TRAUMA EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH MONEL WIRE WEAVING AS A PERSONAL THERAPEUTIC MEDIUM

• Main Author: Ajiba Alhaqiqi, Shofia
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/87055
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

This artistic research originates from the author's childhood traumatic experiences, particularly concerning the deprivation of rights as a child and as a female. These traumatic experiences have profoundly impacted the author's psychological condition, resulting in disrupted self?understanding and overall life perspective. The drive for self-healing through finding new meaning in these traumatic experiences becomes the research starting point, with the belief that inner wounds are not merely factual conditions to be faced but also hold potential meanings leading to a more complete self-understanding and appreciation of life's complexity. This research aims to (1) transform traumatic experiences into inner strength and resilience through art-making activities and (2) represent the interconnection between traumatic experiences, acceptance process, and their meaning through the exploration of weaving techniques and monel wire as symbolic mediums in the context of individual experience. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this research combines literature study methods based on art as symbol theory (Susanne K. Langer), phenomenology of perception (Merleau-Ponty), trauma psychology (Judith Herman), and logotherapy (Viktor Frankl), with studio practice supported by somatosensory theory and art as therapy approach, where weaving techniques and 0.3 mm monel wire are chosen as symbolic mediums based on their characteristics of retaining fold traces—analogous to traumatic memory properties—and their adaptive yet strong nature—as hope for the author in facing past traumatic experiences, while the weaving system involving the up-down movement of warp and weft wires represents psychological transformation processes. The research results show that: (1) the art-making process through monel wire weaving activities has facilitated the transformation of trauma into inner strength and resilience. This is evidenced by three interrelated aspects: first, the repetitive and meditative weaving activities create a reflective space for the author to process traumatic experiences, where the meticulous process requiring patience has built mental resilience. Second, the characteristics of monel wire material that can be bent yet remains strong reflect the transformative journey from vulnerability to resilience, as seen in its ability to form solid structures while maintaining flexibility. Third, the weaving technique that produces interlacing between warp and weft wires creates a structure stronger than a single wire sheet, representing self-strengthening through the integration of traumatic experiences as part of personal growth and (2) the resulting artwork successfully represents the complexity of relationships between trauma, acceptance, and meaning-making through visual networks formed by the intersection of warp and weft wires, where each crossing point reflects transformative moments in the formation of personal narrative and trauma recovery.