An Anthology of thought, expression and realisations..
Inspired by the experiences shared with the students of Sushrusa Deaf School, we invited our friends near and far to join in a reflection. Each in their own way to share a part of what they found within themselves when asked to imagine a 'World Without Sound'. From their offering of art and writings we bring together this collection. An anthology of thought and art, in every way, doing our best to learn from this spirit of creativity and inclusivity.
The Spiritual Journey a Silent One..
Our anthology is opened by a reflection 'Mahening Nyepi' by Putu Suasta. And the sharing of his experience undertaking a pilgrimage along the pilgrim's path of Camino De Santiago, also known as the 'Way of St. James. Reflecting that our spiritual path, each individual and spiritual journey is one undertaken in silence. This journey is transcribed by the poet Warih Wisatsana into the piece 'Camino De Santiago'.
My Village is Far From the Crowd.. by Made 'Delo' Budiarta
'My Village is Far From the Crowd' by Made Delo Budiarta. Delos' works employ the classical Kamasan style in raising topics of environmental awareness and traditional values. Primarily for our communities to respect and protect our trees.
Delos' Reflections
Plants have Eka Pramana. Eka Pramana is a living being who only has one aspect of ability in the form of wind, namely energy to live. They can only grow. Animals have Dwi Pramana. Dwi Pramana is a living being who has two aspects of ability, namely bayu and sabda or the energy to live and the ability of voice.
Human beings have Tri Pramana as is taught in Hinduism. This means we have three ways to acquire knowledge and understanding. This is broken down into speaking, moving and thinking.
If we are relating to this theme of a world without sound it is perhaps like eliminating one of these aspects of human beings. Different from an interpretation of silence and solitude.
In Search of Serenity by Tjandra Hutama
'In Search of Serenity' is a digital photographic montage by artist Tjandra Hutama. Tjandra Hutamas' works in digital montage and street photography presents us with alternative perspectives, moving beyond the pictorial.
Tjandras' Reflections
This time I raised the object of a butterfly. In its life cycle after emerging from the pupa, the butterfly uses a distinct auditory organ, called the "tympanal organ", to detect sound vibrations. However, the primary function of the tympanal organ is to assist the butterfly in navigation and discriminate sound frequencies, not to hear sounds traditionally as mammals do.
Butterflies do not like urban noise, noise from vehicles, construction, and other human activities can disturb the butterflies and affect their behavior.
"The instinct to seek peace and happiness is the reference for every human being's life. Avoiding all bad things and maintaining peace of mind is the key to achieving peace and happiness. The butterfly philosophy teaches humans to be more flexible, open, courageous, patient, and respect differences. This is a useful lesson for human life in various aspects of life."
Towards Happiness by Made Artawa
Made Artawa is an artist of the traditional school. However, 'Towards Happiness' is a work from his personal collection that has never been exhibited. It is painted in an abstract expressionist style of a traditional agricultural scene.
Made Artawas' Reflections..
The style of this work is different in style to my other works. Sometimes it is needed to have freedom to express ourselves through this style. We learn to have more courage through this abstract expression to explore colours.. I learned a lot about colour through my painting of abstract.
Painting is like a voice.. but we need silence to hear it. In our minds.. it is already grasped, it already communicates something..So much of art is so independent of sound. What we have is thought and feeling. The world without sound is this process of creation, of inspiration and it moves towards happiness.
Waves of the Heart by Ellen Lane
Ellen Lane is an American Contemporary artist whose works are poignantly sensitive. Her creative career has spanned a variety of mediums. Coming from a multi-media and photographic background with strong commercial roots into abstract and figurative works of an intuitive nature.
Silent Wings by Putu Bonuz
'Silent Wings' is a sculptural work by contemporary artist Putu 'Bonuz' Sudiana accompanied by a verse of poetry. Putu 'Bonuz' Sudiana is a contemporary artist whose abstract works are renowned. However, his works are dynamic and versatile often merging the abstract with the figurative powerful ways.
