Exhibition
Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?
Museum MACAN proudly presents 'Why Let the Chicken Run?'—Melati Suryodarmo’s first solo presentation in a museum context.
28 February 2020 – 14 November 2021
Melati Suryodarmo (b. Surakarta, Indonesia, 1969) is one of Indonesia’s internationally acclaimed artists. ‘Why Let the Chicken Run?’ marks the artist’s first solo presentation within a museum and presents significant works from over 20 years of art practice including scheduled live performances, photography and video performances, and historical documentation.
‘Why Let the Chicken Run?’ traces Melati’s artistic practice through the presentation of her incredible long-durational performance pieces that range from three to twelve hours. Through these long-durational works such as I'm A Ghost in My Own House (2012) (a twelve hour performance) and The Black Ball (2005) (which is performed for between eight to ten hours, over a four day cycle), the artist challenges her body physically and psychologically in pursuit of a deeper spiritual understanding of the self. Her artistic practice is influenced by Butoh – a form of radical dance theatre that emerged in postwar Japan; deep and ongoing relationships with other artists; a formal art education in Europe as well as investigations into Javanese cultural traditions. These rich and varied influences are explored in the exhibition through the inclusion of a selection from her personal archive.
Melati has exhibited and performed extensively around the world, and lives between Indonesia and Germany. Fundamental to Melati’s artistic output, is a desire to cultivate a practice which responds to her immediate Javanese environment, whilst engaging a global conversation about the power and nature of art.
Transaction of Hollows (2016)
4 hours performance in 2 days. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why et THe Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 6–7 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Transaction of Hollows (2016)
4 hours performance in 2 days. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why et THe Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 6–7 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Transaction of Hollows (2016)
4 hours performance in 2 days. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why et THe Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 6–7 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Transaction of Hollows (2016)
4 hours performance in 2 days. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why et THe Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 6–7 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
The Promise (2002)
3 hours performance. Performed at Studio Plesungan, Karanganyar, Solo 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
The Promise (2002)
3 hours performance. Performed at Studio Plesungan, Karanganyar, Solo 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Exergie - Butter Dance (2000)
20 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 13 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Exergie - Butter Dance (2000)
20 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 13 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Exergie - Butter Dance (2000)
20 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 13 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Exergie - Butter Dance (2000)
20 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 13 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Behind The Light (2015)
5 hours performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 11 & 12 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
Ale Lino (2003)
3 hours performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' exhibition Musem MACAN, 5 November 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN
I Love You (2007)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I Love You (2007)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I Love You (2007)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I Love You (2007)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Eins und Eins (2016)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Eins und Eins (2016)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Eins und Eins (2016)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Eins und Eins (2016)
3 hours performance. Performed at ‘Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?’ exhibition, Museum MACAN, 2021. Image courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Hapuslah, Tapi Bukan Air Matamu! Erase (2020)
Pencil on paper, eraser, performative participation. 120 x 600 cm. Installation view at "Why Let The Chicken Run?" exhibition, Museum MACAN. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Hapuslah, Tapi Bukan Air Matamu! Erase (2020)
Pencil on paper, eraser, performative participation. 120 x 600 cm. Installation view at "Why Let The Chicken Run?" exhibition, Museum MACAN. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I'm A Ghost in My Own House (2012)
12 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 29 February 2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I'm A Ghost in My Own House (2012)
12 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 29 February 2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I'm A Ghost in My Own House (2012)
12 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 29 February 2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
I'm A Ghost in My Own House (2012)
12 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 29 February 2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Kleidungsaffe (2006)
3 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Kleidungsaffe (2006)
3 hour performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
The Black Ball (2005)
4 days performance, 8-10 hour each. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
The Black Ball (2005)
4 days performance, 8-10 hour each. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Sweet Dreams Sweet (2013)
2 hour delegated performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Sweet Dreams Sweet (2013)
2 hour delegated performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Why Let The Chicken Run? (2001)
15 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Why Let The Chicken Run? (2001)
15 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Why Let The Chicken Run? (2001)
15 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Why Let The Chicken Run? (2001)
15 minutes performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
Resources
Document
Exhibition Guide Mobile Format
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Document
Exhibition Guide
Exhibition Guide for 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' and 'Julian Rosefeldt: Manifesto'
Document
Performance Schedule
Download Melati Suryodarmo Performance Schedule
*Schedules are subjected to change. Please follow our social media for update.
*Schedules are subjected to change. Please follow our social media for update.
Document
Museum Guide for Children
Museum Guide for Children in 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let The Chicken Run?' and 'Julian Rosefeldt: Manifesto' exhibition
Youtube
Melati Suryodarmo: 'I'm a Ghost In My Own House' Performance
Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let Chicken Run?' exhibition 29 February 2020, Museum MACAN, Indonesia.
Youtube
Melati Suryodarmo: 'Sweet Dreams Sweet' Performance
2 hour delegated performance. Performed at 'Melati Suryodarmo: Why Let the Chicken Run?' exhibition, Museum MACAN, 26 February 2020. Photo courtesy of Museum MACAN.
