Shining a Light on Democracy

How do we talk about democracy to children? How can we unpack a concept that even adults have a hard time grasping?

These are the questions that jumped to my mind when I first learnt that I would be working with Indonesian contemporary artist Eko Nugroho on an installation about democracy for Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019. While Eko is renowned for his distinct characters and motifs inspired by street art and comic books, his wider practice is a satirical reflection on the landscape of Indonesia’s politics and democracy. As such, Eko was excited to respond to the theme of this year’s Biennale (“Embrace”), creating a work that embraces and celebrates the pluralities in life – social background, race, gender, religion or politics.

The process of creating Kenangan Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies) was an illuminating journey that led me to the answers to my questions. Eko executed the concept and design of this interactive installation, while my colleagues and I worked closely with him on the participatory elements of the work.  

“Mummy! I see a ninja!”

“I see corn… oh my god… a spider!” 

A cacophony of exclamations can be heard over the tinkling of gamelan (a traditional Javanese percussion instrument) beats and soothing forest soundscape in the darkened gallery where Kenangan Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies) is installed. The space is illuminated only by the glow of six large, colourful lanterns. Pebble-shaped pillows are scattered inside the largest lantern in the room. Entirely carpeted in green, the installation takes you on a night stroll through a fantastical forest.

These lanterns are inspired by damar kurung, a traditional Eastern Javanese lantern decorated with paintings of everyday life, usually hung during Ramadan. Kenangan Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies) was similarly launched in Ramadan this year. The largest lantern is a communal space under which visitors can gather, while each of the smaller lanterns carries a design that symbolises an aspect of democracy: collaboration, care, equality, peace and love.

Here, it is the intersection of art and interactivity that communicates the concept of democracy. Circular pads dot the floor around each lantern. When visitors step on these pads, a series of changes are activated, visible to all around. In the large lantern, whether you prefer to lie down on the pillows and enjoy Eko’s work or spin the central wheel to rotate the lantern, the choice is yours. The wheel was designed to be challenging for one person to spin – more than two people must work together. The experience is an introduction to the complexities of democracy, distilling its essence into a fun learning opportunity.  

The process of creating this installation was also a wonderful illustration of democracy at work, as there was cooperation and collaboration at every step of the way. My colleagues and I studied Eko’s proposal to conceive associated learning strategies for children. I then worked closely with our exhibition design and production teams to develop a series of actions and the scenography for each lantern. I made two trips to Jogjakarta, Indonesia to speak with Eko: one in November 2018 to discuss preliminary ideas for  interactive movements and scenography, and another in January 2019 to check on the progress of his commission. Whilst there in 2019, I conducted an interview with him on this work, which may be viewed here.

Eko was sensitive to our ideas and adjusted his own designs to harmonise with the interactive tools we had devised. For example, he modified the work to accommodate a gradient of colour-changing lights that would allow children to create shadows like those of wayang kulit (traditional shadow puppetry) on a nearby wall. He also conceived a large mural on the Gallery’s glass entrance at the Padang Atrium titled Tightly Hugging Care, Love and Peace. Comprising coral, leaves and vines, these details peek through the natural light from the sun outside – the perfect accompaniment to the lantern installation in the basement Concourse Gallery.   

This poignant installation has a special place in my heart. It will be difficult to say goodbye when we close the doors on Kenangan Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies) in two weeks time. In the spirit of recalling memories, here are more behind-the-scenes images from the days leading up to the work’s opening: