Indieguerillas | Fools’lore: Folklore Reload
The first word in the title is a play of words. The term Fools’lore does not exist in the English vocabulary as a single or hyphenated word. Here, it is introduced as a parody of Folklore. The understanding of ‘fool’ here finds its equivalent in the Bahasa Indonesia concept of pandir: stupid, idiotic, humorous, but not without charm. Fools’lore is an epic created by Indieguerillas.
The storylines of fools’lore were born from the artists’ experiences in engaging folklore. Indieguerillas took it as their mission to re-load various traditional folk tales into the contemporary art scene. This intentional reload process is aimed towards unpredictable effects and sensations. These results are achieved through combining signs, compositions, characterization of figures created (or re-created). It is not only done in a single media, but also intermedia. Through this reload process, they grasp an opportunity to present their versions of history. Their attitude is staunch: they refuse to be dictated by history while at the same time responding to and thriving within the popular culture that upholds temporal appearances. In many ways, this fools’lore project is subversive.
As if anxious of the insecurities and uncertainties of life’s impermanency, people seek principles to hold on to. One of their choices is to believe in mythologies. Disregarding authenticity and accuracy of a myth, folk tales are considered reliable by many as guidance for daily life, even among modern society. Myth blends itself into daily activities. Like a mirror, in myth we often find a semblance of precision, compatibility, and similarity between our characters and those in the traditional shadow puppet stories. As the industry of popular-culture grows, heritage such as traditional shadow puppetry is pushed aside, diminishing in popularity. Many folk tales are in danger of dying. They lay asunder, often neglected between a waning past and the people’s pressing needs for signs that hold the promise of fresh forms.
INDIEGUERILLAS
INDIEGUERILLAS, formed in 1999 by Miko Bawono & Santi Ariestyowanti. They have been contributing their works to various art & graphic exhibitions in their home town, Yogyakarta. In 2002, together with other young writers and artist from Yogyakarta, indieguerillas initiated the founding of outmagz, a critical pop magazine.
Miko Bawono
Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia, October 24, 1975
education
Graduated from Department of Interior Design, Visual Art Faculty, Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta Currently Work and Live in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Santi Ariestyowanti
Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, March 21, 1977
education
Graduated from Department of Visual Communication Design, Visual Art Faculty, Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta, Currently Work and Live in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Solo Exhibition
2008
FOOLS’LORE : folklore reload, BIASA artspace, Bali, Indonesia
Group exhibition
2008
- Refresh: New Strategies in Indonesian Contemporary Art, Valentine Willy Fine Art, Singapore
- Hello Print, EDWIN Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Wedding: Loro Blonyo, Gedung Tri Juang, Magelang, Indonesia
- Jawa Baru, Srisasanti Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Freedom, MON DECOR, TBY Yogyakarta, Galeri Nasional, Indonesia
- Perang Kembang, Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- 69 Seksi Nian, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Boys|Girls-Contemporary Art, Youth Life and Culture in Two Parts, EDWIN Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
- STICKERPHIEND Expo, Sticker Art Exhibition, Phoenix, AZ, US 2008
- STICKER EXPO 2008, Sticker Art Exhibition, Curitiba, Brazil
2007
- Lullaby, V-art Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Neo Nation, Jogja National Museum- Biennale Jogja, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Shadows of Prambanan, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- ARTVERTISING, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Insert Character, Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Shout Out, Yogyakarta Arts Festival, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- TEAR OFF | DIY : MIA, Miami International University of Art and Design, Miami FL
- Latex for Fun, Stop the dictatorship of vinyl, Barcelona
- Massive Territory, Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
2006
- Wedding: Tobacco & Art, Gedung Tri Juang, Magelang, Indonesia
2005
- Di Sini & Kini, Sagan Area – Biennale Jogja, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Urban/Culture, CP Biennale 2005, Museum Bank Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Culture Clash, Via via Yogyakarta & Via via Antwerpen, Belgium
2004
- Barcode, Festival Kesenian Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2003
- Exploring Vacuum, Cemeti Art House, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2002
- Signes, Cemeti Art House Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Contributing artist for:
“Latex for Fun, Stop the dictatorship of vinyl :
Designer toys for the people” book published by Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin, Germany
Website : www.indieguerillas.com