Activity name: Dibuang Sayang – Public event at Rijksakademie
Total number of participants: 350
The term ‘dibuang sayang’ is often used in the Indonesian social and cultural context, to refer to the habit of keeping or not throwing away items that still may be useful, even though they are no longer currently being used. In the context of sustainable strategies in archiving, the practice of ‘dibuang sayang’ can have a significant impact. On the one hand, storing too many documents or archives that are no longer relevant or needed can lead to a waste of resources, such as storage space, time, and energy. On the other hand, throwing away too many documents or archives can also potentially waste valuable information that may be needed to further other interests.
In Reza Afisina’s studio at the Rijksakademie Open Studios, visitors will encounter the concept of ‘Dibuang Sayang’ manifested through solidarity, sharing, gathering, and conversation among the Rijksakademie resident community. This space, akin to a living room, is always open and intended for rest, allowing residents to use it at any moment during the Open Studios. It also serves as a resting/caring space for their plants and as an informal storage room where artists can safely keep traces of their creative processes while their studios are on display.
Sharing this ‘living archive’ illuminates the Rijksakademie as more than just a collection of studios; it reveals it as a vibrant residency space. This approach underscores the material and affective connections that grow within the shared living practices of the community. By presenting the studio as a dynamic, communal environment, Reza Afisina emphasizes the importance of the relationships and interactions that flourish in the residency, celebrating the collective spirit and the supportive network that defines the Rijksakademie experience.
Reza Afisina:
Reza Afisina, a new media artist based in Depok, West Java (ID), incorporates performance art into his creative endeavours. He served as ruangrupa’s program coordinator from 2003 to 2007 and has been directing ruangrupa’s ArtLab, since 2008. Alongside ruangrupa, he acted as the artistic director of documenta fifteen 2022 in Kassel (DE). Two years prior, he co-activated ruruHaus, with Iswanto Hartono, also from ruangrupa, a living room space aimed at engaging with the ecosystem of Kassel.
Additionally, ruangrupa, SERRUM, and Grafis Huru Hara, forming the collective studies of contemporary art ecosystem known as Gudskul, in Jakarta (ID).