Working in the intersections of arts, history, politics, and spirituality, Voice Against Reason explores the dynamic interplay between language, history, and artistic expression, serving as tools that shapes our perceptions and experiences of the world.

Developed from one of the themes of the exhibition, #everystupidlittlething, that responds the complexities of life and human experiences through absurdity and humor, this session of #MenulisdiMACAN (MACAN writing session) puts the spotlight on stand-up comedy as a form of expression. Based on an observation on the intricacies of society, stand-up comedy provides a reflective lens on societal norms and absurdities that emerge within a community. Humor serves as a social commentary, deftly addressing political, cultural, and relational issues with satire and wit.

Together with comedian Sakdiyah Ma’ruf, we invite our audience to respond to the Voice Against Reason exhibition in an open mic session on Saturday, 30 March 2024, which is accessible to all as a platform for expression, dialogue and creative exchange.

Registration period: 18–29 March 2024

In this #MenulisdiMACAN session, participants are invited to respond to their favorite artworks in the Voice Against Reason exhibition in the form of writing and performing it in an open mic session on Saturday, 30 March 2024 at 4.00–5.30 PM.

Participants will gain access to the museum before the open mic session to find inspiration and develop their materials based on exhibited artworks. Click the button below for more information and registration!

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Sakdiyah Ma'ruf, or known as Diyah, completed her undergraduate degree in Literature, Department of English Literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Sebelas Maret University (Universitas Sebelas Maret or UNS), Surakarta in 2006. She then earned a Master of Arts degree majoring in American Studies from the Faculty of Humanities, Gajah Mada University (Universitas Gajah Mada or UGM), Yogyakarta in 2015.

Sakdiyah currently works in three professions, one of which is as a stand-up comic. She is the first Muslim female stand-up comic in Indonesia who has performed in various television programs, especially on Kompas TV. Apart from television, she is more active in off-air activities in various forums for peace, empowerment, dan equality in Indonesia and various countries such as Oslo Freedom Forum, Norway in 2015 and 2021; Netflix Indonesia International Women's Day 2023; Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy in 2019–2023; and Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2023.

Sakdiyah is the founder and community facilitator of Our Voice Comedy for Change, a stand-up comics community centered on women's voices for social change.