Palm to Palm
All That Is Solid Melts Into Air; But Not Memory
2024
This work continues my research on the decline of the camphor tree in North Sumatra, which I have been developing since 2016. My current focus is on how European scientists' knowledge production about the camphor tree in the mid-19th century, along with the invention of celluloid films in the Global North, contributed to the tree's extinction. This loss has significantly altered the kinship between the Batak people and the camphor forest, impacting our livelihoods, prompting population migrations, and necessitating participation in modernity, which has resulted in intergenerational loss.
In this performance, I explore storytelling as an intimate sharing practice through hand massage. The performance serves as a means to remember and embody the information gathered during my research. The camphor balm melts into scents and warmth on the skin, intertwining with the stories to transform into a living memory.
Performance and Installation Details:
In this performance, I explore storytelling as an intimate sharing practice through hand massage. The performance serves as a means to remember and embody the information gathered during my research. The camphor balm melts into scents and warmth on the skin, intertwining with the stories to transform into a living memory.
Performance and Installation Details:
- Activity: Palm massage and storytelling
- Duration: 2 hours (5 PM - 7 PM)
- Location: MuseumQuartier - Raum D, Vienna, Austria
- Creators: Lola Praktikum and MQ teams
- Photos: Lola Praktikum and Jacky Madu
- Consultants: Rizki Lazuardi and Patrick Tantra
- Curator: Verena Kaspar Eisert
- Film Development: Foto Fayer, Vienna
- Special Thanks: Filmkoop Wien for lending reels and assisting with film repairs. This performance is part of the MQ Artist in Residence Programme of Art and Ecology.
- Director: L. P. De Bussy
- Title: Lijkbezorging bij de Karo-Bataks (1917)
- Description: A two-part reportage on the funeral ceremonies and religious practices of the Karo-Batak, an ethnic group in North Sumatra.
- Produced by: Koloniaal Instituut (Amsterdam)
- Collection: Eye Museum, The Netherlands.
In Search of Nan Tar Tar Nan Tor Tor (The Dancing Goddess)
On Celluloid
2023
In this project, I aim to investigate the intricate relationship between colonial exploitation and the disappearance of camphor trees in Sumatra by examining various archives, myths, manuscripts, legends, family histories, and collective memories.
A legend of the upland peoples narrates how camphor originated from the spirit of a woman named Nan Tar Tar nan Tor Tor ("the Dancing One") who sought refuge in camphor tree after camphor tree while trying to escape a malevolent ancestral ghost. As the tree has vanished from the area, one way to find Her is to delve into the celluloid, as the materiality has been transformed into it during the colonial era. I believe celluloid is Her new hideout.
Collaborators
A legend of the upland peoples narrates how camphor originated from the spirit of a woman named Nan Tar Tar nan Tor Tor ("the Dancing One") who sought refuge in camphor tree after camphor tree while trying to escape a malevolent ancestral ghost. As the tree has vanished from the area, one way to find Her is to delve into the celluloid, as the materiality has been transformed into it during the colonial era. I believe celluloid is Her new hideout.
Collaborators
- DOP: Patrick Tantra
- Researcher: Raisa Kamila
- Producer: Wibi Triadi, Madyn Nugeraha
- Director: L. P. De Bussy
- Title: Lijkbezorging bij de Karo-Bataks (1917)
- Description: A two-part reportage on the funeral ceremonies and religious practices of the Karo-Batak, an ethnic group in North Sumatra.
- Produced by: Koloniaal Instituut (Amsterdam)
- Collection: Eye Museum, The Netherlands
- Author: W.H. de Vriese
- Titles:
- De Kamferboom van Sumatra (Dryobalanops camphora Colebr.): volgens Dr. F. Junghuhn's waarnemingen op de plaats zelve, en door nadere onderzoekingen toegelicht (1851)
- Mémoire sur le Camphier de Sumatra et de Bornéo (1856)
- Author: Ir. W. Spoon
- Title: Overzicht van proeven, in Nederlandsch Oost-Indië genomen met de cultuur can den Japanschen Kamferboom (1929)
- Item: Camphor oil
- Location: Barus, August 2022
- Collector: Maskudin Simandjuntak
- Item: Various cine films (Celluloid)
- Source: eBay (bidding)
- Item: Pustaha Batak
- Source: British Library
- Event: Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
- Location: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Photographer: Dani Huda
- Title: Intersection, Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
In Search of Nan Tar Tar Nan Tor Tor (The Dancing Goddess)
On Celluloid
2023
In this project, I aim to investigate the intricate relationship between colonial exploitation and the disappearance of camphor trees in Sumatra by examining various archives, myths, manuscripts, legends, family histories, and collective memories.
