Maryanto
Nek Wani Ojo Wedi-Wedi, Nek Wedi Ojo Wani-Wani (If You Dare, Don’t be Half-Hearted, if You are Afraid, Don’t Act as if You are Brave), 2021
Tent installation with sound, charcoal on canvas
200 x 400 cm
The existence of Mount Merapi is not only seen as a geological phenomenon but also believed to have a life of its own as a kingdom. The belief in the existence of creatures that guard the nature of Mount Merapi is reflected in the collection of stories that are often passed down through story-telling to the next generation as a form of transmission of knowledge on the ways, behavior, and reading signs of nature around Mount Merapi. The title Nek Wani Ojo Wedi-Wedi, Nek Wedi Ojo Wani-Wani (If you dare, don’t be half-hearted, if you are afraid, don’t act as if you are brave) refers to one such story, a Javanese expression that infers to always measure one’s strength and determination in making decisions.
Ojo Adigang Adigung Adiguna (Don’t be Arrogant, Stubborn, nor Possess the Desire to Always Conquer), 2021
Charcoal on canvas
200 x 350 cm
Landscape of a river that became the flow of Mount Merapi’s volcanic material with various human tools and the massive sand mining activity after the big eruption in 2010. The lanes of the truck roads became part of the landscape that stretched along the river, and became a manifestation of the arrogance of humans who desire to colonize and conquer nature. The title Ojo Adigang Adigung Adiguna (Don’t be Arrogant, Stubborn, nor Possess the Desire to Always Conquer) acts as a warning so that humans don’t act arrogantly, stubbornly, nor possess the desire to always conquer.
Sapa Seneng Ngrusak Ketentremane Alam lan Liyan Bakal Dibendhu deneng Pangeran lan Dielehke dening Tumindhake Dhewe #1 (For Those who Disturb the Nature and Supernatural Beings will be Punished by God, and Get Karma for Their Own Actions #1), 2021
Charcoal on canvas
200 x 150 cm
The title of this work refers to a saying of the spiritual custodian of Mount Merapi: “For those who disturb the nature and supernatural beings will be punished by God, and get karma for their own actions”. This is a message relayed by the custodian of Mount Merapi as a reminder of the balance needed between the existence of humans, nature, and nature’s guardians, a warning for where the presence of mining manifests as a disruption of the balance of nature.
Sapa Seneng Ngrusak Ketentremane Alam lan Liyan Bakal Dibendhu deneng Pangeran lan Dielehke dening Tumindhake Dhewe #1 (For Those who Disturb the Nature and Supernatural Beings will be Punished by God, and Get Karma for Their Own Actions #2), 2021
Charcoal on canvas
200 x 250 cm
The title of this work refers to a saying of the spiritual custodian of Mount Merapi: “For those who disturb the nature and supernatural beings will be punished by God, and get karma for their own actions”. This is a message relayed by the custodian of Mount Merapi as a reminder of the balance needed between the existence of humans, nature, and nature’s guardians, a warning for where the presence of mining manifests as a disruption of the balance of nature.
Sing Bahurekso Gunung Merapi (The Sovereign of Mount Merapi), 2021
Charcoal on canvas
200 x 200 cm
The eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010 was a significant milestone of its volcanic activity for it was the biggest eruption of Mount Merapi in a decade.This eruption hit with effect in two directions.Towards the west, cold lava flow in the form of volcanic material flooded and destroyed several houses and bridges in the Kali Putih flow. Towards the southeast, hot lava flows hit 13 villages, killing hundreds of inhabitants, including the custodian of Mount Merapi, who had served its spirit for decades. The title of the work Sing Bahurekso Gunung Merapi (The Sovereign of Mount Merapi) refers to the sayings the locals say every time a volcanic eruption occurs: the sovereign of Mount Merapi is “having a ceremony”.
Siti Panguripan (Land of Life), 2021
Charcoal on canvas
200 x 150 cm
The eruption of Mount Merapi is believed to be a blessing for local residents in the form of volcanic material which can be a source of livelihood. At the same time, the massive extractive, and exploitative sand mining activities that occur along the river threaten river slopes adjacent to water sources and fields. The title Siti Panguripan (Land of Life) refers to an agrarian culture that believes that soil is a source of livelihood. On the other hand, the artist believes that the volcanic material in the form of sand is also a type of ‘soil’ that provides a livelihoods.
Urip Iki Soko Sopo? (Who Gives Life?), 2021
Tent Installation with Sound
200 x 300 cm
Sand mining is one of the reasons behind the destruction of nature along the river at the slope of Mount Merapi. Massive mining activities are considered as a form of non-compliance with natural mechanisms in preparing for sustainable human needs. As a form of resistance to exploitative forms of mining, nature often gives warnings that should be able to stop this mining. These warnings can come in the form of mudflows that drown trucks, or even often take the lives of miners. The title Urip Iku Soko Sopo? (Who gives life?) refers to the awareness of the presence of a greater power beyond oneself and the One that created life.
