Written by A Note From the Editor
I foresee that I will be writing many expressions of gratitude with the opening of Manus, a Conscious Journey. Our first collaboration outside the confines of our home. The creative energies and support from many are a testimony to the spirit of community. We are touched by wonder, not sparingly. We’re blessed with an abundance of insightful and brave hearts all around us. They touch us through their honest words, their mesmerising vision, and their generous spirit. It is a testament that art is indeed a bridge. Through it, we can walk along shores that replenish, revive and inspire—enriching us with a profound and simple innocence. For this post, our first of many from the voices within our community, it is an honour to see Manus, a Conscious Journey, through the poetic philosophy of Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi.
A Conscious Journey Alongside a Philosophic Poet
This poetic capture of Manus, a Conscious Journey is written by Dr. Mas Ruscitadewi. Edited and Translated by Dewi Dian Reich
Manus, an Existence born of Non Existence by Mas Ruscitadewi
Five artists from various fields of art active in the Sawidji Artist Collective explore the question ‘what makes us human?’ This is a collaboration titled “Manus, a Conscious Journey” which opened on December 15, 2023, and will be open to the public until February 3, 2024. The exhibition is a Sawidji Collaboration working in partnership with Sudakara Art Space, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia.
The artists involved in the Manus collaboration are Dibal Ranuh, Made Kaek, Nyoman Butur Suantara, Tjandra Hutama, and Dian Dewi. The five artists who have strong, militant and proven “colours” in their respective fields unite and dissolve in “Manus”.
The Artists of Manus and Their Individual Language
Dibal Ranuh’s sharp and brilliant film and videography hit the right target. With the support of the naive and wild energy of Made Kaek’s visual works, framed in the power of ManButur’s photographs with sustained devotion. Together bound by the honesty of conscience in the works of Tjandra Hutama. With all of this embodied in physical artworks that are guided and illuminated in all spaces by Dian Dewi.
Manus, a Conscious Journey was created and exists because the five artists were able to negate the “self”, and set aside their egos. Manus collaboration is perhaps a metaphorical grey colour. The shade is created by the fusion of all their colours equally. A middle colour that allows for all the possibilities of new colours, whether they be lighter or darker.
In “Manus” there is the color of the mind which is fiery red, there is the color of the body which is black that plunges, there is white which is muffled, there is the color which is roaring blue, and there is also the color which is clear yellow.
Image: The Five artists of Manus as the five colours that make up the one whole. As characters built by Dibal Ranuh in Art Film Installation ‘Manus’.
In conclusion, “Manus” is the self that has become, like an eternal natural element from the past. In many ways it is reminiscent of the Panca Pandawa characters in our Wayang epics. It may be said they are characters and qualities which are quickly disappearing, perhaps because everyone wants to win and are adverse to sacrifice their own desires.
And finally, when an artist can lose their attachment to their individual artistry, to exist within destiny, as a carefree child, then he completely becomes a puppet played by the puppeteer brilliantly.
For Manus, My Feelings..
Reflections on Manus Art Collaboration by Mas Rucitadewi
It is important to note that even though Manus collaboration is a unified whole, the works of the artists involved show their characteristics which are very interesting to understand. For example, Made Kaek enters this narrative and his exploration into sculpture, realising his creatures in the physical world left a deep resonance with me.
Third Red Creature Inspired by Kala Api by Made Kaek
There's fire in the body, and many forms appear Prickly thorns of jealousy, standing horns are in the air Fins flipping in the ocean, greedy to conquer space. Three red creatures, with millions of eyes becoming a mass of blindness Bloody angry, the poisonous saps lost.. Incessant words, back-and-forth arguing Ah, what a creature From the middle of nowhere Go SCRAM!
Bara dalam raga, aneka rupa menjelma Duri-duri rasa iri dengki, jadi tanduk di udara Kibas sirip di samudra Keinginan lampaui angkasa Mahluk Merah Ketiga, berjuta-juta mata Jadi mata-mata, yang buta Marah berdarah-darah Getah-getah kalah latah, berbantah-bantah Ah mahluk entah Dari antah berantah Pergi enyah
Firstly, the most vital energy in life is breath. The existence of our breath is called life, with our breath we create. Immersing in the creativity of Dibal Ranuh revealed feelings captured by these words.
The Winding, Winding Road
In life, we breathe In the body the air turns in circles Sometimes it chokes us in the throat The smell of wine stuck in my mouth Inviting laughter, yes laugh out loud... Ringing ears confused with buzzing Bursting in the mind Breathing fire of inspiration Exploding Rarely smoothly This is no straight path The road is winding Undeniable, inescapable.. Run quickly! come back quickly! In the same place again. Image: Video of 'Manus' Art Film Installation by Dibal Ranuh.
As we can see, the breath can be controlled and it can be emptied so that another breath can enter. Likewise, there is a connection between the works of five artists of Manus. With this purpose in mind, they open themselves to each other, new inspirations can fill them.
The Hollow
Image: Sacred Mimicry by ManButur Suantara
Go beyond the hollow, heading towards nothingness and yet it is not empty…
For you Hollow, you hold essence within, that is how it is born.
The emptiness within this body frames the seed. The essence changing, coming and going.
Farmer, civil servant singer, dancer, artist changing clothes at will… He doesn’t admit to being anything special It is just because… of God he says. ..
I call it Hollow,.. a helper in a vacant role.
And Hollow, not empty but this fertile open space, can be filled with many things. Including three types of living fire.
Trignipitaka
Image: Indomitable DisPosition by Dian Dewi
Three fires in the body
a spark, a flame and a roaring mass of red,
Plants, animals, humans
Vary in their heat
The animal fire in human beings
Will have power to rule over all
The plant essence a spark full of gentleness
Human intelligence in consciousness.
The fire, is the burning of endless creativity that fills our spaces and keeps on giving.
Samara
Image: Interchangeable Harmonies by Tjandra Hutama
Prayer and worship work,
Only Universe
The secret love of the universe.
The embers of romance in the soul
Vague in form
a meaningful quiet.
Samara
Most importantly for me, the Manus Collaboration shows creativity that reflects the true nature of love. Towards ourselves, to each other, and art. Toward this end, it is truly a joy to show gratitude through art. I receive the energy of happiness witnessing this. All in all, the collaborative spirit does not end within the exhibition walls. Hopefully, this collaboration will not only give meaning to the five artists but also to all of us who shared the experience.
By Mas Ruscitadewi
To view Manus, a Conscious Journey, visit Sudakara Art Space before 3rd February 2024.
Keep posted for our Artist Talk in January along with special guests, our philosophical poet Mas Ruscitadewi and writer/musician Eric Buvelot.
Related Articles
- https://jakarta.suaramerdeka.com/hiburan/13411174166/manus-a-conscious-journey-di-sudakara-art-space-tampilkan-karya-seni-lima-seniman-lintas-bidang
- https://kabarnusa.com/pameran-kolaborasi-lima-seniman-manus-a-conscious-journey-di-sudakara-artspace-sanur/
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