Project:About
Hyphen—
Pardon the language mix. When we write essays, or even introductory text, we tend to write in our native, bahasa Indonesia. But for this wiki, you'll read more in English.
One-liner
Since 2011, Hyphen— is a research initiative that puts forward curiosity and common wellbeing as the estuary of artistic practices.
Sepatah
Sejak 2011, Hyphen— adalah prakarsa penelitian yang mengedepankan rasa penasaran dan kesejahteraan hidup bersama sebagai muara dari kerja-kerja kesenian.
About us
Ratna Mufida, Pitra Hutomo, and Grace Samboh co-initiated Hyphen— in 2011 as a sustainable conversational space regarding aesthetic practices. Not long after, that space expanded through engagement in various artistic activities, including exhibition-making, various forms of publishing, archiving, research, open-ended conversations, karaoke, barbecue nights, feasts, etcetera. Hyphen— aims to put forward curiosity and people’s common wellbeing as the estuary of artistic practices. They were joined by Akmalia Rizqita “Chita” and Rachel K. Surijata (in 2020); as well as Ruhaeni Intan and Andri Setiawan (in 2023).
They currently play with explorations on the practices of Indonesia New Art Movement (1975-1989), Kustiyah (1935-2012), and Danarto (1940-2018); exhibition histories surrounding Kesenian Indonesia (Indonesian Art, 1955), BINAL Experimental Arts (1992), Contemporary Art Exhibition of the Non-Aligned Countries (1995); while attempting to unravel Indonesia’s so-called national history through its official visual representations.
Tentang kami
Ratna Mufida, Pitra Hutomo, dan Grace Samboh menggagas Hyphen—, pada 2011, sebagai ruang percakapan yang berkesinambungan mengenai masa lalu praktik estetik di sekitar mereka. Tak berapa lama kemudian, Hyphen— memperluas ruang percakapan tsb dengan melibatkan diri dalam beragam kegiatan artistik mulai dari pembuatan pameran, bermacam penerbitan, kerja pengarsipan dan penelitian, percakapan terbuka, karaoke, bakar-bakar serta makan-makan, dan lain sebagainya. Cita-cita Hyphen— adalah mengedepankan rasa penasaran dan kesejahteraan hidup bersama sebagai muara dari kerja-kerja kesenian. Sejak 2020, Akmalia Rizqita “Chita” dan Rachel K. Surijata ikut bergerak bersama Hyphen—; demikian juga Ruhaeni Intan dan Andri Setiawan (2023).
Sekarang, mereka berulang-alik antara kerja penelusuran praktek artistik Seni Rupa Baru (1975-1989), Kustiyah (1935-2012), dan Danarto (1940-2018); sejarah penyelenggaraan pameran Kesenian Indonesia (1955), BINAL Experimental Arts (1992), dan pameran Seni Kontemporer Negara-negara Non-Blok (1995); sembari berusaha mengaji apa yang disebut sebagai sejarah nasional Indonesia melalui benda-benda kerupaan.
Around now
Currently, we are finalising two monographs, one of Danarto (1940-2018) and another of Kustiyah (1935-2012); cooking up our curatorial contributions for Singapore Biennale 2025: pure intentions; compiling Danarto's children stories and hopefully publishing it into a book; getting ready for the launch of Danarto dkk.'s English translation of Danarto's short stories on and around Palestine (1968-2009) From Jerusalem to Armageddon that will be published the journal Southeast of Now; whilst translating a selection of texts from learningpalestine.net to bahasa Indonesia to be broadcasted at Radio Alhara every first Wednesday of the month with Nayamullah Station.
Recent archival showcases and research presentations includes A roundabout: Blooming mementos, towards monument as part of The shattered worlds: Micro narratives from the Ho Chi Minh Trail to The Great Steppe in Jim Thompson Art Center & Bangkok Art & Culture Center (2025); Taman Bacaan Danarto: ARCUS in their 2024 Open Studios, at ARCUS, Moriya (2024); Sesudah banjir itu (When the flood is over) as part of Voice against reason at Museum MACAN, Jakarta (2023); and As if there is no sun that won the Fine Prize Award at the 58th Carnegie International, Pittsburgh (2022).
We are
Ratna Mufida
Art worker, researcher.
Pitra Hutomo
Knowledge management facilitator for civil society groups.
Grace Samboh
Writer, researcher, program director for RUBANAH Underground Hub.
Akmalia Rizqita “Chita”
Researcher, comic artist.
Rachel K. Surijata
Art worker, researcher.
Ruhaeni Intan
Novelist, writer, researcher.
Andri Setiawan
Writer, researcher.
Research trajectories
Indonesia New Art Movement (1975-1989)
Archiving and publishing a monograph on Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru Indonesia (1975-1989).
Kus, et al.
Research, archiving, artworks' database, and various publications on a possible peer group of artists born in 1930s, namely Kustiyah, Sriyani, Siti Ruliyati, and Kartika.
Proses adalah ketika kita. (Process is when we.)
Looks into Danarto (b. 1940, Sragen; d. 2018, Jakarta).
Sketches, stitches, and negotiations: Unravelling Indonesia’s national history through its visual representations
Rethinking the visuals of the national history of Indonesia through historical dioramas that was made under the supervision of Edhi Sunarso (b. 1932, Salatiga; d. 2016, Yogyakarta).
The planet from where we stand
Acknowledging past views on international engagements through Konferensi Asia Afrika (Asian-African Conference, Bandung, 1955) and its accompanying festivities; Jakarta-Paris 1959-1960 Exhibition (Jakarta, 1992), and Contemporary Art Exhibition from Non-Aligned Countries (Jakarta, 1995), amongst others.
Our office
This is not merely our postal (and shipping) address details, but also where we work–most of the times–and where we hang out and play.
Rumah Kantor #Rukan
Pugeran MJ II/331
Suryodiningratan, Mantrijeron
Kota Yogyakarta, DI Yogyakarta
INDONESIA
55141
Location in Google Maps
We have one guest room (for two) and another one (for one) that we sometimes rent out. Details are on AirBNB, but we never really used the platform. So, if you are in need or interested, find a way to talk to us about it :)
Reach us
We're not too diligent in checking it, but we do have an Insta account here.
We definitely check our email :)