Indah Arsyad The Ultimate Breath
Indah Arsyad © KHM-Museumsverband, Daniel Sostaric
Indah Arsyad’s solo exhibition The Ultimate Breath centers on breathing as a powerful metaphor for urgent global challenges such as environmental pollution and climate change. Bringing together art, science, technology, and culture, the exhibition explores the intersections of mythology and technological innovation, underscoring the vital role both play in sustaining balance within the universe.
The exhibition stems from the artist’s deep concern about climate change and environmental pollution. In her works, Arsyad breathes new life into symbols of Javanese mythology and culture – wayang, gamelan, and traditional songs. The gunungan symbol, which represents balance in nature, features particularly prominently in her work. Symbols such as the deity Batara Kala, the waves of the ocean, and the Kalpataru tree reflect the interconnectedness of all life. They draw parallels with photosynthesis, which connects the sun, plants, and phytoplankton as sources of oxygen on Earth.
Technology and science are constantly improving our understanding of environmental problems. However, Arsyad reminds us that this is not enough to solve these problems. Rather, a combination of technology, deep respect for nature, and ancient knowledge is needed. These parallels between Western science and local knowledge play a central role in Indah Arsyad’s work.
The main work in the exhibition is an immersive video installation: accompanied by the sounds of the Javanese instrument bonang, as well as dialogues and songs, Javanese mythological symbols are projected as animations based on real-time data on river pollution in Indonesia.
The project is a powerful reminder that maintaining a balance between humans and nature is essential for collective survival. Although the themes Arsyad explores are specific to Indonesia, they transcend geographical boundaries and convey a universal message that is highly relevant to today’s world.