“Ratus Ribu/Hundreds of Thousands”

Jompet’s interest in objects and materials connected to the narrative of colonial history is manifested in his research-based art works. In early 2024, Jompet undertook several journeys to trace the transfer of rail tracks from Dutch colonial rule to Japanese control. This shift in power not only impacted the historical narrative and development during the colonial period, but also affected the personal history of Jompet’s family.

In this open studio, Jompet will share the creative process he is currently working on, where he explores history as a resonating space. In the project titled Ratus Ribu / Hundreds of Thousands, he explores various poetic methods to capture the echoes of events and historical narratives that he believes continue to resonate in our daily lives, constantly shaping our perceptions and identities in the present.

During the Open Studio, Jompet also make a public program with Gatot Danar Sulistyanto, “Kuasa Suara (The Power of Voice)” on Nov 21, 2024.

*Open Studio is one of Cemeti – Institute for Art and Society program that focuses on artistic experimentation, and the development of discourse on works by artists. This program is one of the new forms of using the Cemeti Stockroom space which is held regularly and is open to artists, either by invitation or submission of proposals.

Jompet Kuswidananto (b. 1976, Yogyakarta) started his artistic journey as an amateur musician. From 1997-1999, he produced several works of indie music recordings individually and in groups. Since 1998 he has grown together with the collective Teater Garasi, which has had a major influence on his artistic language. After completing his studies at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University in 1999 he studied contemporary art on his own, the early Reformation era also gave Jompet a strong impetus to explore new realities through the language of art. Currently, Jompet works with various mediums such as installation, video, sound, and performance to discuss various themes around Indonesia’s alternative history that ranges from the ghosts of colonialism to nostalgia for the dictatorship.