Wirid Visual Butet Gives Birth to "Melik Ngdong Lali"

Even though Butet has been working on it since 2022, the "Melik Nggendong Lali" exhibition is very relevant to today's socio-political situation.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Butet Kartaredjasa sat among his works at the Fine Arts Exhibition "Melik Nggendong Lali" in Building A, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

After not holding a solo exhibition for some time, Butet Kartaredjasa finally appeared solo again showing his works at Galeri Nasional, Central Jakarta, from 26 April to 25 May 2024.

In this second solo exhibition, Butet displays the results of his spiritual practice in the last 2.5 years in various mediums.

The works displayed are the result of spiritual practice, namely visual remembrance concerning his personal issues, having previously suffered an illness and escaped death twice, causing unrest in the social and political dimensions. All of this is showcased in an exhibition themed "Melik Nggendong Lali".

The title "Melik Nggendong Lali" carries the meaning of an excessive desire to possess, driven by insatiable greed, so that one forgets the rules or laws that must be obeyed. Although the works have been done since March 2022, according to Butet, they have been supported by the universe and have become very relevant to the social and political conditions of today's days.

"What makes it fitting is not me, but the universe that guides the creation of this situation. Then my idea can grow because creative ideas should not stagnate, stop, but rather be alive. They always live in any situation," said Butet at the National Gallery, Jakarta, on Friday (26/4/2024).

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

The audience listened to the address by artist Butet Kartaredjasa during the opening of his solo exhibition entitled "Melik Nggendong Lali" at the front yard of the National Gallery, Central Jakarta, on Friday (April 26, 2024).

Wirid, which in Islamic belief means daily routine remembrance, is interpreted by Butet in her artwork. For the past 2.5 years, she has been practicing visual wirid by repeatedly writing her original name, Bambang Ekolojo Butet Kartaredjasa, on a piece of paper and turning it into various configurations using canvas, cloth, stone, and iron plates.

In addition to writing his name, this artist from Yogyakarta also performs a wirid by writing the word "Nusantara." For him, this is a prayer for the Indonesian nation to always side with and prosper the small people, whatever the circumstances may be.

"This is a sense of gratitude, today we still have our independence, we can still express and articulate our thoughts without any disturbance because we here all believe in values, not serving interests," said Butet.

Also read: Enjoying Indonesia in its antics

The exhibition curator, Asmudjo Jono Irianto, explained that the visual wirid displayed by Butet was a meditative and contemplative self-reflection which was also a healing and suggestion for Butet to have a positive impact in his life. This is in line with the belief in manutiras science, namely the spiritual practice of writing names which has an impact on the worldly, physical and material dimensions.

"Imagine Butet writing her name repeatedly thousands of times with her hand every day, becoming a spiritual practice that impacts the physical dimension. This becomes a meeting point between the spiritual and physical, a sort of effort to awaken the consciousness of the soul and body to unite," said Asmudjo.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

The installation of the statue and painting of Melik Nggendong Lali (2024) in the Fine Arts Exhibition "Melik Nggendong Lali" by Butet Kartaredjasa at Building A, the National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

One work that attracts attention and the attention of visitors' camera cameras is a statue of Petruk, a wayang character, standing in front of a triptych painting filled with the words "Melik Nggendong Lali". This statue is made using fiberglass resin and is 2.2 meters high.

Various assumptions arise from visitors. Some consider the statue as pure art, while others see it as a reflection of a ruler who justifies all means to achieve their desires.

Also read: The Ups and Downs of Butet-Jokowi Relations, When the Artist Criticizes the President...

However, Butet does not want to fence off the meaning in each of her works. The discourse that arises from each visitor is part of a guarantee of freedom of expression in a democratic country.

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Philosopher Father Franz Magnis-Suseno opened the solo exhibition of artist Butet Kartaredjasa titled "Melik Nggendong Lali" at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta on Friday (26/4/2024).

The exhibition was opened by the philosopher Father Franz Magnis-Suseno in front of the National Gallery, witnessed by several artists and Butet's close relatives. Father Magnis believes that Butet's Wirid is a spiritual strength and divine secret that happens to be fitting with today's situation.

“The ruler used his power to take Melik Nggendong Lali. Lali is actually what she is called, that she might also forget about shame. "This means that if people are given power in any form, small or large, it is a responsibility and an honor," said Father Magnis.

Photo gallery: Socio-Political Criticism "Melik Nggendong Lali" by Butet Kartaredjasa at the National Gallery of Indonesia

The vice presidential candidate in the 2024 elections, Mahfud MD, was also present to witness the Butet exhibition. According to Mahfud, the Butet exhibition is a political lesson for society. "That in this life there are evil leaders, there are bad leaders, there are people who understand, there are people who fight. "This is expressed from here," said Mahfud.

The exhibition "Melik Nggendong Lali" by Butet Kartaredjasa will run for a month from April 26 to May 25, 2024 at Gallery A of the National Gallery. The public can enjoy it every day at 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Butet is scheduled to greet and converse with visitors at 10:00 a.m.