Keturunan

Photo exposition, documentary, and dance performance on tour in the Netherlands and Indonesia

KETURUNAN (Bahasa Melayu – descendant) Pride, shame, sorrow, honor, confusion? What is the feeling that arises when we talk about our origin, with their roots in Indonesia, Maluku, and the Netherlands? The multidisciplinary project Keturunan expresses the perspective of descendants of ancestors who have experienced an eventful journey regarding their relationship with the Netherlands. For the Moluccans and Indonesians, their ancestors are of great importance. They are considered to be highly influential in the development of their current identity, both in cultural and ethnical significance. Honoring the ancestors is considered to be the connection to the past. In Keturunan, this history is acknowledged, taken along, and inspires the foundation of a bridge to the current, younger generations.

“Kalo bukan skarang kapan lai, kalo bukan katong la sapa lai?”

– It is now or never, if we aren’t doing it, then who is?

In the broadest sense, this art project revolves around connection: between creator and performer, between stories, between dance styles, between artist and audience, and an internal connection between different ethnicities that share a lot of cohesion. The current generation(s) may not have experienced the anguish of the complex history themselves, but they do feel the pain of their ancestors. In the research process, it is explored in what way these connections live on simultaneously.

“My vision is to produce a multidisciplinary art project in the form of a photo exposition, documentary, and dance performance. To get closer to my Moluccan/Indonesian culture through personal stories and experiences of other descendants. This research creates connection and community. During this process, we confront the painful but rich history we carry with us, and express it in various art forms as a tribute to our ancestors.” - Cheroney Pelupessy

TOUR DATES

2024