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Poet William Blake (1757-1827) mentions in the book The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: “without contraries there is no progression “ – as such – without having a contradictive mindset there will not be any further development. This mantra is used throughout Kali as a framework.

Being contradictive can be perceived negative; perhaps due to the nature of the word contra, which is the basis of the word contradictive. However, being contradictive is the foundation of having an ongoing critical thinking against the stagnant thoughts. This is an important spirit for providing the new alternatives to imperfect things and being used as the foundation of Kali.

Kali is the result of contemplation, creation, and the need to have an ongoing critical thinking through art. On the surface, we can see the amalgamation (interdisciplinary) of various art genres, which intended to provoke and to emote the aesthetics aspect of contemporary art.

Meanwhile, within its several repertoire, Kali attempts to interpret freely the philosophy adheres by the poet Blake. The interpretation sometimes gathered at the end, but it can also appear at the beginning. Regardless the presence, the attack methodology is done through various arts discipline.

The results would not only presented in one singular monotone color, but in the multiple undertone color of abang (red), putih (white), and ireng (black) scattered in the dominant triangular shape, a symbol of gunungan (mountain) where kali (the river) flows.

Kali (The River) is a place where many streams with different color flow together. The current is unpredictable, indefinable. And that is the philosophy. We cannot understand the current only by looking at its primitive surface, because the ripple can appear through the blossoming of ongoing creative impetus. But it can also in the stillness where we allow them to flow liberally without any pretense.

Thus, we can interpret the current differently. But we also know so well of the similarity. We together can see ourselves through the rippling shadow of the reflection of Kali, the river.

Bambang N Karim
Director, Media Artist