Warung Makan (concept)

Warung Makan (Eatery)
Concept, 2017
Mixed media spacial installation and intervention / Indonesian plastic utensils and other household goods from Indonesia / variable dimensions

In the series of installations and interventions under the title Plastic Indonesia, I would like to realise Warung Makan as the third part after Toko (2014-2019) and Rumah (2014).

Warung Makan is an interior of a typical Indonesian eatery. Anyone who has ever been to Indonesia will recognise it immediately. The space has tables with plastic table cloths, plastic stools in various colours and there are sitting mats with low tables. There is a display case for the various snacks. It is lit with energy-saving lamps and a banner hangs, with the name and logo of Warung Makan on it: ‘Asli’, meaning original and authentic.

The amount of plastic objects in the interior is striking: next to the stools in all colours of the rainbow and the sitting mats with slippers next to them (the typical lesehan style of Yogyakarta) there are lids on the glasses (against dust), serving trays, raincoats, brooms, plates, dish racks for glasses (without the glasses an enigmatic object!), a table container for a toilet roll (toilet rolls are cheaper than napkins) etc.

The installation Warung Makan is a happening which connects groups of people and is only complete with visitors: it is the sum of work plus people. The installation is operational for a certain period of time. At that moment there are Indonesian drinks and snacks, ideally prepared by Indonesian friends of Teguh Hartanto. Our daughter Lina can also do her share in the work; after all, it is normal for a whole family to be in the warung. Outside, an Indonesian parking attendant will be standing with a red running light to direct traffic.