Manus Logo Sawidji Exhibition

Manus, a Conscious Journey

Manus a Conscious Journey, a Sawidji Collaboration. A multi-disciplinary art exhibition from 15th December 2023 to 3rd February 2024. In partnership with Sudekara Art Space. Featuring artists Dibal Ranuh, Made Kaek, ManButur Suantara, Tjandra Hutama and Dian Dewi.

Manus, a Conscious Journney

Manus is a latin word first used in 1867 which means the distal segment of the vertebrate forelimb from carpus to terminus, in other words, the hand. In scientific discourse, it is often said that the human opposable thumb is what has taken us on a course of evolution very different from other animals. So, Manus is contextualised here as a symbolic representation of the question.. What makes us human? 

All things considered, is it our ability to express ourselves in complex communication systems, our imagination and our reason? Are these all aspects of what makes human beings unique? Manus, a Conscious Journey unites five artists,  in their exploration and discourse of this question. 

In truth, a question that by nature is intangible and mysterious, irrefutably paradoxical, boundless and obscene,.. like an attempt to map all the rabbit holes in the world connecting into one giant maze. All in all, it is a visual foray, a journey exploring our own perceived notions of consciousness. Sharing our creative process whilst reflecting this humbling and yet simple question.. what is humanity?

With this intention in mind, we invite you to join us through our collaborative process, on a journey we made together,  reflecting on the micro and macro whilst following our wandering minds along many detours. Yet, we found the process itself and our experience together, may be said to carry the answer to the unanswerable question.

In other words, in the process of this collaboration, our effort, this seemingly pointless endeavour to create, to connect, to express, to empathise, to understand, to analyse.. to love and be excited, to drive and generously give.. so much of all those simple things, does not explain, but it reveals.. the unique aspects of our humanity.

The Spirit of Teamwork Nurtures the Wonder of Art

This exhibition brings together the poignantly bizarre world of Made Kaeks’ Cryptic Creatures into a round table of five visual artists. The poetic precision of ManButurs’ photography, the social conscientiousness within Tjandra Hutama’s discerning digital media and the elemental visual creativity of art film director Dibal Ranuh, along with the haunting conceptual interpretations of Dian Dewi’s work. 

In conclusion, the exhibition is presented with independent works from each artist as well as collaborative pieces. At times exploring established theoretical references from Balinese Hindu Philosophy that elaborates on the capacities that are bestowed on living beings. The dialogue circles back to aspects of dualism present in both Western and Eastern philosophies that address opposites, finite versus infinite, Sekala Niskala, the world of material things versus intangible nothingness.

Manus a Conscious Journey, Meet the Artists

Another key point is that the five artists of Manus, a Conscious Journey come from a variety of different educational and creative backgrounds. All in all, merging a wide range of personal experiences, professional practice and technical applications into the collaboration. It is important to note that the multi-disciplinary process amongst the artists is as much the thematic highlight of this exhibition as the finished art itself.

Manus Artist Made Kaek Sawidji Art Exhibition

Made Kaek

Made Kaek’s creatures step out of the canvas and join the world in Manus, a Conscious Journey. For the first time marking a new chapter in his personal creative journey. His raw intuitive creations, a visual allegory of human psychology in its primitive form.

Manus a Conscious Journey Sawidji Collaboration

Dibal Ranuh

A creative powerhouse in art performance and creative film direction, Dibal Ranuh of Kitapoleng explores a more personal process through Manus Collaboration. Creating a visual testimony of the contemporary human through a colour representation of the different aspects of our individual identities.

Manus a Conscious Journey Sawidji Collaboration

ManButur Suantara

ManButur Suantara is a fine art photographer, whose technical mastery encompasses many genres. Foremost, with a love of natural scapes and a close study of culture and wildlife, he arrives at a visual statement of conscious behaviours through a visual mosaic much like the puzzle of life.

Manus a Conscious Journey Sawidji Collaboration

Tjandra Hutama

A visual designer, photographer and influencer in Bali’s active photography community. With discerning social conscientiousness permeating through his digital mixed media, Tjandra explores social and cultural values that reflect our collective consciousness today and address issues brought upon by technological changes.

Manus a Conscious Journey Sawidji Collaboration

Dian Dewi

Dian Dewi, inspired by elements of Balinese Hindu Philosophy explores conceptual symbolism through photography, sculpture and light. Foremost, it expresses the universality and interconnectedness of all living beings.

Manus A Conscious Journey Mas Ruscitadewi

MANUS

Art Catalogue

Where to find us

Without delay, Manus a Conscious Journey is exhibiting at Sudakara Art Space from December 15th 2023 until February 2024. To sum it all up, it is an exhibition celebrating the interlacing creativity of Manus, through painting, sculpture, film, photography and performance!

Behind the Scenes

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