Kampung ke Kampus – Kampus ke Kampung

As the first phase of the Yogyakarta part of the Bangkit/Arise residency and exchange is winding down, I can honestly say the experience has far exceeded all expectations. All the SF/Bay Area artists and CAMP’s partner Allison Wyckoff, Associate Director, Public + Community Programs at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco are so grateful for the generosity, creativity, and dedication of our Yogyakarta hosts, including:

Bangkit/Arise organizer and artist Nano Warsono and his family – Deny, Avis, and Vino

Bangkit/Arise artists: Vina Puspita, Hari Ndaruwati, Ucup, Codit, Wedhar Riyadi, and Bambang Toko

Bangkit/Arise assistant artists: Bang Toyib, Dabi Arnas, Adhitya Prasetya, Siam Candra, and Boby

Bangkit/Arise photographers/videographers: D’Mumu and Cha Cha Baninu

Pak Wahyudi Anggoro Hadi and Desa Panggungharjo

Dr. Suastiwi Triatmodjo, Pak Lutse Lambert Daniel Morrin and the Institut Seni Indonesia, Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta/Panggungharjo artists, writers, and musicians: Rolly, Kotrek, Rhomad, Mas Butong, Not Biru, Mas Bimo, Edi & friends, Alfian, and Iqbal

Matur Nuwun / Terima Kasih!

Bangkit/Arise is designed to foster discussions, understanding, and action on critical social/political issues facing our global and local communities today using art as a point of departure. Subjects to be addressed include: 1) Environmentalism and the critical need for a call to action; 2) Current geopolitical divisions, xenophobia and how we envision a world rooted in social justice, equity, and collaboration; and 3) The need for radical inclusion and understanding differences and similarities as a means of strength and the goal of collectively dismantling local and global inequities/oppression.

Bangkit/Arise is one of the first international public arts exchanges and residencies from the San Francisco Bay Area developed to include and support families.

Bangkit/Arise builds on the relationships that have developed over the past 15 years since CAMP’s first exchange with Yogyakarta Indonesia, Sama-Sama/Together that launched the mural/street art movement in Jogjakarta, a significant contribution to one of the most thriving arts communities in Indonesia.

Participating Artists San Francisco: Shaghayegh Cyrous, Keyvan Shovir, Kelly Ording, Jet Martinez, Jose Guerra Awe, Christopher Statton and Megan Wilson.

Allison Wyckoff, Associate Director of Public and Community Programs at the Asian Art Museum also traveled to Yogyakarta with her family as part of the residency to assist with the project, meet and connect with members of the arts community in Yogya, and represent the Asian Art Museum.

Participating Artists Yogyakarta: Nano Warsono, Bambang Toko, Hari Ndarvati, Muhammad Yusuf (Ucup), Wedhar Riyadi, Eko Didyk Sukowati (Codit), and Vina Puspita

Highlights over the past month include:

TUMPENG NASI KUNING CEREMONY

Bangkit/Arise officially launched the first phase of the Yogyakarta residency/exchange on Saturday, July 21, 2018 with a tumpeng nasi kuning slamatan (slamatan is the communal feast from Java, symbolizing the social unity of those participating in it.)

Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice dish with side dishes of vegetables and meat. Traditionally featured in the slamatan ceremony, the rice is made by using a cone-shaped woven bamboo container. The rice itself may be plain steamed rice, uduk rice (cooked with coconut milk), or yellow rice (uduk rice colored with kunyit (tumeric). 

People in Java, Bali and Madura usually make tumpeng to celebrate important events. However, all Indonesians are familiar with tumpeng. The philosophy of tumpeng is related to the geographical condition of Indonesia, especially Java as fertile island with numerous mountains and volcanos. Tumpeng dates back to ancient Indonesian tradition that revered mountains as the abode of hyangs, the spirit of ancestors and gods. The cone-shaped rice meant to mimics the holy mountain. The feast served as a thanksgiving for the abundance of harvest or any other blessings.

Tumpeng is a symbol of gratitude, in gratitude ceremony (syukuran or slametan), after the people pray, the top of tumpeng is cut and delivered to the most important person. He or she may be the group leader, the oldest person, or the beloved one. Then, all people in the ceremony enjoy the tumpeng together. With tumpeng, people express the gratitude to God and appreciate togetherness and harmony. In modern times, the top of the tumpeng is given to an honoured guest in social events, ceremonies or awards.

Tumpeng Nasi Kuning — Yellow tumpeng: The color yellow represents gold, wealth, abundance, and high morals. This kind of tumpeng is employed in cheerful and happy festivities and celebrations.

