Tulang Bawang Barat (Tubaba) is a young regency located in the northern part of Lampung Province. Established as a regency in 2008, Tubaba covers an area of 1,201.00 square kilometers with a population of approximately 300,000. Tubaba not only lacks mountains and seas, two significant geographic features for natural tourism; initially, the city did not have direct access to the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road due to its remote location in the interior of Indonesia's third-largest island. However, with the inauguration of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road in 2021, Tubaba now has direct access to Raden Inten II International Airport in South Lampung.

In its position as a periphery to contemporary art activities, which are usually centered in large cities, Tubaba is a place where values of community, hospitality, and cultural exchange can thrive, especially in rural environments (Tiyuh). The Tubaba Art Festival and the international artist residency program reflect these values, creating a space for artists to interact with the local community and enhance their sensitivity to the cultural context of Tubaba.

We express our concern and objection to the deportation of three international artists—Chen Shirun and Wu Jianjing from China, and Kitamari from Japan—who were participating in the Tubaba Art Festival #8. These artists are not celebrities or foreign workers, as portrayed by some media and immigration officials. They are artists engaged in cultural exchange, investing their time and resources to immerse themselves in local culture, share knowledge, and build meaningful relationships with the Tubaba community.

We, the organizing committee of the Tubaba Art Festival #8, hereby issue an official statement regarding the public statements and media reports that are inaccurate and misleading concerning the international resident artists in this festival.

 

1. Response to Statements by Kotabumi Immigration Authorities

We deeply regret the statements made by R.A. Tyas Kristyaningrum, Head of the Non-TPI Class II Immigration Office Kotabumi, and Kresna Aji Pratana, Head of the Technology and Communication Division at the Non-TPI Class II Immigration Office Kotabumi, who have stigmatized the international resident artists as "paid performers" and even as "threats to national sovereignty." These statements are not only inaccurate but also have the potential to damage the artists' reputations and spread misinformation in the community.

These statements can be categorized as the criminalization of artists, as they are treated as though they have violated the law when they are, in fact, participating in a legitimate cultural exchange program. These statements not only lack accuracy but also defame the participating artists, placing them in embarrassing situations and damaging their reputations. Such reporting has the potential to cause deep cultural trauma, especially when the names and faces of the artists are clearly revealed in the media, as if they are criminals or threats to national security.

The resident artists participating in the Tubaba Art Festival are not working as "paid performers" or foreign workers (TKA), as stated. They are artists who came by open invitation and arrived with personal plans and initiatives, using their own funds for tickets and visas, and participated in the residency program without receiving payment or honorarium. The committee only provided basic needs such as daily meals, accommodation, and transportation to support their activities in Tubaba.

 

2. Clarification on the Use of the Terms 'Artis' and 'Guest Star' 

We would also like to highlight the use of the term "artis," which is often misunderstood in the context of Indonesian culture. In Indonesia, the term "artis" generally refers to celebrities or figures working in the entertainment industry and serving as 'guest stars.' This connotation of "artis" tends to be populist and more related to the entertainment world, rather than activities of art that go beyond mere entertainment and focus on research and cultural development.

In contrast, the term "seniman" holds a deeper meaning and encompasses individuals engaged in the creation and exploration of art, often involving travel, research, and interaction with new cultures. Artists are those who undergo a creative process rooted in the search for meaning, reflection, and self-development through equal relationships with new communities and environments.

The international artist residency held during the Tubaba Art Festival #8 aims to encourage artistic research processes and open knowledge exchange. This program provides space for artists to engage directly with the local community, build meaningful relationships, and discuss important issues within the local and regional context. As such, this residency is not a commercial performance or event but is a critical part of the learning and development process for both the arts and the community.

We hope that with this explanation, the term "seniman" can be restored to its proper place, and that their role in cultural development can be better understood. Artist residencies are not only about developing individual art practices but also about creating exchanges of knowledge and experiences between artists and the community. 

 

3. Clarification on Reports of Performances at the Festival

We also feel the need to correct the reports stating that the artists "performed" or appeared as performers at the Tubaba Art Festival #8. This information is highly inaccurate and misleading. In reality, the resident artists never performed as guest stars. They were not working as foreign workers (TKA) or paid performers on stage but rather collaborated and exchanged knowledge with local artists and the Tubaba community. Their activities focused on complex cultural exchanges, involving the challenges of potential misunderstandings and the boundaries of translation (language and culture), which at certain points are invaluable experiences for cultural understanding and acceptance. Therefore, this residency is far from the impression of "performing" or working for payment.

 

4. The Importance of Residency Programs as Cultural Exchange and Acceptance

The international artist residency at the Tubaba Art Festival #8 is designed as a platform to encourage artistic research and open knowledge exchange. The main ambition of this residency is to connect artists directly with the local community, build meaningful relationships, and address key issues in the local/regional context through their work. The opportunity to apply for artist residencies should not be viewed as a luxury, trend, or mere vacation. This residency provides space and time for artists to connect with local residents and share resources and knowledge reciprocally. Reciprocity and mutual giving are at the core of this exchange, supporting the creation of networks of care.

It should be emphasized that the artist residency program opens up space for the exchange of ideas that benefit not only the artists and local community but also encourage fair and ethical collaboration. In rural and peripheral environments, where contemporary art may not always be present, values of openness and hospitality can be enlivened, and ideas can flourish. This is not about teaching or learning things unilaterally but about creating space where collaboration and understanding can grow as an ongoing, respectful, responsible, and reciprocal cultural process. 

 

5. Critique of Media Reporting

We are also very concerned about the way some mass media outlets have blatantly displayed the full names and faces of these artists, as if they were serious lawbreakers. This not only violates the artists' privacy but also creates excessive negative stigma against them in the eyes of the public. In fact, these artists came to contribute to local cultural development through collaborative activities that benefit the Tubaba community.

We are deeply concerned about the impact of media coverage that clearly displays the names and faces of artists as if they are lawbreakers or threats to national security. This inaccurate reporting not only violates the privacy of the artists but also causes deep and prolonged cultural trauma. Artists who come with good intentions to contribute to cultural development are instead intimidated and emotionally disturbed. They face negative stigma that not only damages their professional reputations but also taints the artistic and cultural experience that should have been positive.

 

6. Conclusion

We urge the relevant parties to correct these erroneous statements and reports and to provide a more accurate and fair explanation of the role of resident artists in the Tubaba Art Festival. We also hope that the term "seniman" can be restored to its correct meaning, as individuals who play a crucial role in cultural exchange and the development of the arts, both locally and internationally.

This statement is made as a form of clarification and defense of the resident artists who have contributed to cultural development in Tubaba.

 

Sincerely, 

The Committee of Tubaba Art Festival #8

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