JAKARTA – KiN Space opens a new immersive installation in the SCBD area of Central Jakarta. This latest project, titled Mountain Song, creates a spectacular multisensory environment for visitors. Balinese artist Citra Sasmita collaborates with Cinta Bumi Artisans to bring this vision to life. Consequently, the exhibition space transforms into a beautiful intersection of art, nature, and cultural narratives.
The creative journey began during a meeting in Poso, Central Sulawesi, back in 2019. Citra explored the megalithic heritage of the region for the first time during that trip. Meanwhile, Novieta Tourisia from Cinta Bumi Artisans had already researched these ancestral legacies for over twelve years. They combined their expertise to highlight a specific heritage called ranta bea, or barkcloth. This material comes from the bea tree and shares similarities with the daluang paper found in West Java.
Ancestral traditions connect many regions through the use of this natural material. Citra explains that barkcloth appears in the history of Sulawesi, Bali, and even across Polynesian islands like Hawaii and New Zealand. Furthermore, these ancient narratives deeply relate to the spirituality of the local people. The artists originally planned to create a special project for children after their first meeting. Finally, they realized this dream this year through the invitation from KiN Space.
The installation invites children to explore a miniature world of forests, hills, and waterfalls. Visitors can also enter a cave that mimics the famous Bada Valley in Central Sulawesi. These elements provide a unique tactile experience for young explorers. Children can listen to traditional songs and touch barkcloth decorated with images of flora and fauna. As a result, the exhibition makes everyone feel like they are stepping into a timeless world of natural textiles.
Photo doc. KiN Space
