The planet from where we stand
Some of the work included in this research trajectory was done by individuals that are now parts of Hyphen—. The planet from where we stand is indeed a research trajectory that answers to curiosities, needs, and desires of our peers. Under Enin Supriyanto and Yustina Neni's direction, Grace Samboh and Ratna Mufida came into this line of questionings whilst framing, constructing, and organising Simposium Khatulistiwa (2010-2018) (The Equator Symposium) that was a biannual event held in alternate year of the Biennale Jogja (Equator Series). With Konferensi Asia-Afrika (Bandung, 1955) as their departure, the symposium explored possibilities of connecting equatorial countries through current life situation with an admiration to the past and optimism towards the future.
Other events that now orbits around this research trajectory are, amongst others, "BINAL Experimental Arts" (1992) read more here; "Paris-Jakarta 1959-1960" (1992, Jakarta) read more here, "Contemporary Art from the Non-Aligned Countries" (1995, Jakarta) read more here, and the various exhibitions of 'Indonesia' abroad, beginning from the one in London, in 1952, that was organised by Hurustiati Subandrio.
Various encounters with other practitioners have generated our growing interest to look into exhibitions, festivals, or events, as fertile sites to constantly question once stance grew, so as the drive to recalibrate the constellation of beings.
Simposium Khatulistiwa (2010-2018)
Choreographed Knowledges
What do you want to be when you grow up? Starting from childhood, we are taught to answer this question with a particular profession: A doctor, an astronaut, a teacher, a soldier, a police(wo)man, a painter, etc. This shows that humans are workers. If you are a doctor, wherever you will go, people will ask you about their health. Our work has an affect on our roles in our social lives. In fact, what do we accomplish by working? Does your job match your ideals? How do you choose the path of education you will travel? Does education limit or expand your choice of occupation? What is the attitude of the state towards education and employment to guarantees the continuity and welfare of the lives of its people?
In it's first public iteration, at Cemeti Institute for Art and Society, Yogyakarta, 2019, Grace worked with Julia Sarisetiati and Ary "Jimged" Sendy to grow the timeline. As for the second public iteration, at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2025, Intan and Grace generated the entries for the timeline, while Chita did the English translation. Translation to Japanese was by Kumakura Haruko.
Para sekutu yang tidak bisa berkata tidak
"Para sekutu yang tidak bisa berkata tidak" (lit. "The acquiscent allies", 27 January-14 March 2022) departed from the "Jakarta-Paris 1959-1960" (1992) and the "Non-Aligned Countries Contemporary Art Exhibition" (1995) that carved a chapter in the collection of the Galeri Nasional Indonesia. This exhibition investigates relationships amongst artists, their practices and their allegiances, regardless of their nationalities and supposed political identities.
Grace was one of four curatorial members of "Collecting Entanglements and Embodied Histories" (2017–2022), a collaboration between Galeri Nasional Indonesia, MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum (Chiang Mai), Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and Singapore Art Museum. For the Jakarta-leg of the exhibition, Chita and Rachel were members of the research team and writers for its catalogue.