2024
Tapestry Installation 
Beras Bulog rice sack, glue, fabric, bamboo pole

We (Darah Collective) are intrigued by the rich and intricate history of Bras Basah, a place whose name is a mistranscription of the Malay term "beras basah," meaning "wet rice." This misinterpretation arose when non-native Malay speakers anglicized the name based on what they heard, resulting in the name we use today. Standing in Bras Basah, we no longer see paddy fields or rice in sight, a stark contrast to what the name suggests. This shift highlights how urbanization alters our perception and understanding of a place, revealing the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and the built environment. 

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Talking about rice resonated deeply with me, with the use of beras BULOG rice sacks in the artwork, tapping into a history familiar to many Indonesians. BULOG, the state agency responsible for managing food logistics, distributed rice across the country, including in places like Kalimantan, where my father grew up. He often recalled how, as a child from a lower-income family, they depended on government-provided rice, which was often of low quality, sometimes even infested with lice. The presence of rice in the artwork reflects the everyday struggles and nostalgia associated with these experiences, offering a subtle critique of the system while connecting to the broader narrative of how our environments and the resources we depend on shape our lives.