This is something I started in response to the detention of Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairperson of Bersih 2.0. Bersih is a movement for free and fair elections in Malaysia. Maria was arrested on 18 Nov 2016 under SOSMA (Security Offenses Special Measures Act 2012), a cruel and draconian law that allows for detention without trial. She is being held in an undisclosed location, in a 15 x 8ft windowless cell, in solitary confinement.
I am posting these to my Facebook page, but I will archive them here too, to be accessible across platforms. In descriptions of the artwork, I provide Malay translations in blue.
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#1) 23 Nov 2016 – Day 5 in detention
“DI MANA MARIA?!! WHERE IS MARIA?!!”
– Interactive installation
\\ Instalasi (seni pemasangan) interaktif
– 15 x 8ft area on the floor marked with baracade tape and black tarpaulin sheet. Inside the area: 2 torchlights, 2 placards listing the conditions of Maria’s detention + SOSMA = KEZALIMAN. Outside the area: Placard with title and instructions to the public. Only one person to enter at a time
\\ Kain tarpaulin hitam seluas 15 x 8 kaki atas lantai, tepinya pita rintangan hitam-kuning. Di dalam: 2 lampu suluh, papan tanda huraikan keadaan tahanan Maria yang teruk dan SOSMA = KEZALIMAN. Di luar: Papan tanda dengan tajuk karya dan arahan untuk audiens.
– Let people experience with their own bodies the condition of solitary confinement
\\ Biar audiens rasakan dengan tubuh mereka sendiri keadaan tahanan berseorangan
– Tap into, subvert selfie culture – people are invited to take photos of themselves in that 15 x 8ft space
\\ Gunapakai budaya selfie – audiens ambil gambar di ruang 15 x 8 kaki itu dan sebarkan online
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CHALLENGE
You are welcome to take part in One Artwork A Day Until Maria is Released challenge. Drawings, songs, poems, fiction, concept art, performance, photos, anything.
\\ Sekiranya mau terima cabaran Satu Karya Setiap Hari Sehingga Maria Bebas, silakan. Lukisan, lagu, puisi, cerpen, konsep, persembahan, foto, apa saja.
Hashtag #bebasMaria #MansuhSOSMA #Art4Maria
