Megalithic Magic

Divine Natural Sculptures of Flores

As far back as Neolithic time some 6500 years ago, megalithic cultures have prevailed in numerous civilizations in different parts of the world. Simply put, it is the tradition of stone-worshipping which involves using naturally sculptured stones of considerable sizes – megaliths - to construct large monuments either alone or with other stones.

Think of the majestic and near-supernatural arrangements of Stonehenge in England or Nabta Playa in Egypt. Colossal in size and mystical in origin, they continue to excite the imagination of observers even today.

Not all megalithic traditions employ stones of such grandiose scale. In Indonesia, where living megalithic cultures continues to be found in places such as Nias, Toroja, Sumba, Flores and Timor, megaliths are diminutive in comparison.

In Megalithic Magic, Sin Sin Annex presents an inaugural exhibition of rare megaliths sourced from Flores, a virtually untamed Indonesian volcanic island where megalithic traditions have been practiced since 3-4 century BC, era of the Dongson culture. To this day, animism still runs strong and deep among the Flores people, who believe there exist powerful invisible forces behind - linking the divine world to that of the man. Worshipping the stones is thought to bring luck, health, fertility and prosperity.

Traditionally extracted from the river beds of Flores, Batu Meglitikum – megaliths in the Flores language - are each unique in appearance. Elegantly installed on steel exhibition stands especially designed and commissioned by Sin Sin, the bold and abstract megaliths possess beautiful and graceful silhouettes. Each is one-of-a-kind artifact with its own history that bears witness to Flores’ mysterious civilization and magical nature.