Alexander Sebastianus Hartanto uses experiential ethnographic re/search as a prominent intertwining mode of existence. Hartanto’s works explores the decontextualization of material cultures and how it is perceived, understood and ritualized in practice. For Hartanto, decolonizing the ontologies of ˈaɾt/kunst, is to reclaim Sani, a way of living which involves offering, service and search of the unknown. A recreation of pilgrimages, sacred spaces and woven cloths are products of this practice, et al. The works and experiences of Sani may or may not be archived, documented or shared. What’s left are remnants and evidence of materials that takes place in Sani.

Prior to his comparative art studies, Hartanto was an apprentice for a Javanese master weaver, in East Java. He was awarded the William Daley Award for Excellence in Art History and a Craft Field, 2017 and the Massachusetts College of Art & Design: Fiber Arts Departmental Honors, 2018. He teaches craft practice & theory and design ontologies to Artisans in Java, Bali and the United States. Hartanto also worked for Museum Tekstil in Jakarta, non-profit organization Bebali-Foundation in Bali and now he’s a textile craft school developer and ethnographer at Rumah Sukkha Citta in Java.

Bertumbuh Tanpa Arus III, 2021
During a for.est pilgrimage, one found the varying becomings of a seed and its direction of growth that are in-correlation to their surroundings. Sebastianus ruminates the forest through documented stills exposed using Cyanotype on his woven telupat lurik, as part of his Abdi Alam studies. “Tubuh yang bertumbuh tanpa arus, berlipat panjang lah dengan apa yang akan dan bisa terjadi. Menjadi.”