LBH Yogyakarta Blends Art and Archives to Commemorate Human Rights Day

KBRN, Yogyakarta: To mark Human Rights Day, the Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Yogyakarta) is presenting a poignant exhibition titled “Titik Rapuh Republik” (Fragile Points of the Republic) at the Langgeng Art Foundation, December 17–22, 2025.

This event intertwines historical archives with contemporary art to confront critical human rights issues that have shaped Indonesia over the past two decades.

By placing memory and testimony at the center, the exhibition becomes a collective force of empathy, sharpening public awareness while urging the state to uphold its citizens’ fundamental rights.

Art here transcends aesthetics, serving as a living archive of resistance and advocacy. Thirty-two artists from across Indonesia present works documenting tragic milestones: the murders of labor activist Marsinah, journalist Udin, human rights defender Munir, and the “Petrus” mysterious shootings.

These pieces resist erasure, reminding audiences that a republic falters when violence is denied and citizens are forced into silence.

Julian Duwi Prasetia, Director of LBH Yogyakarta, stressed that human rights violations remain a present reality. “Titik Rapuh Republik is not a ceremony or celebration; it is a collective moment to gather memories and affirm our stance on humanitarian issues in Indonesia today,” he said on December 17.

The initiative began with the reopening of fragile archives stored in LBH’s office, uncovering cases demanding public remembrance. “Through those archives, we found a starting point for reflection, both for artists, civil society, and students, to tell the state we reject the current crisis of democracy,” Julian added.The Arsip Budaya dan Warisan (ABDW) Art Project from Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, designed a shirt-based artwork incorporating newspaper clippings to spotlight the history of the “Petrus” (mysterious shootings) cases in their region. (Photo: RRI/Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala)

The exhibition is organized around seven themes: Repressed Labor and Bodies, Truth at Stake, Land and Space to Live, Threatening Laws, Artidjo Alkostar as a Patron of Values, The Nameless Victims, and Memory as Resistance. Together, they provide a platform for citizens to reclaim freedom and voice dissent against the state’s trajectory.

Blending performance art, documentary films, victim testimonies, and historical archives, Titik Rapuh Republik ensures that past suffering is not normalized and that collective memory remains a vibrant force for justice.

Among the featured artists is Mirna Layli Dewi from Takengon, Central Aceh, presenting her debut work Selisih Bele Jarak Ari Mara (May We Be Kept from Danger). Rooted in a traditional prayer recited during heavy rains, the piece explores the vulnerabilities of Acehnese women, who have endured political tragedies and natural disasters.

Mirna’s inspiration comes from stories shared by her mother, memories of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), military emergencies, the 2004 tsunami, and recurring earthquakes. “It is psychological trauma specifically felt by Acehnese women, passed down from generation to generation,” she explained.

She connects these historical wounds to today’s environmental crises in Central Aceh and Bener Meriah, where floods and landslides have devastated communities. Mirna described her recent anxiety after losing contact with her family for five days due to power outages and severed communication lines. “The trauma never heals. With the current disasters, it only grows,” she observed.

Through her art, Mirna challenges the marginalization of women in crisis zones and calls for collective empowerment. She insists women must be critical and vocal to reclaim their “space to live” and safety.

Beyond the displays, the exhibition functions as a platform for solidarity. Sales of artworks, sketches, and merchandise will support over a thousand families of victims of political manipulation, including environmental and social activists, who lost livelihoods due to legal persecution.

Funds will also aid survivors of flash floods in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, where agrarian policies have worsened natural disasters. These contributions represent more than material relief; they embody public recognition that social justice and humanity demand active participation from all. ***