Opening Tumbuh Rimpang
November 29, 2024
Heavenly Stars
Kadek Armika
Exhibition
Repurposing: Paradise
Artist
Kadek Armika
Written by
Krisna Sudharma
These aerial creations are more than artistic expressions; they are intricate sculptures that dance with the winds, embodying the spiritual significance of connection between the earth and the sky in Balinese culture.
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In “Heavenly Star/Lintang Surga,” Kadek Armika navigates the intricate labyrinth of semiotics, portraying the abstract concept of higher forms, divine elements beyond human grasp yet deeply influential in Balinese spiritual life. This sculptural work, inspired by Bali’s sacred mountains—echoing the essence of Surya (Sun), Candra (Moon), and Lintang Tranggana (Stars)—delves into the abstract nuances these celestial symbols represent within Bali’s cultural framework.
The Pertalian Sirkel Surya Candra, Lintang Tranggana concept, which translates to the interconnected circle of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, lies at the heart of this piece. It eloquently articulates the spiritual dimensions of three sacred mountains: Batukaru, mirroring the solar energy and epitomizing Maha Awidya, the supreme wisdom; Gunung Agung, a homage to Candra and embodying Maha Agung, the pinnacle of greatness; and Gunung Batur, dedicated to Lintang Tranggana, or Maha Rata, symbolizing a celestial path of cosmic harmony. These mountains transcend their physical presence, becoming symbolic guardians of Bali’s spiritual essence, urging an imperative to safeguard their sanctity and perennial nature.
Serving as a bridge between the tangible reality of the sacred mountains and the intangible semiotic representations of higher forces, the artwork encapsulates elusive semiotic interpretations where each symbol signifies complex religious and philosophical meanings.
By harnessing the influential power of semiotics, Armika’s piece elevates the conversation beyond physical interpretations of religious iconography into the realms of abstraction. “Heavenly Star/Lintang Surga” thus becomes an expression of the vast, often intangible experiences of divinity and spirituality. It evokes the multitude of higher forms and interpretations that might not be readily visible or comprehensible, yet are vitally significant to the cultural and spiritual identity of Bali.
Armika’s work is steeped in the language of signs—where each line, curve, and texture communicates a layer of meaning open to subjective interpretation. Through this abstract expression, the sculpture challenges viewers to engage with their own conceptions of the higher forces, facilitating a personal journey through the symbolic landscape that treats the intangible as a profound source of knowledge and insight.
In essence, “Heavy Star/Lintang Surga” is an abstract portrayal not only of Balinese cosmology but also of the multifaceted ways in which spirituality can manifest. It is this abstraction, this complex dance of signs and symbols, that speaks to the undefined and unreachable aspects of the divine. The artwork invites contemplation on the forms that lie within and beyond our perceptual limits, urging viewers to recognize and connect with the ineffable aspects of human belief and the cosmos.
Through his sculpture, Armika acknowledges the innate human desire to conceptualize and interact with the divine, while also recognizing that some facets of the spiritual experience remain perpetually esoteric, known only through the quiet whispers of the soul in the presence of such holy symbols. “Heavenly Star/Lintang Surga” is an evocative tribute to these enduring mysteries, crafting a space where the intangible becomes a canvas for personal and communal enlightenment.
