This project delves into the unsettling reality of "buruh siluman," the invisible laborers hidden within Indonesia's palm oil plantations. Inspired by the speculative lens of Javafuturism, akin to Afrofuturism, I explore the silenced narratives of these workers through a blend of research and artistic expression. Javafuturism's grounding in Javanese kejawen, a nature-based belief system, becomes a source of both exploration and metaphor. This project is based on the research of Dr. Hariati Sinaga, researcher/activist in women's labour relations.
The haunting presence of the Melati flower, or Jasmine, carries a dual meaning. Its fragrance evokes otherworldly spirits, echoing the spectral existence of the buruh siluman. Simultaneously, the flower's use as a pseudonym for sexual assault victims in media underscores the vulnerability hidden within these plantations.