VOICE OF MELANCHOLIA AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART AT BANGKOK ART BIENNALE 2018

This study sets focus on problem of identity and melancholia which are framed in works of Southeast Asia contemporary art. Art works become main media to utter criticism of disrupted daily circumstances that slowly put the voices of the marginalized identity in burden. We start from acknowledge of liberating art space therefore it will be able to the acknowledge of art as bridging entity from the non-philosophy and philosophy framework. The acknowledge assists this writing in the placement of art as media of criticism so it won’t be stationed at acknowledge of art as an art. Then we determine Julia Kristeva’s suffering and melancholia theory as comparison analytics tools of the art works which took specific theme of cultural identity per region. In particular, we analyze the works of Southeast Asia contemporary artists as they took place at Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand from October 19, 2018 – February 3, 2019. Comparison of every works assist us to the conclusion which strengthens our quest from earlier stage of exertion the art works as media to vocalize the social issues, conflict of identity, and minority oppression in the development of Southeast Asia contemporary art