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Journal : Enigma in Cultural

Curating Dissent: Indigenous Artistic Interventions as Counter-Narratives in Settler-Colonial Archives Mary-Jane Wood; Caelin Damayanti; Dian Rahayu; Sandro Louise Oliveirra; Muhammad Hasan
Enigma in Cultural Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Enigma in Cultural
Publisher : Enigma Institute

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61996/cultural.v3i1.101

Abstract

Settler-colonial archives have historically functioned as instruments of state power, perpetuating narratives that erase or marginalize Indigenous peoples' histories, knowledges, and sovereignties. This study investigated the growing phenomenon of contemporary Indigenous artistic interventions within these institutions, framing them as critical acts of "curating dissent" that challenge the archival claim to objective truth. This research employed a qualitative, comparative case study methodology to analyze three distinct, institutionally-sanctioned artistic interventions in major settler-colonial archives in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand between 2020 and 2024. A multi-modal data collection strategy included visual analysis of the artworks, textual analysis of archival records, and thematic analysis of 25 semi-structured interviews with artists, curators, and community members. The analysis revealed three primary strategies of intervention: (1) "Re-contextualization and Juxtaposition," which disrupts colonial classifications by placing Indigenous epistemologies alongside archival records; (2) "Embodied Knowledge and Affective Encounters," which uses performance and sensory elements to reanimate ancestral connections within the archive; and (3) "Digital Sovereignty and Archival Remixing," which leverages digital tools to reclaim and re-narrate colonial documents. Institutional responses ranged from enthusiastic collaboration to forms of negotiated resistance and containment. In conclusion, within the specific context of sanctioned projects, Indigenous artistic interventions function as potent decolonial practices that create new spaces for Indigenous knowledge and memory to flourish. This study proposes the concept of "Archival Acupuncture," a theoretical framework for understanding how these targeted, therapeutic interventions can systemically alter the narrative body of the archive to foster restorative justice. These acts signal a critical shift, demanding archives become active partners in a more just future.
The Resilient Thread: Digital Archiving and the Semantic Revitalization of Palembang's Songket Weaving Traditions Dian Rahayu; Iqbal Anugerah; Henry Peter Paul
Enigma in Cultural Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024): Enigma in Cultural
Publisher : Enigma Institute

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.61996/cultural.v2i2.113

Abstract

Palembang's Songket, a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage, faces significant threats from modernization and the gradual erosion of its tacit knowledge, particularly the philosophical meanings embedded within its motifs. This study addressed the urgent need for a preservation model that transcends simple digitization by focusing on semantic revitalization. This research employed a multi-phase, mixed-methods approach conducted between 2023 and 2025. We developed a comprehensive digital archive through high-resolution photogrammetry of 150 heritage Songket textiles and ethnographic fieldwork, including in-depth interviews with 15 master weavers in Palembang. A bespoke semantic ontology was constructed using Web Ontology Language (OWL) to map the complex relationships between motifs, techniques, materials, and their socio-cultural meanings. This ontology formed the backbone of an interactive web-based platform, "The Songket Legacy," which was subsequently evaluated through a user engagement study with 50 participants from diverse backgrounds, including weavers, designers, and students. The project resulted in a robust digital archive containing over 50 gigabytes of data. The Songket Semantic Ontology successfully defi ned 75 distinct motifs and established over 400 relational assertions, linking visual patterns to their historical narratives and philosophical underpinnings. The user engagement study yielded a high System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 85.5. Qualitative feedback confirmed that the semantic framework significantly enhanced users' understanding and appreciation of Songket, with 92% of participants reporting an increased ability to interpret motif symbolism. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that a semantic-web approach offers a powerful methodology for the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage. By creating a "living" digital archive that makes tacit knowledge explicit and accessible, this project provides a scalable model for preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of Palembang's Songket for future generations, fostering both cultural continuity and creative innovation.