities are facing these days. By implementing an “open art system” through an inter-disciplinary approach, Arahmaiani open invitation is to overcome rigid discourses and establish new value systems. When in Yogyakarta, she stays often with Jimmy Ong, with whom she shares an interest in dealing with issues of culture, environment and social-political conflicts. An artist who left Singapore 30 years ago, Jimmy found himself back in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he attempted a community project with migrant workers under quarantine. Together they intend to hold dialogues and discussions to identify issues and concerns important to such communities in Singapore, including permaculture, urban farming, and food security while exploring the creative interconnections of culture, music, and botany.
In this performance incorporating a flag bearing the word guyub – the Javanese term for living harmoniously – Arahmaiani offers an original sound composition by Wukir Suryadi (Indonesia) as a “song for the plants.” She invites us all to respond to this offering and create our own songs for plants, inspired by mutual care and harmony.