Explore the art of Natasha Tontey exclusively at Museum Macan

Artist Natasha Tontey has launched her highly anticipated exhibition, Primate Visions: Macaque Macabre, at Museum MACAN (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Immersive Art

This immersive, multimedia installation delves into the complex relationship between the black-crested macaques (yaki) and the indigenous people of South Minahasa, Tontey’s ancestral homeland. The exhibition invites viewers into a fictional world that questions the boundaries between humans and animals, exploring themes of symbiosis, conservation and cultural rituals.

Tontey (b. 1989) draws inspiration from her deep connection to Minahasan traditions, including local rituals and social practices. The yaki, revered as part of the community’s daily life, are also seen as pests, invading villages and raiding crops. However, the macaques are also recognised as an endangered species, prompting international calls for their protection.

Art That Makes You Think

Tontey’s work examines these conflicting perspectives, inviting reflection on how humans relate to and sometimes exploit the animal world. At the heart of Primate Visions: Macaque Macabre is a single-channel film following two primatologists who release a group of captive macaques into the wild.

Through a blend of speculative fiction and playful storytelling, the film envisions a future where humans and animals can coexist more harmoniously. The narrative draws on the Minahasan Mawolay ritual, where locals don monkey-like costumes to scare off macaques. By reinterpreting this ritual, Tontey challenges the audience to rethink human-animal interactions and embrace empathy, understanding, and patience.

More Art To Enjoy

The film is accompanied by an installation that includes original props and costumes from the set, immersing viewers in the narrative and providing a tangible connection to the film’s fantastical world. Inspired by B movies and DIY filmmaking, Tontey’s use of low-budget aesthetics reflects Indonesia’s rich tradition of creative, resourceful cinema.

Primate Visions: Macaque Macabre is a multisensory experience that invites audiences to explore the shared emotional and cultural connections between humans and animals. Commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary, this exhibition reflects the brand’s belief in the power of creativity to foster understanding and connect people across boundaries.