There is a philosophical meaning on every part of traditional tumpeng. According to folklore in Java and Bali, the cone-shaped tumpeng is a mystic symbol of life and ecosystems. It also symbolizes the glory of God as the Creator of nature, and the side dishes and vegetables represent the life and harmony of nature. The authentic and complete tumpeng dishes should contain at least one meat to represent a land animal, fish to represent sea creatures, an egg to represent winged beasts, and vegetables that represent a food stock provided by the plant kingdom. Usually tumpeng is served with spinach as spinach is a traditional symbol of prosperity in Javanese agricultural society.

Philosophical meanings behind some of the ingredients in tumpeng:

• Egg: The egg is served with the shell still on. Peeling the egg before eating it symbolizes everything a person has to plan and do before becoming a good person.
• Vegetables: A wrap of vegetables represents a good relationship with friends and neighbors. Spinach represents a safe and peaceful life; water spinach represents a person who could live through hardships; string beans represent a long life; and mungbean sprouts represent having ancestors to carry on a legacy.
• Catfish: Catfish represents the importance of preparing for troubles in the future. It also represents being humble, since catfish live on the bottom of ponds.
• Milkfish: The many bones of the milkfish represent good fortune and prosperity in the future.
• Anchovies: Because they live together, the anchovies represent having a good relationship with family and neighbors.

PRESS CONFERENCE
Bangkit/Arise
Kampus ISI Yogyakarta
Thursday, July 26, 2018

Bangkit/Arise held a press conference on the campus of ISI (Institut Seni Indonesia – Art Institute of Indonesia) on July 26, 2018. Speakers present included:

Lutse Lamber Daniel Morin, M. Sn. (Chair of the Deprtment of Fine Arts, ISI)
Allison Wyckoff, Associate Director, Public + Community Programs at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Megan Wilson and Christopher Statton, Co-Directors of Clarion Alley Mural Project, organizers Bangkit/Arise San Francisco
Bambang ‘Toko’ Witjaksono
Nano Warsono, Bangkit/Arise organizer Yogyakarta

Article in HarianMerapi

Article in SuaraMerdeka

There will also be an article in Voice of America to come.

 

SKYPE INTERVIEW WITH SHAGHAYEGH AND KEYVAN

Skype session between Vina, Nano, Christopher and Keyvan and Shaghayegh

Bangkit/Arise SF/Bay Area artists Shaghayegh Cyrous and Keyvan Shovir were each selected over two years ago to be part of the project for their ‘social practice’ approach to creating art and working with communities. However, at that point none of us predicted that we would be facing the current xenophobic, anti-family climate that we find ourselves in with the Trump presidency and the ripples it has spread throughout the world. As a result, Shaghayegh and Keyvan currently able to travel due to this geo-political impact. Therefore they are continuing to work with the project via Skype in Indonesia and will be active during the Yogyakarta artists’ residency in San Francisco. We look forward to returning to Yogyakarta next year with Shaghayegh and Keyvan to complete the Indonesia residency with them.

MURALS!

Christopher Statton

Christopher painted two murals – one on the campus of ISI and the other off-campus in Desa Panggungharjo. Both murals worked with the themes of collective identity, working collaboratively, and migration.

Christopher’s assistant artist was Dabi Arnas.

All of the artists will be providing statements about their work for the upcoming book that will be produced and published to accompany Bangkit/Arise.

Kelly Ording

Kelly created two murals – one on the Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) campus and one off-campus in Desa Panggungharjo. Both murals explored gender-identity through batik patterning on traditional Javanese headdresses.

Kelly’s artist assistant was Adhitya Prasetya.

All of the artists will be providing statements about their work for the upcoming book that will be produced and published to accompany Bangkit/Arise.

Jose Guerra Awe

Jose painted one mural on the campus of ISI, working with geometric and batik patterning.

Jose’s artist assistant was Boby Prabowo. Boby painted the center eye on Jose’s mural.

All of the artists will be providing statements about their work for the upcoming book that will be produced and published to accompany Bangkit/Arise.

Megan Wilson

Megan painted one mural on the ceramiks shop – CV Berjaya. The overall design, including the flowers, butterflies, cats (cats are revered in Yogyakarta, and by Megan), rays, and color selection, was created by Megan.

The text – ‘Urip Iku Urup’ refers to the Javanese philosophy that was taught by Sunan Kalijaga or Sunan Kalijogo, a figure of Wali Songo (revered saints of Islam in Indonesia) who is closely related to Muslims in Java, because of his ability to incorporate Islamic influences into Javanese tradition. The belief is that Life is like a light or flame that should benefit others around us, the greater the benefits that we can provide, the better for all. This phrase/philosophy was chosen at an evening get-together with Megan, Vina Puspita, Hari Ndarvati, and Sino based on Megan’s impressions of Desa Panggungharjo after the meeting with Mayor Pak Wahyudi Anggoro Hadi.

