Bio Fantasy

{ Bio Fantasy } is a tribute to Chairil Anwar and the center point of Tulisan’s Fall & Winter 2015-2016 collection. Chairil Anwar was the pioneer of “Angkatan 45” (Indonesia’s art and literary movement that began in 1945). Most Indonesians are familiar with Anwar’s most celebrated poems Aku and Krawang- Bekasi; however, today, information pertaining to his work, his life, and his credo is not widely available. Bio Fantasy seeks to continue the discourse Anwar began. He was a literary mastermind who single-handedly broke through every conventional protocol and created a new paradigm for Indonesian poetry. His rebellious use of casual diction, unorthodox patterns, and innovative syntax has never failed to inspire new generations of artists, philosophers, and poets.

This collection is accompanied by an original Sci-Fi short story by Melissa Sunjaya that reveals how courage and mental liberation can be found through the poetry of literary maestro Chairil Anwar. Illustrating a futuristic setting in the year 2942, the story reflects on the idea that humans can easily bring great harm to their surroundings if they do not understand themselves. The project features 75 illustrated editions by Melissa Sunjaya, depicting a cornucopia of imaginary microscopic cells. Hand-lettered excerpts of Chairil Anwar’s poetry are secretly embedded in these works of art and can only be viewed with a red film lens.

Similar to microbial symbiosis, our modern society is always evolving. Cyber-anthropology examines the changing role that distance, age, gender, and social status play in modern life. With this new field of study in mind, Tulisan developed a collection that embraces the ideas embodied by the millennial generation. Using vibrant color palettes paired with modern yet practical silhouettes, we aimed to craft stylish and dynamic products that celebrate the drive to explore one’s own unique individuality.