Raised phallic objects. The trunks are made of projectiles, the testicles from human heads. Around them, hung and scattered, were women’s underwear.
“This is a representation of sexual violence against women in Papua by the Indonesian military,” said Ayos Purwoaji, curator of the Biennale Jogja XVI Equator #6 2021, regarding the installation in “Koreri Projection” by Udeido Collective.
The explanation was given to the participants of the Oceanian Ethnography course from the UGM Cultural Anthropology S-1. This activity was held on Wednesday (27/10) at 03.30 p.m. The field study group consisted of eight participants, plus Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi as a lecturer in charge of the course.
“Artworks don’t exist in a vacuum so they can reflect the socio-political context of the artist,” said Zamzam.
Zamzam’s statement is a pretext for his hopes related to this field study, namely about the relevance of Oceanian Ethnographic texts and works of art with Oceania themes. However, defining the meaning of Oceania is a separate discourse.
“The Oceania Ethnography course is dominated by exposure to the culture of the Pacific islands,” said Abiyyi Yahya Hakim, a participant in the field study.
This is an interpretation of Oceania that according to Ayos, needs to be challenged.
“Who and what is Oceania? Often we define Indonesia as Southeast Asia, even though the eastern part has close cultural relations with Oceania,” said Ayos shortly before entering the Main Building.
Regarding the relevance of the lecture material, Abiyyi leans towards the chapter on sexuality. Abiyyi has an alternative impression instead of reflecting the idea of the ”Island of Love” which, according to Zamzam’s words before entering the Main Building, is dominant.
“Sexual violence is the most striking impression,” he explained.
Similar to Abiyyi, Novita Cahyani, who is also a participant in the field lecture, have a deep impression of the work of the Udeido Collective.
“It’s unimaginable,” she said about the impression she got from the installation. It’s not just a matter of gender equality. To her, sexual violence against Papuan women cannot be justified.
It was sunset. The sky darkened. The field study group looked for a bright place to gather. Sitting in a circle on the Main Stage of the Jogja National Museum (JNM), they reflected on their findings during their recent visit.
“In the end, I thought, this is the role of anthropology. Helping people understand their identity and problems,” said Akhe Salsabila, a participant in the field lecture.
