Echoes of a Hidden World

By Ahdini Izzatika, Bey Shouqi, Dhanny ‘Danot’
Variable Dimension
Mixed Media Installations

SISIR (Seni Inspirasi Pesisir) is an art collective founded in late 2017 by Dhanny “Danot,” Bey Shouqi Hamidy, and Ahdini. Based in Tangerang, they began their joint “coastal combing” activities along the shoreline. Although the three come from different artistic backgrounds—Ahdini as a multidisciplinary artist, Bey as a photographer, and Danot as a visualartist—they are united by a shared interest in documenting and reflecting on the dynamics of life and the changes occurring along the Tangerang coas tthrough art.

Over the years, they have combed several locations, including Tanjung Kait, Mauk, Tanjung Pasir, Pantai Anom, and PIK 2. SISIR observes a wide range of phenomena along Tangerang’s northern coast, from land-eroding abrasion to natural phenomena and local myths. They have discovered remnants of buildings now standing in the middle of the sea, abandoned fish ponds, and peculiar sites such as a temple built on piles of seashells. They also document signs of environmental damage, such as animal carcasses washed ashore and tales of mass fish poisoning. These experiences and discoveries form the foundation of their works, which aim to critique the impact of human life on the surrounding environment.

In their work, SISIR presents a fictional narrative titled “Echoes of a Hidden World.” This narrative tells the story of a mysterious island uninhabitable by humans, where the sea is filled with strange jellyfish and the land is formed from seashells. Local myths of people disappearing while attempting to explore it become part of the tale. Through this narrative, they present their discoveries from the “island” using various media—photographs,drawings, and videos—as though they were evidence from a hidden world.

This work marks SISIR’s first official project to be showcased publicly. Through Echoes of a Hidden World, they seek to portray the coastal condition of Tangerang in a different way. The work serves as an artistic response to the realities they encounter, while also reflecting a sense of hope for a better future. Their participation in the Biennale Jatim represents the beginning of their journey in sharing the outcomes of their years-long coastal explorations.