Silsilah
~ White Tiger

                     
A project from Transcultural Collaboration 2022 @Galeri Lorong, Yogyakarta, Indonesia



During the 9-week residency in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as part of the Transcultural Collaboration 2022, the work delved into the myth of Siluman (shape-shifter), originating from the area surrounding Indonesia's Mount Merapi. The White Tiger of Mount Merapi is seen as a mythical figure and protective spirit, believed by locals to embody those lost to volcanic eruptions—souls transformed into guardians for the villages beneath the volcano.

Further research revealed that Siluman is a figure with a fluid identity, understood and interpreted differently across local communities. Its form and behavior vary from village to village, reflecting diverse cultural perspectives. The hidden history and fluidity of interpretation sparked a deep interest.

The interpretation focuses on the fluidity of collective memory, the Siluman myth, and the intersection of myth and geography. The work explores how this myth arises from people's longing to connect with the past and what has passed away. Additionally, it investigates how collective memory can be transformed into a figure or object. Through this exploration, the aim is to provoke contemplation on the nature of myth, memory, and cultural identity.