Mouthain

Infinity Mouthain

Year : 2023

Media: Mix Media Installation

This artwork is not just a visual creation; it combines visual art with performance art, sound art, and theatre. In our artwork, we aim to merge Joana's and my (Kiky's) thoughts. Joana focuses on drawing on paper and fabric, while I focus on constructing a mountain that will be used in the performance. We also collaborate in the process of creating the mountain and the images.

The word "infinity" in English refers to the concept of something that is boundless or limitless. It is used to describe something that has no end or boundaries, whether in the context of mathematics, physics, or in everyday language. In mathematics, the symbol "∞" is often used to represent the concept of infinity, such as in infinite numbers or infinite series. In everyday language, the word "infinity" can be used to depict something that is immensely vast, endless, or eternal. It is an essential term in understanding various aspects of science and philosophy.

We believe that this research knows no bounds, that is, to understand everything about mountains, even ourselves (Kiky & Joana). How Joana, a European, first experienced Indonesian mountains and saw them in her own way, while Kiky observed Joana observing what had become her surroundings.

The word "Mouthain" is a unique play on words, derived from the combination of "mountain," which signifies a mountain, and "mouth," which means oral. It is a term we coined while exploring the beauty of the mountains and eagerly listening to the oral cultures and myths narrated by the local communities in the mountainous regions. In our adventure, the mountain is not just a magnificent natural landscape; it's also a living story created through the words of the mountain's inhabitants. We aim to merge the elements of the mountain and these oral stories in our artwork, creating something that reflects the beauty of nature, cultural heritage, and myths that are an inseparable part of the mountain environment.

With "Mouthain," we hope to immortalize and share the richness of the oral culture of mountain communities, while celebrating the natural wonders that surround us. It is our endeavor to respect and appreciate the cultural heritage and the natural world that serve as the primary inspiration for our art.

Our artwork, titled "Infinity Mouthaint," takes the form of a mountain, approximately 2 meters tall. Its frame is made from simple bamboo, covered with white fabric that has been colored brown with wet soil. One side of the mountain features an opening that will be used for my (Kiky's) entrance and exit. In the exhibition space, we will spread sand and soil, along with planting native Wonosalam plants. On the walls, we will display some of the drawings that Joana created during her exploration of the surroundings. Joana has also crafted flags from fabric, adorned with her paintings, and these flags will be placed in Polibek encircling the mountain. The paintings and drawings are based on the many personal encounters the artists have had while exploring the region.

The use of flags started as a reference to the common way East Javanese streets are decorated in August in celebration of the Indonesian Independence Day, which visually impacted Joana’s imagination and first impression of the country. However, with time these flags seemed appropriate to originate questions regarding territory and what sort of differences have more influence on inequality. The images depicted on these flags are based on the fact that on a land where mythology seems to remain so alive for one of us, the outsider, it is its presents inhabitants that become mythological and a symbol of the ‘spirit’ of the place. The combination of these two perspectives, brought together by two artists with very different backgrounds, speaks also of the possibility of coexistence for different religious positions and beliefs, a relevant factor for the Hindu influenced nature of Kiky’s performance, explained below.

This artwork represents the mountain as a significant symbol, encompassing both its fearsome aspects, such as its awe-inspiring and mysterious nature, and its revered qualities, as it sustains life for those living nearby. We also portray the mountain as a female figure, akin to a mother nurturing her child, and the child protecting its mother. We offer a contemporary perspective on Goddess Kali, a character I (Kiky) will embody within the mountain. Goddess Kali is a figure from Hindu mythology symbolizing death and the worldly realm, with a terrifying appearance and various attributes. However, we provide a modern interpretation of Goddess Kali, depicting her as an advocate for justice and equality. She aims to change the fate of her people, destroying those who harm her body. We view Goddess Kali as a universal symbol of equality, not just between women and men, but equality in all aspects of life within certain limits.