5 Dimensions of Change

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

5 Dimensions of Change. What does that mean exactly?

Militant Arts was formed out of the first flush of digital behaviours. In 2010 In the boom of chat groups, the groups of artists that we know as Militant Arts today emerged out of a BBM chat group (BlackBerry Messenger to be exact). Growing in the world of Blackberry they became official five years later. Even at the beginning, despite their daunting name, pure social gregariousness is truly the character of this group’s inception.

This togetherness is what is attractive about Militant Arts. Our commitment is creating work and that togetherness. It is a family, and that is not easy to do for people in our age group. For us to be joking around and finding meaningful moments, joking but serious. Sometimes the humor is so out of place but there is something inside that has value and meaning.
_{~Made Duatmika}

Idealism, Change and Identity

They have earned a reputation for being true to their creative ideals. In addition to that, they are often producing works that are experimental and non-conformist. In other words, true artists and not art by order. Going on 15 years later, how much have they changed? Are they in essence still the same as they were? Do these ideals still stand as the central pillar of Militant Arts? Have they succumbed to the effects of a climate change of identity?

We may point out why it’s appropriate to talk about change. Militant Arts have come together now for a group exhibition titled 5 Dimensions of Change, exploring another type of change (climate change). They were invited by Labyrinth Art Gallery to exhibit. To comment on a theme centred on the drastic changes that Bali is facing today. At first, that topic seems a little repetitive to most of our ears. We have become very acclimatised to hear the many issues related to climate change, that there is no sense of shock anymore.

A Changing Discourse

However, if you have ever sat amongst the Militant boys (I mean, technically, grown men).. you’ll be amazed at the speed at which a seemingly benign conversational topic can explode into many different directions, through their humorous wordplay. The same fate met the topic of ‘climate change’.

It is a phrase mentioned often, perhaps too often. A topic that is sure to generate an audience. Bound to be a relevant and important topic for anyone who wants to be relevant and important. Hence, it is the number one ranking topic to discuss in many political campaigns, non-profit organisations’ bids for sponsorship etc, etc. However, the reality is, talking about caring, does not equal caring.

Since these guys are not very good at pretending to care, they opt to look at it from a different perspective. The fifth dimension. What does this mean? No one can deny the damage in the world. No one can deny that we continue to make this damage with open eyes, and open pockets. It seems that there is a suitable price to be received that justifies this damage.

This is not an accusation, it is simply acceptance. With these discussions, this is where surprising pearls of wisdom emerge, through a seemingly errant nonchalance. Exploring the theme ‘effects of climate change in Bali’, to be frank, felt like being in high school again. Working on a science assignment.

An Old Assignment

Here we are present day, perhaps the hole in the ozone has not repaired itself, but we have better sunblock. The island of waste in the ocean as big as Texas, has certainly not gotten smaller, but they may begin tours there as a travel destination of interest. Those with enough concern and money, have put out ideas about space travel. Building living estates on other planets, in case the rubbish problem just got too big that we need to leave the earth. Today, we are not simply talking about waste in the ocean, we are also talking about plastic accumulating in our bodies. Humans and plastics have an inseparable romance.

A Balance of Wisdom and Folly

So, despite the many ironies, the revelation is clear and not funny at all. The effects of climate change are not an effect, but perhaps a result. The effect of human choices and behaviours. We are not receivers of natural changes and disasters. We are the perpetrators of the most unnatural behaviours, which are often disastrous. This is the wisdom uncovered amongst the nonsense we talk about.

Because it is very intrinsic within Balinese consciousness (a social and cultural collective consciousness) that reality manifests from the mind. Let us take this to their most popular traditional principle, the Tri Hita Karana. That of the relationship between human beings and human beings, Nature and God. A fundamental interrelationship that needs to be nurtured in a balanced way. If this is applied in life correctly, then we achieve balance and ultimately, harmonious sustainability.

Imaginary Realities?

The irony is that if most of Bali is truly living by this principle, we would not have an exhibition based on ‘the effects of climate change in Bali’. We have this exhibition and these artworks because there is no possible way that Bali is living by the Tri Hita Karana. The Militant Artists took this opportunity to pass their message. The effects of climate change are not simply about waste and recycling. It has wider implications within the social, political, environmental and spiritual worlds.

“Seeing Bali’s rapid development, especially in the tourism sector, on the one hand, I feel happy, but on the other hand, I feel uneasy, scared, and anxious. Lifestyle changes, the environment is torn apart and ravaged. Art, culture, and religion are starting to become contaminated. Politics is also changing the way people think and behave, with the fear of speaking out… as if there is a restraint on desires. In my mind, will Bali remain the Bali that it is? Will Bali become a Bali that is disrupted by interests, making Bali no longer Bali?” _{~Gusti Buda}

Several works in this exhibition seem to point to an imaginary reality. Imaginary landscapes, imaginary fish, and even a hypothetical merging of all the world’s dimensions. Why are we looking at hypothetical worlds when the theme is a very real and tangible one? Climate change is real, rubbish is real, and deforestation is real,.. why are we imagining things? There are paintings of beastlike human forms from Putu Bonuz and a colony of bees in a painting ‘Abstraction of Bees’.. 

We conclude that the absurdity is not in their works, the absurdity is in the reality of the world that we have created. It all comes back to us. What we like about it is that they did not reject the high school topic of ‘climate change’. But they certainly chewed it up, spat it out, and made it into their discussion. Perhaps this is why it is imperative to safeguard creative environments. Is this not one of the truest forms of freedom? Whereby a thought can truly be a seed with a chance to manifest into something good, insightful, and possibly wise?

The Changing Climate of Militant Artists

In Militant Arts themselves, personally and individually, they have also experienced changes. Absurd and ordinary. They got older, got married, had kids. The untethered freedom of some 15 years ago has possibly changed. The requirements to pay for school fees, weddings, and grandkids certainly may impact the temperament and commercial viability of their aesthetic style. Living in one of the world’s most desirable travel destinations? How has all this impacted the Militants? Are they immune to the seduction of easy living? They all have their answers, and they are not shy.

To say that they have not changed would be a lie. They are as much impacted by the heating up of the climate outside and within. Yet,..there is a charm here.. an honest one. When they choose to hold no bars barred,.. they have been known to go all out. I think they are at 60% here of their ammunition. Taking into consideration the commercial viability of the location. Looking at the potential audience and not wanting to burn any bridges.

The Constancy of Militant Arts

Hence why, we are looking at change through the 5th dimension. The dictionary says that the fifth dimension is spatial much like the 3d one (height, length width).. but it is defined as a conceptual, micro dimension of space  In theory, it’s a plane of spacetime that’s curved in on itself so tightly, the entire dimension is a loop smaller than an atom. The fifth dimension represents a higher level of spiritual consciousness and evolution. Most importantly it is a plane of unity, love, and interconnectedness. In this dimension, there is a sense of oneness and harmony with all of creation.

Even though the Militants are bearing the marks of time and change, it is fair to say that the essence and character of Militant Artists have remained constant. This itself is a rarity and a gem. Individually they may have succumbed, but together, they have one fortress of idealism where they can still stand straight and true.

Special Thanks Thank you to all the Militant Arts artists for sharing their insights, humour and experience with us. Congratulations on 5 Dimensions of Change, may it continue to provoke growing awareness and inspiring creativity. For Labyrinth Art Gallery and Batu 8 Studio and their collaborative support.