JOURNEY UPSTREAM: EXPRESSION OF DEVOTION TO ANCESTORS THROUGH INSTALLATION ART

• Main Author: Hartanto, Kenny
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/80209
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Starting from the experience of doubting one’s own ethnic identity and the phenomenon of the cessation of ancestor worship traditions within the family, the author is driven to conduct in-depth research to this ritual tradition and to explore the family’s ancestral history. The purpose of this research was to discover the connection between the doubt in ethnic identity arising from the author’s lack of knowledge about the ancestors through their history and traditions. Through this in-depth research process, the author also found a new perspective for addressing the experience of ethnic identity doubt by performing acts of gratitude as an expression of appreciation for the services rendered by the ancestors during their life time. In this final project, the author creates an artwork as a form of devotion to the ancestors who have departed this world. This work is created using the research based art method, where the artwork is produced through preliminary research. In the initial research stage of gathering data about ancestral history, the author employs an autoethnography approach through interviews, observation, artifact recording, and personal reflection. The final outcome of this research process is an installation work and drawings on paper as a representation of filial piety to the ancestors, where the creation process of this work is supported by theories of fine arts.