In her works, Chiharu Shiota not only expresses her personal emotions and experiences but also receives inspiration from other forms of art, including poetry. Through its serene installations, The Soul Trembles opens up a conducive environment for visitors to respond and express themselves.

Between the Lines invites friends and families, and writers or poets for a weekend stroll along the exhibition. Throughout the program, we will provide participants with tours, and poetry readings from submitters and guest poets enveloped in its end with an open mic session open for all.

Museum MACAN invites the public to participate through two submission channels. The first channel encourages the public to write a poem based on one of the seven highlighted installations in the exhibition prior to their visit. During the visit, they can read their piece in front of the artworks of their choice. Meanwhile the second channel invites the public to join our stroll as an audience, and write their original piece along the way. They will have a chance to share their writing during the open mic session on Saturday, 4 March 2023 at 01.00–04.00 PM.

Express your feelings through words in a poetry — write, speak or listen to these emotions as we stroll through Chiharu Shiota’s exhibition! Each poet with get 1 (one) complimentary museum ticket to come and find inspiration to write their original piece. Click the button below to register! New updates: 

Important Dates:

Our Between the Lines poetry writing open call has reached the maximum number of registration, hence we have to close the registration form early.

Thank you for your enthusiasm for this session. Even though the open call has been closed, you are open to come to our Open Mic session as appreciators.

Important Dates

• Registration Period: 20–28 February 2023 (closed);
• Open Mic Session: 4 March 2023 at 01.00–04.00 PM

Azarine Kyla Arinta

Azarine Kyla Arinta, also known as Chos, is an amateur spoken-word poet who enjoys pouring their heart into writing and drawing inspiration from their surroundings. Chos aspires to convey raw emotion through spoken word poetry, weaving the story of life, love, heartbreak, and human emotion.

Her first foray into the world of poetry came while working for the British Council, where she coordinated a poetry event with a Jakarta independent bookstore, POST, and a Neu! Reekie! Edinburgh-based literary collective and art production house. They began performing at the Sastra Santai x Unmasked Open Mic Proud Poetry Night at Bar Gina, and later at the Unspoken Poetry Slam's poetry night for the Southeast Asia Queer Cultural Festival, where she performed her original pieces about their experience as a queer person in Indonesia. 

Candra Hayu & Bageur Al Ikhsan

Hayu & Bageur are two separate entities in this lifetime who share the same fondness for writing as an attempt to understand themselves—to be able to learn, unlearn, and relearn all of their journeys.

They have been performing spoken word poetry separately since 2019 but recently started to perform as a duet from stage to stage. Their latest duet performances take place in the Grand Opening of EveryThey Coffee, #RightsFest Amnesty International Indonesia, and Rasasastra Art Festival, the satellite event of Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.

Doni Marmer 

Doni Marmer is a Bali-based spoken word poet and founder of the first-ever poetry slam platform, 'Unspoken’ in Bali. Since 2018, he has hosted more than 12 talented Balinese poets to thrive and speak about Indonesia's unspoken (or taboo) topics, from fighting against homophobia, political injustice, environmental degradation and domestic violence. He found his confidence in stage performance in Bali after championing Ubud Writers & Readers Festival poetry slam in 2015.

Recently relocated to Jakarta, Doni is trying to find his creative ground and thrive at a slow pace, forming a mindset against the hustle and bustle culture of the town itself. Doni’s writing mainly revolves around social criticism, in a satirical and cynical way, but makes it fun to perform and read by others.