The Power of Emak-emak is a collaborative ecology and urban farming project with a group of mothers in Bandung, Indonesia. The term “the power of mothers” is very common in memes spread throughout Indonesian social media. These memes describe the behavior of mothers, especially on the highway when riding automatic motorbikes. Every incident recorded in these memes shows how mothers can do things that sometimes don’t make sense. Mothers in the Cibogo area use the term “The Power of Mothers” as a slogan to show their abilities.
Through this project, we harness the potential of mothers in Cibogo Village to maintain a clean environment. Among the activities they engage in through this project, they distribute plants from the gardens they manage to the community. The gardens they currently have will be repaired, and production will increase. In addition, these mothers carry out a campaign to clean the environment through the “clean Friday” program and a program to distribute seeds to other gardens.
This project began with the mapping and collecting of data on the capacity of the farms the mothers currently manage. Thereafter, these farms undergo a process of building and repair. Finally, the yields from these farms will be distributed to the surrounding community.
Through this project, the activities of the mothers of Cibogo can be supported and developed. It is hoped that their family members will begin to be influenced to care more about the environment in which they live. By appreciating and supporting their activities, it is hoped that something can be left behind by this project and will continue to survive and thrive into the future.
Vincent Rumahloine is a contemporary artist based in Bandung, Indonesia. His work mainly revolves around people: from social issues, traditional values, human relations, and collective memories to build a connection between art, science, and communities. For his artistic practice, he works closely with different groups within the community, such as mothers and children, to address critical issues and collaborate to solve their problems. His work bridges gaps in society by adding a twist of uncanniness and using artistic strategies to get closer to the experiences and lives of (non-art-minded) others.
Participants are Ela Nurlaela, Sri Hayati, Nur Asiah, Ilah, Iis Sukaesih, Siti Salamah, Rina Tarlina, Dede Kurianti, Kokom Sugiarti, Ani Suarni, Elah Laela Sari, Neneng Rohaeti, Imas Saripah, Oong Suryana, Roni, Hermawati, Sinta, Nur Mulyani, Siti Oliah, Neng Wartikah, Djuli Pamungkas, Arsya Ardiansyah, Tegar Pratama and Della Sabarini.