Putu Bonuz had responded quite spontaneously one evening in creating this figure. Inspired by the shape of the material. As an artist whose works are predominantly painting and drawings, this spontaneous sculptural creation accompanied by poetry is special for our collaboration. During conversations, Putu Bonuz expressed that,
Perhaps it is in the world without sound, the in-between worlds. Perhaps this journey into the beyond, when souls return leaving behind the noise and confusion of the world, they are escorted, and guided by these silent wings.
Tounges of Fire by Made Kaek
'Tounges of Fire' is a contribution by the contemporary artist Made Kaek with his reflections on the theme of 'World Without Sound'. A graduate of law and a self-taught artist. Made Kaek is a creative pillar with pivotal contributions to the landscape of contemporary Indonesian art. Tounges of Fire is part of a new body of works that displays Made Kaeks' enigmatic dimensionality as well as a sharp community consciousness.
Made Kaeks' Reflections
This work is a reflection of how chaotic it is in the real world. In the real world, it is important to also have a silent world. We do need this balance of silence. I see Sawidji's suggestion to contemplate this theme as something very positive. There are many issues in the world. The world of media has a lot of noise. Perhaps we need to contemplate a world with less damaging noise. Less ignorant words.
"I relate this theme to a work I made in 2022. It was made painted during covid. People were in a situation that was very disturbing at the time. In their isolation, there was also a lot of time to reflect. This theme interprets this very well.. that sound and voice need to be well thought of and is worthy of our contemplation."
Silence and Peace by Nyoman Handi
Nyoman Handi Yasa is a contemporary artist whose art explores environmental and social themes on canvas and mixed media platforms. His work is a beautiful fusion of new-generation social consciousness spoken through a visual language that echoes our ancient beginnings.
'Senyap' is Silence
Damai is Peace
In life, there are two things good and bad,.. they always partner with each other. Where there is life there is continuity, there is destruction then there is repair. You cannot draw a general conclusion from singular events.
In a World Without Sound, Nature gives the same to everyone in silence. Without demands from us or expectations. But human beings are different, some can respect others and some are not able to. We need to be aware of balance and equality. Nature's silence does not mean we are on the right path.
Naluri Purba by Made Somadita
Made Somadita is a contemporary artist who mostly works on depicting human figures in imaginative and distorted forms to convey a narrative or message about human values.
My contemplations never stray far from the theme of interconnections. Naluri Purba is actually about my view at the beginning of time. Before human beings began to know about language, I imagine they communicate through visual senses. Their bonds may be strong and instinctive,.. without language, without words. At the beginning of time perhaps communication is not through language.
Silent Chi by Sun Rong Fang
Sun Rong Fang is a contemporary Chinese artist. From 2007 she has explored themes of Chi and portraits along her numerous travels. Sharing her experiences through her work across many countries.
Whispers to the Clouds by Wayan Suastama
'Whispers to the Clouds' is a new work by Wayan Suastama. Since 1995 he has exhibited his works in joint and solo exhibitions, both at home and abroad. In general, his works often feature female figures with soft colours as a symbol of the regenerative and creative force. His new series of which 'Whispers to the Clouds' explores in detail the philosophical theme of 'upstream and downstream' in our relationship to the balance in Nature.
"This connects with the reflection of the world without sound.. inspired by from nature, a phenomenon in nature.. concept for the work is 'Hulu'. This translates to 'upstream'. Where there is upstream there is downstream, where there is a head there are the feet. Very intrinsic to Balinese philosophy on Nature and Balance."
In the quiet , these are the moments we can reflect. As a person who loves nature I think of these whispers in Nature.. When there is change in the seasons.. the clouds still are messengers.. without language or words The clouds are messengers of nature that tells us that it is going to rain.. The world without sound is perhaps where we see Nature's language more clearly. It brings us back to our true selves.
Musical Legends by David Hopkins
David Hopkins, A digital artist, and musician in Marbella, Spain. Working as a DJ, musician, digital artist and designer.
I express my feelings through music and visual creations, striving to create something new and to feel a part of what I create in whatever form, musical or visual. Touching the senses of the viewer, it's all about that feeling, from the moment when you realise you have connected.
"I feel that being an artist is something that one is born to do and not learned at school, through practical experience, learning through trial and error. That creative moment, the energy, the thought, and feeling to create is and always has been rooted in my life."
