"Give up, Gan!"
A self-organized artist residency
2026 | 13 Jan - 10 Feb (28 days) | Bandung, Indonesia
This project was funded by a painting commission from Mr. Lim Hock Leng
Livia (left) & Millicent (right)
Oil on canvas
80cm x 60cm (x2), 2026
"Give up, Gan!" (GUGA) is a (nearly) month-long self-organized and funded residency in Bandung, Indonesia. GUGA is generously hosted by Ra.Kar.Sa, an art foundation founded by a bunch of lovely fellas and is based in Bandung. GUGA have four areas of interest, or "research" if you prefer.
Related links
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Time and space to work on my new video essay, One, Two, One, Two.
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Expand my creative network in Bandung.
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Recce venues and meeting possible partners for collaborative projects.
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Testing the sustainability of a self-organized and funded residency at cities in Southeast Asia .
My work desk in Ciumbuleuit, Bandung. Coffee gets cold fast here.
1. One, Two, One, Two (OTOT)
This video essay features spoken words by Low Shao Lyn and Amanda Gayle. Both are trained and practicing graphic designers. Shao is also an urban farming activist and Amanda has recently expanded her practice into contemporary art.
In OTOT, Shao speaks about the technicalities of working with, or control the chaotic nature of nature to grow things. And in an almost parallel narrative, Amanda talked about the controlled chaos of her creative process. Both were recorded separately and the ‘narrative’ of OTOT was found on the editing timeline.
Screencap from One, Two, One, Two
OTOT is not a documentary about Shao or Amanda. It started as an exercise in playing with moving images and sound. But in that process OTOT became a strange record of the editing process. Part discovery, and part speculative exploration on how we use the framework of language to understand and define our subjective reality.
OTOT stacks three main narratives over each other. Shao's and Amanda's spoken words, the moving images and sound prompted by their spoken words and finally, superimposed words, phrases and quotes by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. The simultaneous and parallel juxtaposition of these three elements creates multiple narratives and meanings that flows, merges and diverts.
A micro clip from my current draft of One, Two, One, Two.
The time in Bandung provided me the head space to review what I already have and discover a few leads to develop further. The current draft is single channel and about 40 minutes long. I would love to stage an event with it in KL, hopefully in 2026.
2 & 3. Networking & Spaces
I was hosted by Ra.Kar.Sa. For me, they are a collective founded by a group of friends to explore other possible functions of art besides white cube presentation. Basically a group of good people with an interest in art-lah. Ra.kar.sa is officially registered as a foundation and the members are
Ra.Kar.Sa introduced me to artists, art & creative spaces, schools and exhibitions in Bandung. Below is a list of spaces to visit if you’re in Bandung.
"Give up, Gan" Project Proposal (webpage)
AI slop from a still taken at an exhibition at Orbital Dago
Rage Against the Muchsin by Argya Dhyaksa
AI slop from a still taken at ArtSociates Art Gallery & Cafe
Art Spaces
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Yayasan Bubuara Jelekong Indonesia (YBJI)
Art schools
Indonesian artists, and people in general, are friendly and approachable. If you’re interested in having a longer conversation for research or just to ngopi (chat over coffee), do reach out to them on Instagram or Facebook to set up an appointment before you visit.
Ngopi session with recent graduates from UPI.
Met them in 2024 during the Bandung International Film Festival.
4. Self-organized and funded residency
Expenditure (28 Days, RM1 = IDR4000)
(Click on item for more details)
Staying Alive Without Cash
Like most in our region, Indonesia is transitioning to cashless transactions via their QR code system, Qris. Our Grab and Touch N Go (TNG) app works in Indonesia. The Grab app interface will automatically have an extra motorcycle ride option when we land in Indonesia.
This payment system is widely adopted, from fancy restaurants to roadside Soto stalls. Some places don't even accept cash, or only do if we don't mind the change. Upon scanning, our TNG app will show us the amount in Ringgit, which saves us from calculating the conversion. There is no transaction fee as far as I can tell. Although one Soto stall in Bandung charge me an extra IRD1000 (about 25 cents) when I paid using Qris.
We should still bring some cash because the 2 places that TNG didn’t work are Indomaret and Alfamart, Indonesia’s equivalent to our KK Mart and 99 Speed Mart. There are many bigger toserba (Toko Serba Ada or supermarkets) and shopping malls around if we need. I didn’t have any problems using TNG at those places.
Image from https://qris.interactive.co.id
Flight (return)
RM730
There was a time when there were direct flights from K.L to Bandung. We would land within the city itself and it is a short Grab ride to the city centre. I was told by Grab riders that it was common for Malaysians to make day trips (especially on weekends) to Bandung to shop, eat and enjoy the colder climate.
That airport, Husein Sastranegara International Airport, is currently closed to international flights. No news of when or if it'll ever receive international flights again. The other "direct" route is to land at the new Kertajati International Airport. Which is a 3 hours bus ride from Bandung. AirAsia, at the time of writing, does not have flights there.