Bang Toyib designed and painted the fonts for the Javanese and Bahasa and did the ornamentation in the Urip ray. Toyib was also Megan’s assistant artist and assisted her with painting the overall mural.

Nano Warsono painted the Javanese script and Toyib and Megan collaborated on the ornamentation in the Javanese script and Bahasa Indonesian rays.

Master batik artist Nurohmad designed and painted the batik ornamentation in silver in the burgundy and blue rays.

All of the artists will be providing statements about their work for the upcoming book that will be produced and published to accompany Bangkit/Arise.

Jet Martinez

Jet painted three murals – one on the campus of ISI, one off-campus in Desa Panggungharjo, and one in collaboration with his assistant artist Siam Candra and Nano Warsono on a home in Desa Panggungharjo.

In his mural on campus, Jet combined the imagery that he uses influenced by Mexican textiles combined with batik patterning. His mural on the factory used one of Jet’s signature patterns, but with a color scheme selected to for the surroundings in the area. His collaboration with Siam and Nano combined imagery from all of their signature works.

 All of the artists will be providing statements about their work for the upcoming book that will be produced and published to accompany Bangkit/Arise.

Mural Kampoeng Dolanan

Following the announcement/introduction of Bangkit/Arise at the community gathering to watch the World Cup on a big screen in a field in Panggungharjo, the band Not Biru, who played the event contacted Nano to ask about working with the project.

Not Biru is an acoustic folk band formed by members of DIFF COM (Differently-Abled and Friends Community). The band was founded in 2012 initially to provide music for theater performances called “Rasa Ungu” that are also part of the cultural activities presented by DIFF COM. However, over the past six years as some members have left and others have joined, Not Biru has expanded and developed its work and is now established in the acoustic folk genre.

Bangkit/Arise was honored to be invited to collaborate with DIFF COM and the project worked with Rolly, Kotrek, Not Biru, Mas Butong, Edi & Friends, Mas Bimo, Alfian, and Lqbal with support from Nano, Christopher, Siam, Adhitya, Mumu, Cha Cha, Dabi, Hari, Sino, and Vina to create a beautiful collaborative interactive mural based on the Wayang puppet theater of Indonesia.

In addition, Bangkit/Arise is collaborating with Not Biru to help support the band’s first CD release. There will be a Wayang performance in front of the mural at Kampoeng Dolanan on Saturday, August 18^th in conjunction with the CD release of Not Biru that includes a track by Rolly and crew. The event is also a fundraiser to benefit Lombok after the earthquake.

Not Biru’s new CD will be available at the release party and in San Francisco in conjunction with our events at the Asian Art Museum.

Members of Not Biru include: Kholis – guitar, Tofik – drum and fiddle, Aat – vocals, Riz – vocals, Said – keyboard, and Tian – bass.

 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL MESSAGING WORKSHOP AT ISI CAMPUS

On Saturday July 28^th Bangkit/Arise artists Ucup, Nano, Christopher, and Megan led a workshop on social/political messaging through art at the ISI campus. Each of the artists talked about their individual work and collective projects using various strategies (posters, live silk-screening, buttons, performance) to get their messages out.

Following the presentation all of the participants were provided with paper and pens to create their messages to share with the group. During this time the hosts prepared fruit and sambal to share together during the break. After the break participants shared their posters with everyone. Themes included respect for women, labor rights, working collectively, honoring the planet, and animal rights.

A ‘zine is being made from all of the posters created at the workshop.

MURAL TO HONOR SIGNIFICANT FIGURES IN INDONESIA’S HISTORY

As part of Bangkit/Arise’s collaboration with Desa Panggungharjo the Yogyakarta Bangkit/Arise artists Nano Warsono, Hari Ndvarwati, Ucup, Bambang Toko, Codit, Wedhar Riyadi, and Vina Puspita are creating a mural at Panggungharjo’s sports center to honor important figures who have had a significant impact on Indonesia’s history.

The figures on top include Dr. Sardjito, Gusdur, R.A. Kartini, Yap Thiam Hiem, Jendral Sudirman, Soekarno, Muhammad Hatta, K.H. Ahmad Dahlan, K.H. Hasyim Asyari, R.M.P. Sosrokartono, Dewi Sartika, H. Agus Salim.

The figures on the bottom are previous mayors of Panggungharjo – Sutrisno, Pawiro Sudarmo, Broto Asmoro, Siti Srimah Sri Zazuli, and H. Jaelani.

Semangat!