Lifepatch: Art, Science, and Communal Knowledge in Indonesia
An essay by Rosalia Namsai Engchuan in Afterall Journal 51 examines the Indonesian art collective Lifepatch, founded in 2012 in Yogyakarta. Lifepatch promotes cross-disciplinary work in art, science, and technology through DIY and DIWO (Do It With Others) principles. Key projects include the Jogja River Project (2013–ongoing), monitoring water quality and organizing safe fruit wine fermentation workshops with Gadjah Mada University. The collective's practice embodies gotong royong, a communal labor ethos, and challenges Western-centric notions of technology. In 2017–18, Lifepatch presented 'The Tale of Tiger and Lion' at M HKA in Antwerp, engaging with colonial artefacts from Sumatra. Their work 'Spectacular Healing' (2019), commissioned for 'On the Nature of Botanical Gardens' at Framer Framed in Amsterdam, explores traditional healing and decolonization. The essay discusses tensions between institutionalization and collective improvisation, highlighting Lifepatch's ongoing engagement with communities in Sumatra.
Key facts
- Lifepatch was founded in 2012 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
- The collective promotes DIY and DIWO (Do It With Others) approaches.
- Jogja River Project started in 2013 and is ongoing.
- Lifepatch collaborated with Gadjah Mada University's Microbiology Laboratory.
- The Tale of Tiger and Lion was presented at M HKA, Antwerp from 16 Sep 2017 to 7 Jan 2018.
- Spectacular Healing was commissioned for a show at Framer Framed, Amsterdam from 24 Jan to 16 Aug 2020.
- Gotong royong is a key concept for the collective's communal labor.
- The essay is part of Afterall Journal 51, published 11 Apr 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Rosalia Namsai Engchuan
- Nur Akbar Arofatullah
- Timbil Budiarto
- Agung Firmanto B.
- Sita Magfira
- Andreas Siagian
- Nopel Basuki
- Hafiz Rancajale
- Irwan Ahmett
- Manguji Nababan
- Grace Samboh
- Donna J. Haraway
- Fred Moten
- Stefano Harney
- Yuk Hui
- Michel-Rolph Trouillot
- Félix Guattari
- Boaventura de Sousa Santos
- Bruno Latour
- James Lovelock
- Lynn Margulis
- Lauren Berlant
- Gerald Raunig
- Gene Ray
- Édouard Glissant
Institutions
- Afterall
- Afterall Journal 51
- Lifepatch
- Forum Lenteng
- KUNCI
- ruangrupa
- Gadjah Mada University
- M HKA – Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp
- Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
- Framer Framed
- Hackteria
- Hyphen
- Japan Foundation Asia Center
- Whiteboard Journal
Locations
- Indonesia
- Java
- Yogyakarta
- Antwerp
- Sumatra
- Lake Toba
- Leiden
- Medan
- Amsterdam
- Bandung
Sources
- Afterall —