Research Reflections
The ongoing project part of the LICA routes explores the connection between Indonesia and Portugal, beginning with the idea of investigating their colonial historical ties and the institutional archives that preserve these histories. This project revolves around diasporic, personal connections, and institutional memories, exploring on how these narratives are preserved and interpreted through various archives and stories.
The research addresses which institutions hold the archival connections between Portugal and Indonesia during the colonial period and how to reimagine forgotten histories that have faded over time, particularly the most influential colonial legagy in spice trades. A part of the investigation also examines the link between symbolic representations and the present day, adding a personal dimension to the broader research context.
( The crows and the Sailing Ships -Naus- used in the Portuguese Sea Discoveries)
During residency, I discover cultural artifacts that bind the histories. From Archivio Ultramarino, we found documents such as the Macassar Road Map and historical postcards, which provide tangible links to the colonial past. And from the MUNHAC collection, like the butterfly from Natuna and spices from the Maluku Islands, such as clove and nutmeg.
The selected artifacts serve as central symbolic representations and metaphors for the transient nature of memory and history. They emphasize the initial site of Portuguese arrival in Indonesia in 1509 and the economic commodities of the Indonesian archipelago, symbolizing both the exploitation and cultural exchanges characteristic of colonial periods.
This investigation aims not only to document and analyze but also to evaluate the enduring impact of these connections on contemporary identities and memories. By integrating personal narratives with institutional archives, the study elucidates the complex nature of history and emphasizes the necessity of preserving and reinterpreting our collective past. Ultimately, this endeavor seeks to enhance comprehension of the colonial legacy and its persistent influence on modern cultural and historical awareness.
Exhibition is planning in Summer 2025 at Palacio des Belas Artes Lisbon, Portugal