Episode 7: Made Bayak – Plasticology and revisiting ancient knowledge

In this conversation, I’m joined by artist, Educator, and Musician, Made Bayak based in Bali, Indonesia. Over the last ten years, his ongoing series of projects Plasticology (which combines the words ‘plastic’ and ‘ecology’) have critically responded to issues of plastic waste in Bali and its impacts towards the environment, cultural rituals, health, and education. We talked about the developments of Plasticology and how the concerns related to our environment are very much entwined to our culture, traditions, and ways of being. He shared about the importance of revisiting ancient knowledge that has for so long respected the environment in developing new rituals, and the power of art in bringing communities together to take action.

About Made Bayak

Made Bayak was born in 1980 in Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali. He first learned and encountered art during his childhood watching his grandfather drawing and writing ancient Balinese manuscripts. Since 2010, he has been developing his ongoing series of artworks and workshops Plasticology which brings to light issues of plastic waste particularly in Bali. He exhibits his works regularly in Bali and recently exhibited in Germany and Poland. He was nominated as a finalist in Singapore’s prestigious 2013 Sovereign Art Prize. Bayak is also a guitarist in the local heavy metal rock band Geekssmile, whose mission, via the lyrical content of their music and social activism to communicate with and to be a voice for the younger generations. “Let’s us all be a part of this phenomenon of social change that is occurring – as we are. If you are a writer do with it with the power of your words, if you are a musician do it with your songs and your music. As an artist, you can do it by the messages within your work.” “For me as a visual artist and a musician, I will be socially active in these positive ways.”

Find out more at madebayak.com