Ruangrupa Accelerates Activist Agenda for documenta 15 Amid Global Crisis
In early 2019, the Indonesian collective ruangrupa was selected as the curator for documenta fifteen, set to take place in 2022. Established in 2000 by Ade Darmawan, Hafiz, Ronny Agustinus, and others, the collective has pioneered the lumbung model for sharing resources communally. Member farid rakun highlights the urgency of the current global situation, describing it as "winter comes early," which has led to a swift implementation despite challenges in travel. Ruangrupa intends to utilize documenta's budget to empower local art organizations and foster international connections. Initiatives include Gudskul producing healthcare supplies and RURU Shop offering pesticide-free vegetables, while decision-making is being shared with partners like Festival sur le Niger and Lara Khaldi, promoting the free flow of contemporary Southeast Asian art.
Key facts
- Ruangrupa was appointed curator of documenta fifteen in early 2019 for the 2022 exhibition.
- The collective was founded in 2000 by Ade Darmawan, Hafiz, Ronny Agustinus, and about 20 others from Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta.
- Its practice is based on the lumbung model, a communal resource-sharing system inspired by surplus-grain warehouses.
- Member farid rakun stated "winter comes early," indicating accelerated plans due to global crises like travel restrictions and economic disruption.
- Gudskul, a "collective of collectives" with Serrum and Grafis Huru Hara, paused art programs to produce healthcare equipment using 3D printers.
- Ruangrupa has dispersed documenta decision-making to partners including Festival sur le Niger in Mali and Lara Khaldi and Yazan Khalili in Jerusalem and Palestine.
- The collective directed the Jakarta Biennale from 2009 to 2017 and founded OK. Video (Indonesia Media Art Festival) in 2003.
- Art historians Thomas Berghuis and David Teh note ruangrupa's break from New Order-era censorship practices in Indonesia.
Entities
Artists
- Ade Darmawan
- Hafiz
- Ronny Agustinus
- farid rakun
- Rifky Effendi
- Melati Suryodarmo
- Lara Khaldi
- Yazan Khalili
- Thomas Berghuis
- David Teh
Institutions
- ruangrupa
- documenta
- Cemara 6 Galeri
- Ruang MES 56
- R.A.P. (Rumah Air Panas)
- Green Papaya
- OK. Video – Jakarta International Video Art Festival
- Indonesia Media Art Festival
- North Art Space
- RURU Radio
- Jakarta Biennale
- Dewan Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Arts Council)
- Gudskul
- Serrum
- Grafis Huru Hara
- Festival sur le Niger
- Sakakini Cultural Center
- Artreview
Locations
- Jakarta
- Indonesia
- Bandung
- Yogyakarta
- Kassel
- Germany
- Makassar
- Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia
- Manila
- Philippines
- Mali
- Jerusalem
- Palestine