... is a designer and writer interested in how design can be used
as both a research tool and a medium to give voice to important
and underrepresented communities and issues. She works in
the intersection of
cultural heritage,
disaster mitigation, graphic design,
spatial design, and object
materiality. Her outputs encompass creative writing, illustration, interior architecture, publication design, and
textile
design.
Email
InstagramHilirisasi
2024
DEUS: 088/26812—81
REX-13: 978-0882681/283
Hilirisasi, the Indonesian term for "downstreaming," is a project that explores the transformation of raw materials into refined products, a process meant to enhance their value. This project uses traditional Indonesian batik to represent this economic concept, tying the narrative of industrial processing to a national cultural identity.
The project features a series of four textiles, each representing a different Indonesian province rich in mineral resources. The fabric designs incorporate traditional visual languages specific to each region. Subtly embedded within the patterns are the logos of the mining companies operating in those areas. This design choice highlights how the invasive presence of these companies is often unknown to those who do not live in the affected regions.
The textiles are dyed with powders of the very minerals being extracted, such as bauxite and nickel. This use of mineral pigments directly connects the final art piece to the raw materials central to the hilirisasi process. By transforming these industrial materials into a culturally significant art form, the project reflects on how this economic strategy is an attempt to strengthen national capacity and utilize local resources.
The final work includes the four textiles, the tools used to create their patterns, an exhibit of the mineral powders used as dye, a design booklet detailing the artistic process, and a visual dictionary to explain the symbolism embedded in each textile. Through this unique combination of traditional craft and industrial materials, the project visualizes the complex relationship between national identity, natural resources, and economic development in Indonesia.