Keloid Reflections

Abstract: Keloid Reflections is a compassionate effort towards the bodily experience of transmen in Indonesia. The performance is based on a novel titled “Keloid'' written by Napol Riel. Through the transmedia method from novel into poetry and bodily performance, we reflected on the psychospiritual development of Napol as transman during his gender-affirming transition. The process includes reading the novel, collecting tangents or fragments for the poem, bodily interpretation of the poem and somatic inquiry. We learned that the spiritual and emotional struggle of transgender people is valid.

Presenter bio: Reksi Adiwiguna (he/him) is an activist and contemporary artist. His previous performances revolved around the issue of woman consciousness and spirituality and also social justice. He’s aware of the positionality and developing bodily methods to cultivate compassion. Napol Riel (he/him) likes fiction and prefers to express his thoughts through writing. He once worked at a media focused on Gender & Islam, and participated in writing classes and seminars related to the issue. Now he works at Umah Ramah foundation delving on Sexuality and Sexual Violence. Ahmad Syahrul (he/him) is A Musician, Comic Artist, and Illustrator. Active as Musician since 2009 until now, making a music according to mood, situation, picture and environment. Most of his music are used for my comic titled “Swarawati”, depression, Loneliness, Regret, doubt, anger, weakness, musing, are mix in my music. Barrbalion Victoria Hanzael (he/him) is a transman and undergraduate student. He first participated in nationwide online poetry at Indonesia Kaya in 2020. Then he displayed his artwork with the theme "Me and My Universe" at the Titik Simpang Festival managed by Qbukatabu in 2023. Lacahya (she/her) has been active in the arts since 2010, then has been actively writing professionally since 2015. She has played roles in the local theater and movies of Ranjang Milik, Widji, and Bara as well as writing theater scripts and Bara's film scripts.

Affiliation: Umah Ramah Foundation