Batu

Over the course of the Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency 2024 by Esplanade, Ayu Permata Sari (Indonesia) and Hasyimah Harith (Singapore) have embarked on an exploration that involves contemplation and analysis of the activities, forms, rituals, meanings and myths associated with batu lesung. This traditional mortar, typically located within kitchens, is integral to cooking, particularly within the context of Malay culture.

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For Ayu and Hasyimah, the batu lesung is a symbol encapsulating the intersections of sexuality and gender within Malay society, encompassing both Lampung and Singapore. This endeavour additionally serves as a means to critically evaluate the role assigned to women within the domain of the kitchen. Beyond its physicality, the kitchen extends into an abstract realm to explore taste, banquet, ethics, perspectives and women's bodies in Malay culture.

Ayu & Hasyimah's residency is co-hosted in collaboration with Dance Nucleus and Esplanade Theatres by the Bay