The Earth can take it no more: Artist<\/p>\n
By Tedy Novan and Tarko Sudiarno<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Soil is the subject of a piece by
\ninstallation artist and painter Heri Dono. To many, the land is a
\nmatter of life and death -- when landowners of single plots must
\nmake way for hotels, golf courses and housing complexes, life
\nvirtually ends for them.<\/p>\n
In the end, according to the artist, the soil itself
\nprotested. On April 13, Heri transported six cubic meters of
\nearth from the slopes of Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount
\nMerapi, to the northern square of the Yogyakarta keraton
\n(palace).<\/p>\n
The soil moving was conducted in a procession calling on the
\nspiritual keeper of Merapi, Mbah (grandparent) Marijan.<\/p>\n
The mounds of soil are still sitting there in representation
\nof Yogyakarta's ancestors conducting topo pepe: crowds protesting
\nin silence against their king under sun and rain in the middle of
\nthe square facing the keraton.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow, Heri plans to take the soil back to Mount Merapi.<\/p>\n
Mount Merapi, the Yogyakarta keraton and the Indian Ocean
\nsouth of Yogyakarta form what is believed to be the macrocosmos
\nof Yogyakarta's traditional community.<\/p>\n
This action is Heri's participation in a wide range of
\nactivities called Ruwatan Bumi (Earth-cleansing rituals), which
\nis ongoing in several cities to April 30. The activities,
\ncoordinated by artists and activists, are being held to call on
\nthe public's awareness and creativity in response to the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"This is a form of outcry of the Merapi land, as a symbol of
\nstruggle against capitalists who arbitrarily destroy the
\nenvironment,\" said Heri, who has had several of his pieces
\nexhibited abroad.<\/p>\n
At Yogyakarta's Indonesian-French Institute, the same artist
\nhas brought a silent and suffocating impression to the exhibition
\nroom. Five structures of bricks 50 centimeters high are glued
\ntogether with earth from Mount Merapi. From the middle of the
\nstructures a recording is heard of various animals and insects.<\/p>\n
The impression given is a pristine natural setting but, added
\nwith the poignant flooring of dry leaves, a reminder of barren
\ntrees.<\/p>\n
Heri adds drama to the atmosphere by showing slides depicting
\nflames which seem to burn four sets of small gongs. When struck,
\nthey produce monotones. Traditional culture consumed by flames
\nmight be Heri's message.<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta was colored by several other performances and
\ndisplays this month, all part of the earth-cleansing activities.<\/p>\n
Street children of the Girli (river bank) group staged
\nAngkringan under a bridge on April 19.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow, the Association of Indonesian Street Minstrels and
\nthe Panigoro Theater group are scheduled to perform at Taman
\nBudaya (Cultural Park), Yogyakarta.<\/p>",
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