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Travelling from the corners of East Java to a 19th century church in Islington, Edouard Malingue Gallery (Hong Kong, Shanghai) is thrilled to present ‘Madakaripura’ the first solo presentation in London of the Indonesian collective Tromarama (est. 2006, Bandung). Marking the last exhibition in the gallery’s temporary project space, Tromarama transport us to a historical waterfall, which is believed to be the last place where Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364) – a central figure in Indonesian culture who used to be a Mahapatih or Prime Minister in the Majapahit empire – meditated before he reached Moksa, a term for various forms of emancipation and enlightenment.

As the luscious greenery and water cascades, the gigantic projected image distorts in response to software collecting weather data – temperature, wind speed, air pressure – each of which are continuously collected from a localised weather forecast website. Transmitted and shared from one corner of the world to the other, ‘Madakaripura’ reflects on how, as technology evolves, we shift the way we contemplate. More pointedly, the immersive installation questions how we channel our self with the world, from nature to the realm of data.

‘Madakaripura’ – in its imagery, sound and setting – is engulfing, prompting thought on ecology, technology and our relationship with each: what it has been, is, and will be. Both are shifting continuously, but what do the developments of each mean for the way we connect and what, as well as how, we experience. Following from the two previous exhibitions in the project space that have investigated voyeurism and tranquility respectively, this final show calls into question the lines we draw between reality and fiction, and our consciousness of each.

Engaging with the notion of hyperreality in the digital age, Tromarama explores the interrelationship between the virtual and the physical world. Initiating as a collective in 2006 in Bandung, Indonesia, Febie Babyrose, Ruddy Hatumena and Herbert Hans create works that combine video, installation, computer programming and public participation depicting the influence of digital media on society’s perception of its surroundings. Channelling language, text, wit, sequence as well as interaction through their varied practice, Tromarama reflect on the cornerstones of Indonesia’s political and cultural environment [1], a form of perceptive engagement that applies globally.

Tromarama are widely considered one of Indonesia’s most exciting rising talents and have been exhibited around the world. They have held solo exhibitions at Centre A, Vancouver (2017); Liverpool Biennial Fringe, Liverpool (2016); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2015); National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2015); and Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2010) among other locations. Their group exhibitions include the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila (2018); Singapore Art Museum, Singapore (2017); Gwangju Biennale, Gwangju (2016) ; Frankfurter Kunstverein, Frankfurt (2015); Samstag Museum of Art, Adelaide (2014); and the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane (2012).

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