Public Discussion by Julian Abraham “Togar”, in collaboration with M. Yaser Arafat, Pitra Hutomo, Abdus Somad, and Irfan R. Darajat
Location: Cemeti – Institute for Art and Society
Date: January 9, 2019
Hours: 15:00 – 18:00
The third edition of Ngaji Bunyi–Does Sound Matter?, a series of study sessions focussing on sound, initiated by artist Julian Abraham “Togar” in the context of his solo exhibition ~IIINNNGGG~ at Cemeti. In this event, which also marks the final day of the exhibition, researcher M. Yaser Arafat will share his ongoing research into the influence of Arabic language and culture on Indonesian contemporary society, discussing on the recent wave of Arabic sound and its affect on our everyday lives. Meanwhile, media activists Pitra Hutomo and Abdus Somad will take Ngaji Bunyi’s subtitle ‘Does Sound Matter?’ into the polyphonic political realm, addressing the complex relation between sound, voice, power and resistance. The study session will be moderated by researcher and writer Irfan R. Darajat.
Ngaji Bunyi–Does Sound Matter is part of ~IIINNNGGG~ a solo exhibition by Julian Abraham “Togar” at Cemeti–Institute for Art and Society (until 9 January 2019), which builds on the artist’s ongoing research into the physical, technological, historical and socio-political aspects of sound. For see here for more info about Ngaji Bunyi–Does Sound Matter #1 and Ngaji Bunyi–Does Sound Matter #2.
Speaker Biography
Pitra Hutomo and Abdus Somad
Abdus Somad is a contributor in several national and regional media. Whereas Pitra Hutomo works with the EngageMedia collective, specifically to assist the growth and development of citizen journalism. Together with other colleagues, they took part in filling up an environmental news site called selamatkanbumi.com
M. Yaser Arafat
M. Yasir Arafat, art-culture researcher. Completed S1 in Sociology of Religion UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta (2002-2007) by writing a thesis about Indonesian rock group: Slank. Then he took the UGM Cultural Anthropology master (2011-2013) by writing a thesis on the tradition of reading the Koran in Indonesia. In 2015 the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia was invited to read al-Quran Javanese style at the State Palace of the Republic of Indonesia in the presence of President Joko Widodo, his staff, and representatives of friendly countries. It is active in managing religious and cultural activities at the Jendral Sudirman Mosque in Yogyakarta.
Irfan R. Darajat
Irfan R. Darajat is a writer / researcher based in Yogyakarta. His research focuses on the study of music and politics, as well as the study of popular music. Currently joining LARAS; Studies of Music in Society. His first book was published by PolGov Publisher entitled; “Song of the Nation: Study of Sujiwo Tejo’s Music in Presenting the Discourse on Identity and Nation Character” (2014).
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