For the moment, we need to land in Jakarta and make our way to Bandung. So, my route was KLIA 2 > Soekarno Hatta International Airport > Halim station (Whoosh) > Padalarang Station (Feeder train included in the Whoosh ticket) > Bandung Station.
Airport transfer
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Home > KLIA 2 (x2)
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Soekarno Hatta to Woosh station(x2)
RM150
RM150
KLIA 2 (KUL) to Soekarno Hatta (CGK)
This is straight forward and takes about 2 hour-ish.
Soekarno Hatta International Airport to Halim station
A bit more tricky. It's less than 40km away, but the legendary Jakarta macet (traffic jam) is an unpredictable variable. A Grab ride is about RM70 and takes about 50 minutes if the traffic permits. I was told by the driver he was stuck in traffic for 3 hours the day before because of flooding.
DAMRI buses are available and located on the extreme left of the airport main exit. Tickets can be bought online via DAMRI’s app and website or in person via their kiosk. Both are cashless transactions and both didn’t work for me. I'm such a dinosaur.
Thankfully we can pay with cash as we board the bus. If I remember correctly the frequency is a bus every 45 minutes and cost about RM20. I was advised by the bas driver to give more time between transit points and just assume there will be traffic jams.
Halim station to Padalarang to Bandung station
Smooth sailing from here on in. About a 30 minute trip instead of a 3 hour bus ride. A quick transit at Padalarang station, so just follow the crowd and 20+ minutes later we’re at Bandung station.
Alternatively we can take the intercity bus from Jakarta to Bandung. It's way cheaper but takes a lot longer, but I was told by a Grab driver that travelling is about taking the time to enjoy the view. Iya, mas.
Tickets for both Whoosh and buses can be bought online or in-person at the station's loket (counter).
Halim Station (Whoosh)
photo from Wikipedia.com
Accommodation (30 days)
RM680
The Kos, Kost, Kosan or Kost-Kosan
Kos, Kosan or Kost-kosan (often shortened to “kost”) is an Indonesian term for a boarding house or rented room, usually intended for students, young professionals, or migrant workers who need affordable, semi-independent living. from Chatgpt
I stayed at a spanking new Kos that is located near two universities. The advantage of being near unis is the businesses surrounding that area caters to the young students population. Life is so much easier and necessarily louder and busier, if that's your vibe.
Promo photos from the place I stayed via their Instagram account.
I paid about RM680 for a 30 day stay, plus a RM250 deposit, returned via online transfer upon checking out. Obviously there are cheaper and more expensive ones depending on the amenities and location. My experience was that booking via AirBnB is much more expensive than dealing with the Kos directly. Most Kos have social media accounts, and we can just DM them directly to enquire.
There's a common kitchen and water dispenser on every floor. The kitchen is quipped with basic cooking utensils and microwave oven. There isn’t a common laundry area, but there are a few laundromats near where I was. With an average price of RM2 per kg for basic wash and dry (3-4 days turnaround) or around RM5 per kg for next day delivery.
My room is on the first of 3 floors building. Every floor has a security door accessible only via a security card. Overall my stay was comfortable, safe and uneventful, just the way I prefer.
Promo photos from the place I stayed via their Instagram account.
Promo photos from the place I stayed via their Instagram account.
There's a common kitchen and water dispenser on every floor. The kitchen is quipped with basic cooking utensils and microwave oven. There isn’t a common laundry area, but there are a few laundromats near where I was. With an average price of RM2 per kg for basic wash and dry (3-4 days turnaround) or around RM5 per kg for next day delivery.
My room is on the first of 3 floors building. Every floor has a security door accessible only via a security card. Overall my stay was comfortable, safe and uneventful, just the way I prefer.
Sundry
RM200
Because it's not a hotel, we are expected to prepare certain amenities on our own. We need to bring our own towels for instance.
I bought an extension cable because there are only 2 power points located at awkward locations. And also a kettle and thermos because coffee turns cold too quickly in Bandung.
Indonesian plug types - Type C & Type F
Photo from world-power-plugs.com
Actually I bought a whole bunch of stuff. Tissue and toilet paper, broom, floor mat, hand towel, wet wipes, mosquito repellent, and other what have you from a toserba nearby.
Local transport - average RM10/day
RM300
Getting Around
Bandung has a dense population and is hilly AF. If we combine the citizens of the metropolitan area with those from the surrounding jurisdictions that go to work in the city, the total is, (according to Qwen AI) about 9 million people.
An illustration of the hilly terrain,in Bandung.
For me, motorcycles are the go-to mode of transport. Quick, cheaper and easily hailed via a ride app. The helmet is provided by the rider which is helpful. But if you prefer, you can buy one at the toserba for your stay. As with everything there's a range, and a basic but safe one cost under RM30.
My general impression is Bandung, despite the gentle climate, is not really meant for walking. Much like KL, the city prioritizes cars and motorcycles over pedestrians. But more importantly with the natural hilly terrain, 1km on a map can feel like 3km when taking into account the steep descent and elevation of the route.
