A reflective artistic journey that intertwines history and imagination to reveal how yesterday’s echoes shape tomorrow’s possibilities

The exhibition Tiba Tanpa Berangkat presents a thoughtful dialogue about the nation’s direction through the works of Maharani Mancanagara and Nurrachmat Widyasena. Taking place at D Gallerie, Jakarta, from 8 November to 7 December 2025, it features 25 works, including individual pieces and collaborative creations. With support from Dr. Melani Setiawan, Enrico Iskandar, Luly Iskandar, Syafi Hakim, Casagoods as the space designer, and curator Chabib Duta Hapsoro, the exhibition welcomes visitors daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

The exhibition stems from a central question: what if the nation’s progress is slowed by the interests of those in power? What if the development of knowledge is guided primarily by specific agendas? Through their works, the two ITB graduates invite visitors to reflect on the interconnected relationship between power, history, and the future.

Maharani Mancanagara examines the long-standing link between knowledge and authority, particularly dating back to the colonial era. She explores how research and scientific efforts were used to serve colonial objectives. One example is the Botanical Gardens, originally established as a site for studying commodity plants. Maharani channels these reflections into works created with acrylic paint, wood, and charcoal, depicting plant objects and planting processes. The use of charcoal represents historical residue that burns into memory, creating a contemplative space on how the past continues to influence the present.

Nurrachmat Widyasena, or Mas Ito, encourages visitors to imagine a future full of potential yet frequently hindered. Using a retrofuturism approach, he questions how Indonesia’s science and technology policies still reflect outdated perspectives. As a result, technological development does not fully benefit the public and is often slowed by bureaucracy and centralized decision-making. His works feature astronauts, satellites, and metal elements disrupted by arrows, symbolizing the many obstacles that obstruct progress.

The exhibition presents three categories of works: individual pieces from each artist and collaborative works. Among them are three rice field landscape paintings paired with poignant texts about current issues, adding a reflective dimension for visitors. One of the most notable pieces is an installation resembling an old wooden radio box that plays a radio drama featuring a conversation among three teenagers about the past, present, and future, written collaboratively by both artists.

To enrich the experience, the exhibition includes a comfortable seating area with sofas, tables, and books, allowing visitors to enjoy the radio drama in a relaxed environment.

Through Tiba Tanpa Berangkat, visitors are encouraged to reconsider the nation’s path forward: how the past shapes the present and how today’s decisions shape the future. The exhibition invites everyone to reflect, understand, and revisit the long journey we continue to navigate together.

photo source: instagram.com/dgalleriejakarta

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