Harus Berani

2020

video performance, glass, cloth

Sometimes we can get stuck in a long cycle that we want to break out of. In this performance, I wear a glass mask that distorts my vision and hinders my speech as it holds down my tongue. My body makes repeated gestures that resemble basic traditional Javanese dance movements that I recalled from childhood. I dance while citing the chorus of a song titled Lagu Hidup by Indonesian artist Sisir Tanah.

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The chorus goes:

“Dan harus berani

Harus berani

Jika orang-orang serakah datang

Harus dihadang

Harus berani

Harus berani

Jika orang-orang itu menyakiti

Harus bersatu menghadapi”

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I could only break from the cycle when a friend hears my cry and struggles to break me free. This is a performance about vulnerability, trust, and social support.

Thank you to Connie Xie for assisting in the performance.