The ideology of RajutKejut: a collective craftivist movement utilizes digital technology in the making

Abstract

The Covid 19 pandemic has hit all countries in the world. It forced everyone to stop their outdoor activities. Humans need to interact socially. People are then forced to explore new modes so that they can continue to have social interactions and face-to-face interactions, by optimally utilizing digital technology. Meanwhile, biennale art events now present many works by artists with activism backgrounds. In 2021, the Jakarta Biennale invites RajutKejut as a collective artist with works that can move people through art, or produce works of art by movement. RajutKejut is conceptualized as craftivism through crocheting works that contain messages, in a public space, produced by crocheters with a spirit of activism. This research raises research questions, about how craftivism can play a role in the uncertain post-covid-19 situation and conditions, and what are the characteristics of RajutKejut craftivism so this community can survive to this day. The research aims to gain knowledge of RajutKejut craftivism ideology as an alternative solution in dealing with the art events during the uncertain post-covid-19 situation and conditions. The research uses qualitative methods with the phenomenological paradigm using intertextuality studies. Therefore, research on the creators of RajutKejut is carried out through intertextuality studies with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Researchers see 'sharing space' as a community spirit that occupies an important position when crocheters create works. In the practice of working, RajutKejut uses approaches or methods for art activism, using art or crocheting works as a medium to conveying messages for change. Researchers found a statement that RajutKejut craftivism is the spirit of happiness through togetherness, in a participatory and expressive way, sharing space for social sensitivity. This spirit forms the ideology of RajutKejut, which is seizing for mutual pleasure through a work that 'liberates'.