Melodious Urban by ManButur Suantara
'Melodious Urban' is a new work by ManButur Suantara in response to the theme 'World Without Sound'. An artist, teacher and mentor in the industry for over a decade his contributions to photography are vast. His love for Nature does not only inspire his art but also his environmental and wildlife documentation projects.
Capturing the hustle and bustle of Gajah Mada Street Denpasar, the image was made with multiple exposure techniques. With a combination of 9 images to become one single image. Then there are 25 of these images made up of 9 each.
For some people who live on this busy street, the noise is normal for them. To see the loud exhausts of cars and motorbikes and the horns from traffic 24 hours a day. However, when I ask some people who live there, they don't say it is noisy. they say it is normal.
It seems like they are conditioned to the environment and are on good terms with the noise. By creating this image I am trying to see the world inverted. To be in this activity and relate to the silence and quiet that some people seem to find there.
Lost Signal by Dewi Dian Reich
'Lost Signal' is part of Photography Series of the same name by Dewi Dian Reich. Writer, artist and photographer.
My Grandfather is ageless, his vision sharp and wisdom deep
Topeng Tuli by Kadek Sudiasa
Kadek Sudiasa is a traditional dancer especially of the Bali Mask Dance, Gamelan musician, wood carver and mask maker. He also has a unique skill in playing and making the Balinese Rebab.
Topeng Tuli is part of Topeng Bondres. It was performed in the past as entertainment. Revealing those with a disability were often ridiculed.
Those who can not hear, do not think lightly or less of them.. because they have something extra, something special that other people may not have. God's creation is full of balance and fairness. If they do not have enough in their power of hearing.. they have something else that is extra that we may not see.
Without words and commotion , there are many messages and movements that are chanted . Not understood by many, there is a conversation without words. Sounds that the ears cannot hear, but it can be seen and felt by the eyes and heart ~ Juniari
'I Love You' by Agung Putra
'I Love You' by Agung Putra is poem recited at the opening of Sanggar Sushrusa Art Photography Exhibition at the Dharma Negara Alaya Art Centre in March 2023. Celebrating inclusivity and power of collective action and effort towards a community of true inclusivity.
Karena gambar warna dan gerakan mampu bercerita lebih jujur dari kata kata. Lalu apalah makna suara bila dipenuhi kebohongan?
Because colourful images and movement can tell a more honest story than words. Then, what is the meaning of words if it is filled with lies?
Dunia hening memiliki keindahannya sendiri. Hiruk pikuk mereka senyap dalam gerakan2 dinamis penuh makna.Makna kata terungkap dalam gerak tangan, tubuh dan ekspresi wajah.
The silent world has its own beauty. Their bustle is silent with movements full of meaning. The meaning of words is revealed in the movements of hands, body and facial expressions.
Lalu apa peduli kami dengan suara? Dunia tanpa suara adalah dunia kami. Kami mendengarkan pedulimu dalam lelaku yang nyata.
So what do we care about sound? The world without sound is our world. We listen to your care and it is real.
Bukankah sebuah tindakan kecil seringkali lebih berarti dari kata kata tanpa laksana. Terimalah salam cinta kami dg jari tengah dan jari manis yang menekuk kedalam. I love you!
Isn't a small action more meaningful than words without action? Please accept our greetings of love with our bended fingers. I love you!
Special Acknowledgements and Deepest Thanks
A special thank you for the inspiration and experience we all shared with the wonderful Sushrusa Deaf School Community, Ibu Agung Mirah Maheswari and the Corti Foundation. Our experience continues to inspire our cultivation of the spirit of true inclusivity within our community.
To all our artists and writers, whose creativity, thoughtfulness and open sharing made this gathering of minds and creative sharing a special experience for all of us. One that is rich with insight and learning. A special thank you to Pak Putu Suasta for his shared experiences and reflections on his special journey of Camino De Santiago and PakWarih Wisatsana for the inclusion of his beautiful poetry that celebrates this spiritual pilgrimage.
Credits:
This presentation is brought to you by Sawidji Gallery