Survivor is a major art project by contemporary Indonesian-Australian artist Dadang Christanto. Initially developed in 2008 as a live protest against an environmental disaster that occurred in East Java which saw hot volcanic mud wipe out 11 villages and destroy many lives, Survivor has since transgressed beyond cultural borders, evolving into a universal, multi-faceted reflection upon human survival and what it means to endure tragic historical events, loss and death.
Commencing with a single 2 hour performance at Lismore Regional Gallery, local volunteers occupy the gallery space in silent vigil, symbolically covered in mud and holding a photographic portraits of faces lost in the disaster. The performance is followed by a visual exhibition consisting of detritus from the performance, video and photographic documentation memorialising the catastrophe and its ongoing consequences.
"The entire history of a village – its livelihood and future is being buried under the mud. While Christanto's work is politically confronting, it is also a poetic experience that reminds us of human fragility and erasure in the face of disaster." Aaron Seeto, Curator.
Survivor is presented by Kultour in partnership with 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and toured by Museums & Galleries NSW. This exhibition is supported by the Contemporary Touring Initiative through Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program, and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
The tour of this exhibition has been assisted by an Incoming Touring Exhibition Grant. The Incoming Touring Exhibition Grant program is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW and is managed by Museums & Galleries NSW.
