
Balance & Harmony
Kadek Armika Solo Exhibition
Balance & Harmony
Kadek Armika Solo Exhibition
Exhibition
Balance & Harmony
Artist
Kadek Armika
Written by
Krisna Sudharma
Armika’s Artistic Practice: Deconstruction and Polycentric Aesthetics
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Kadek Armika’s artistic practice is a profound synthesis of traditional Balinese craftsmanship and contemporary artistic innovation. Born and raised in Bali, Armika’s work is deeply rooted in the island’s cultural traditions, yet it transcends the purely functional to explore universal themes of balance, harmony, and interconnectedness. His kites are not merely objects of art but dynamic expressions of a worldview that bridges the earthly and the celestial, the past and the present.
Armika’s journey as an artist began with his immersion in the traditional art of Balinese kite-making. From a young age, he was captivated by the intricate designs and spiritual significance of the pecukan, janggan, and bebean. These kites, with their symbolic forms and resonant hummers, became the foundation of his artistic vocabulary. Armika’s mastery of traditional techniques—such as bamboo frame construction, hand-painted sails, and the integration of hummers—demonstrates his deep respect for Balinese heritage.
However, Armika’s work is not a mere replication of tradition. He reinterprets these forms through a contemporary lens, experimenting with materials, scales, and aerodynamics to push the boundaries of what a kite can be. For instance, his reinterpretation of the pecukan explores themes of impermanence and renewal, while his janggan-inspired works delve into the interplay between cosmic forces and human existence. The bebean, in Armika’s hands, becomes a celebration of Bali’s ecological heritage and a call for environmental stewardship.


Armika’s artistic practice is deeply informed by his academic background in architecture and his engagement with philosophical ideas. His encounter with Jacques Derrida’s concept of deconstruction—which challenges fixed meanings and hierarchies—resonated with his own experiences of Balinese culture. In Bali, knowledge is often passed down orally and through practice, creating a fluid and dynamic understanding of tradition. Armika’s work embodies this philosophy, deconstructing the binary oppositions of tradition and modernity, stability and motion, and earth and sky.
The concept of “polycentric aesthetics,” introduced by Ella Shohat and Robert Stam, provides a powerful framework for understanding Armika’s work. They argue that there are “certain alternative aesthetics” that exist outside the dominant Eurocentric canon, rooted in non-realist, non-Western, or para-Western cultural traditions. These aesthetics feature other historical rhythms, narrative structures, and views of the body, sexuality, spirituality, and collective life. Armika’s practice is a vivid embodiment of this polycentric aesthetic, celebrating the richness of Balinese culture while engaging with global artistic discourses.
Armika’s work is not only philosophically rich but also technically innovative. His background in architecture allows him to approach kite-making with a keen understanding of materials, structures, and aerodynamics. Each kite is meticulously designed to achieve a delicate balance between lift and drag, ensuring stability and graceful movement in the air. Armika often incorporates modern materials, such as lightweight fabrics and synthetic fibers, to enhance the durability and performance of
his kites.
The aerodynamic principles that govern flight are central to Armika’s artistic vision. When wind strikes a kite, it bifurcates, flowing both above and below the kite’s surface. The downward-moving air slows, increasing air pressure beneath the kite and creating lift—the upward force that counters gravity. Simultaneously, the upward moving air accelerates, reducing air pressure above the kite and further enhancing lift. Armika manipulates these forces to create kites that are not only visually stunning but also kinetically dynamic, transforming the sky into a canvas of ever-changing forms.
For Armika, the act of kite making is not merely a technical endeavor but a spiritual and philosophical inquiry. He reflects on the wisdom of his ancestors, who understood the wind, the stars, and the rhythms of nature. “Knowledge that passes through generations from our ancestors existed long before modern academia,” he says. “I don’t think comparing and undervaluing our heritage knowledge makes us more intellectual.” Armika’s work embodies this philosophy, juxtaposing traditional Balinese practices with contemporary approaches.
In Balinese culture, kites are seen as messengers between the earthly and the divine. Armika’s kites carry this spiritual significance, serving as vessels of cultural expression and philosophical inquiry. The pecukan, janggan, and bebean—each with its unique form and symbolism—reflect a narrative structure that is fundamentally different from the linear, realist traditions of Western art. Armika’s work challenges the Eurocentric notion of art as an individualistic endeavor, emphasizing instead the collective knowledge passed down through generations.