Food - average RM25/day
RM675
Food and Ngopi
The taste of everyday food in Bandung is familiar to my Malaysian palate. Rice and noodle based dishes are affordable, tasty and everywhere. Again, there's a range, fancy and pricier variations are also everywhere. I’m not a foodie, so most days I have Bakso or Soto with gorengan (fritters galore) or have the Indonesia Chap-fan or Nasi Campur, near the place I stay. The average price per meal from these places is about RM6 - 8. But there are plenty to sample if you’re a foodie.
The Sundanese Chap-fan place near my dorm.
photo from Google maps
Cafes are everywhere. There are at least 8 within walking distance (500m radius) from where I stay. On average a cup of long black cost around RM6 - 7, which is around Luckin Coffee prices. On most days when I’m working on my video essay and are not out and about, I spend under RM20 a day on food and coffee. If you can cook and make your own coffee, it'll likely be lower.
Bakso Solo Pak Gilang is my default breakfast.
Comes with a squirting meat ball ala God of Cookery!
Spesial Soto Boyolali Hj. Hesti is yummms.
Internet
RM120
Internet
The Internet at the place I stayed and other places I’ve been is fast and reliable. We’ll need to get a roaming pass or e-sim to use the Grab and TNG app. I paid around RM118 for a high-speed 30 day pass (100mbps, I think @3gig/day). More than adequate for me. I only doomscroll at night at the dorm where internet is included in the rent.
Total RM3005
A view from Bandung
photo by Jhon Paul99 from vecteezy.com/
Post Residency Thoughts
The City
Bandung is a very easy city to live in. With amenities we expect from any cosmopolitan cities in the world. The climate is gentle, with temperatures that averages between 18 degrees (night) to 26 degrees (day). A Canadian dude I met there called it "The city of eternal spring", which sounds apt. A big plus for me is the rain there usually does not include ear splitting thunder.
If you're looking for a city to getaway for a month, then Bandung is a destination you can consider. Malaysian passport gets a 30 days landing visa.
SEAblings
I visited a few galleries or art spaces during my stay. What I noticed was the lack of art by foreign artists. Particularly artists from the Southeast Asia region. Most spaces have collections and/or mainly showcase Indonesian art. And according to friends when they do show artists from abroad, they are usually from Europe or Far East countries. Understandable but mildly troubling.
I do see art from Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia from time to time in KL. From commercial galleries showcasing younger regional artists to private collections that usually feature mid-career to established foreign artists. It might not be in high numbers but it’s not uncommon either. There is a market for Southeast Asian art in KL. I'm not sure if there is one in Bandung. I'm not even sure if there's a curiosity about artists from KL in Bandung.
At the moment, if I want to make a solo painting exhibition outside of KL, I’ll go to Singapore or even Jogjakarta and not Bandung. I’m not sure, but I think I’ll lose money staging a show in Bandung. If this is true, then it's a shame. Because we really do share many commonalities in language, culture, food and other socio-economic and political realities. Perhaps in this case, familiarity does breed contempt. But let's not get carried away because I'm not sure.
AI Slop from a phot I took at ITB ( Institut Teknologi Bandung)
Give up, Gan!
That's what a Bandung friend told me, in jest, after watching a draft of my new video essay. It’s a difficult 40 minute watch to be fair. But I’m reminded instead of the same comment I heard in my youth when I dreamt of somehow fostering a closer working relationship between practicing artists within our region. Without completely relying on commercial and state institutions for opportunities and grants. There has to be other projects besides those that are press friendly, KPI ticking and necessarily large in scale. I feel we should also work on smaller, more affordable, more sustainable, playful and urgent art projects.
"Give up, Gan!" is ironically, a reminder that I never did, it's just that the conditions back then are not conducive. At 50 years old I feel a need to make small contributions to make the condition a little better. I still believe in artist-to-artist based projects. Projects that are usually more humanistic and enriching. I think a self-organized residency with a local partner fits this description. And it’s much easier to do nowadays.
No budget, no framework, no network and no expertise.
That was my situation 20 years ago. The conditions are better now. I mean, a struggling artist like me can still spend a leisurely month in Bandung with my own funds. To be fair, the support of Ra.Kar.Sa definitely played a big part, without them I wouldn't have thought of doing this in the first place. And I'm happy to report that we have plans for a workshop based project in Bandung in the near future.
Workshops seem like a sensible and doable project. “Tak kenal maka tak cinta", which can be translated as "It's hard to love when you hardly know”. We have to bring something to the table, so to speak. I think an introduction of what KL or Malaysian art and artists are like to the Bandung art community is the right thing to do.
Tetangga
My hope is that this self-organized residency can be a reference for younger Malaysian artists (or those young at heart) who are interested in working away from home, even if it is for only a month, or perhaps, just to look for opportunities outside of KL, and expand their creative network regionally. If we're planning to make art long-term, having a regional network will really help.
While our art scene is growing more diverse and vibrant every year, it is still relatively small. I think it's important that our practices are seen or have some presence outside of our home base. Often it's when we are outside looking back in, that we see a part of who we are that's not immediately obvious. If you need places that offer a view from the outside, our tetangga Indonesia is likely the easiest place to start.