In the Midst of Chaos, There is Also Bibitulit
300 x 300 x 220 cm (length x width x height)
Plastic Toy Tanks, Metal Drum, Horn Speakers, and Arduino
2018
Highlights Indonesia's susceptibility to ethnic, religious, and racial conflicts, which can arise due to a range of factors such as political objectives or exploitation of natural resources. These conflicts can be complex and multifaceted, and the passage suggests that some of them are constructed rather than arising organically.
In the Midst of Chaos, There is Also Bibitulit is an interactive installation reflecting how propaganda and hate speech can trigger artificial conflict within society. Inspired by the prevalence of horizontal conflicts driven by disinformation, the work invites audiences to directly trigger chaos through a simple act: striking a metal drum. When struck, sound sensors activate dozens of toy tanks equipped with mini horn speakers, controlled by microcontrollers. The tanks move and sound their horns in unison, creating a collective noise and chaos. This cycle repeats with each drum strike, symbolizing how easily conflict can be sparked and perpetuated.
The metal drum represents the conflict trigger; the toy tanks symbolize quickly mobilized militant forces; and the horns suggest communication technology turned into a destructive weapon. This work highlights issues of hate speech, artificial conflict for political interests, and individual responsibility. It raises critical questions about our awareness of how conflict mechanisms operate around us.
This work was exhibited at:
xpace, a collaboration between ruru corps and brillio.net at Foundry SCBD, Jakarta, Indonesia
ART Unlimited, Art Jakarta at Ballroom Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia
It’s A Match at Parlor, Bandung, Indonesia
XYZ ArtUnlimited, PGN Building, Bandung, Indonesia