Arahmaiani :The Flag Project

The Flag Project came as a direct response to a deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006. Bringing together a tapestry of diverse communities around the city, Arahmaiani mediated a process of intensive self-inquiry and dialogue on the impermanence of life, love and belonging in the context of their local wisdom. With the help of seamstresses, the communities created several flags bursting with colour. At the centre of each is a woven word, reflecting ideas and values held at the centre of a particular community.

A performance was devised not long after, with members of the communities parading the streets in front of curious onlookers, waving each flag back and forth and creating a symbolic gesture of harmony between differences. With this act of social healing, The Flag Project was born, and has since been replicated in cities around the world. Throughout Asia, Australia and Europe, Arahmaiani has utilised the project as a tool to facilitate conversations within communities of different faiths, religions and beliefs.

At the beginning of each project, Arahmaiani holds discussions or workshops with the community to select locally significant phrases and words that they feel are important, often reflecting on current local or global social issues.

The results of Arahmaiani's residency with Potato Head are flags featuring keywords chosen from the past 18 years of The Flag Project. Each flag is adorned by a woven word reflecting ideas, values, and messages of hope held at the centre of various communities from across the Indonesian archipelago.

‘TAKSU’, the Balinese word for a spirit or state of being that is in balance with human and divine qualities.

‘GUYUB’, meaning ‘harmonious / unity’ in Javanese.

‘EWAKO’, meaning ‘Courage’ from the Bugis dialect in Makassar.

‘PADUSI’ = ‘woman’ [Minang]

‘TANA’ = ‘land’ [Flores]

‘CAI’ = ‘water’ [Sunda]

‘JUMPUN’ = ‘forest’ [Dayak]

‘KAHOFA’ = ‘earth’ [Papua]

‘ULUN’ = ‘heart’ [Bali Aga]

‘MAPALUS’ = ‘collaboration’ [Minahasa]

‘REGENERASI’ = ‘regeneration’ [Indonesian]

Regenerasi is a new addition to the project, chosen by Arahmaiani and the Potato Head team. A word that we feel symbolises the needs and requirements of our family and community.