indieguerillas

This Hegemony Life, 2012

The multidisciplinary practice of the Indonesian artist duo indieguerillas is characterised by its unique interweaving of traditional values and contemporary perspectives. Their creative process is a method of self-reflection and self-criticism. In their works, they deal with the alienation, negotiation as well as redefinition of traditions in the context of an increasingly urbanised, capitalist and technological society. In doing so, they challenge young people in particular to engage with history and culture as well as their instrumentalisation by various interest groups.

In This Hegemony Life, the indieguerillas take up Raden Saleh’s depiction of the arrest of Diponegoros, who worked with European techniques and materials. With their interpretation of his painting in the style of the comic series Tintinby the Belgian cartoonist Hergé (1907–1983), they refer to the ongoing penetration of daily life in Indonesia by the West. At the same time, they want to bring Indonesian history closer to a younger audience.

The artist couple Santi Ariestyowanti and Dyatmiko “Miko” Bawono (born in 1975 & 1977 in Indonesia/ live and work in Yakarta, Indonesia) from Indonesia became the “indieguerillas” in 1999. The duo’s unique multidisciplinary practice interweaves traditional techniques and contemporary culture, reflecting the reality of Javanese people struggling to find their way in a fast-paced consumer society. Their art-making process itself is a ritual of self-criticism and a method of self-reflection.