A legend of the upland peoples narrates how camphor originated from the spirit of a woman named Nan Tar Tar nan Tor Tor ("the Dancing One") who sought refuge in camphor tree after camphor tree while trying to escape a malevolent ancestral ghost. As the tree has vanished from the area, one way to find Her is to delve into the celluloid, as the materiality has been transformed into it during the colonial era. I believe celluloid is Her new hideout.
Collaborators
A legend of the upland peoples narrates how camphor originated from the spirit of a woman named Nan Tar Tar nan Tor Tor ("the Dancing One") who sought refuge in camphor tree after camphor tree while trying to escape a malevolent ancestral ghost. As the tree has vanished from the area, one way to find Her is to delve into the celluloid, as the materiality has been transformed into it during the colonial era. I believe celluloid is Her new hideout.
Collaborators
- DOP: Patrick Tantra
- Researcher: Raisa Kamila
- Producer: Wibi Triadi, Madyn Nugeraha
- Director: L. P. De Bussy
- Title: Lijkbezorging bij de Karo-Bataks (1917)
- Description: A two-part reportage on the funeral ceremonies and religious practices of the Karo-Batak, an ethnic group in North Sumatra.
- Produced by: Koloniaal Instituut (Amsterdam)
- Collection: Eye Museum, The Netherlands
- Author: W.H. de Vriese
- Titles:
- De Kamferboom van Sumatra (Dryobalanops camphora Colebr.): volgens Dr. F. Junghuhn's waarnemingen op de plaats zelve, en door nadere onderzoekingen toegelicht (1851)
- Mémoire sur le Camphier de Sumatra et de Bornéo (1856)
- Author: Ir. W. Spoon
- Title: Overzicht van proeven, in Nederlandsch Oost-Indië genomen met de cultuur can den Japanschen Kamferboom (1929)
- Item: Camphor oil
- Location: Barus, August 2022
- Collector: Maskudin Simandjuntak
- Item: Various cine films (Celluloid)
- Source: eBay (bidding)
- Item: Pustaha Batak
- Source: British Library
- Photographer: Dani Huda
- Title: Intersection, Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival
- Degree Show MA Art and Ecology
Copy(What)Left
Camphor Specimens from Kew Garden
2022
Watercolor on paper
A5 each, 100 pieces
Exhibited at S.E.A Focus - an STPI Project
Singapore
Represented by Baik Art Gallery
A5 each, 100 pieces
Exhibited at S.E.A Focus - an STPI Project
Singapore
Represented by Baik Art Gallery
Palm to Palm
Massage and Story Telling
2022
This performance is part of a wider project exploring the history of dryobalanops aromatica, a critically endangered species of Camphor tree once widespread in Sumatra. Caniago's research has led him to dryobalanops aromatica specimens from Indonesia at Kew Gardens archive and herbarium, where they held the leaves and seeds of this tree - which holds great significance in his community.
This particular form of massage comes from the artist's childhood with his grandmother as a way for him to listen to stories from his grandmother about the history of the family and family roots. Weaving together storytelling, personal and collective memory, Caniago revealed connections between migration, colonisation and ecology as he delivers massage activities to the audience. [Laura Purseglove]
Performance Details
Re-performances
This particular form of massage comes from the artist's childhood with his grandmother as a way for him to listen to stories from his grandmother about the history of the family and family roots. Weaving together storytelling, personal and collective memory, Caniago revealed connections between migration, colonisation and ecology as he delivers massage activities to the audience. [Laura Purseglove]
Performance Details
- Title: Palm to Palm
- Part of: Ecological Thinking, Radar Visiting Artist Programme
- Location: Institute of Advanced Studies, Loughborough University, United Kingdom
- Produced by: Laura Purseglove
- Academic Collaborator: Peter Yeandle
- Material Used: Camphor balm (Tiger Balm)
- Performance Duration: 2 hours
- Photo Credits: Koa Pham
Re-performances
- Koppel Project Hive, London: The Lost and the Remained, curated by An.Other Asian (2022)
- Palm to Palm Performance, China Exchange UK, London: curated by An.Other Asian (2022)
- **Interim Show, MA Art and Ecology, Goldsmiths University of London (2023)