Iswanto Hartono: Kemuning (a Prologue)

What role does art play in confronting and processing the colonial past? We speak with Indonesian conceptual artist Iswanto Hartono and get some impressions of his new project, in which he invites us to reflect on the lingering impacts of colonialism and its deep-rooted scars on personal and collective memory.

Through an immersive cinematic exploration, Iswanto Hartono traces the intertwined lives of three generations of his family. The project is a moving reflection on his family’s journey through Indonesia’s complex colonial and postcolonial eras. Drawing from family photographic archives and histories, the project serves as a powerful narrative about trauma, resistance, survival, and the search for identity in an evolving nation. Hartono’s work challenges us to think about how political forces shape identity and memory, offering a lens through which to understand Indonesia’s history and its postcolonial legacy.

About the speaker
Iswanto Hartono (1972) is an Indonesian conceptual artist whose multidisciplinary approach often focuses on socio-political issues and the complexities of postcolonial identity. In 2022, he served as a key member of Ruangrupa, the Indonesian collective that curated Documenta Fifteen, a prestigious international art exhibition held in Germany. Hartono’s work continues to inspire conversations about the intersections of art, politics, and history, both within Indonesia and globally.

About Forum on European Culture
Who’s afraid of art? Now that tyrants are on the roll and more and more people in the West seem to be falling for the autocratic alternative, Forum on European Culture 2025 (June 25 – June 29) brings together international artists, writers, and thinkers to celebrate the subversive power of art and literature.