Sejauh Mata Memandang (SMM) incorporates impressive installations into every new collection launch. The same approach is also applied to special occasions, such as World Oceans Day and Earth Day. More than just a local textile label proud of Indonesia’s unique heritage, Chitra Subyakto, SMM’s founder and Creative Director, is also a pioneer of large-scale, concept-driven installations.
Sejauh Mata Memandang (SMM) consistently incorporates impressive installations into its new collection launches. The same approach is also applied to special occasions, such as World Oceans Day and Earth Day. More than just a local textile label proud of Indonesia’s unique identity, Chitra Subyakto, SMM’s founder and Creative Director, has also become a pioneer of large-scale, concept-driven installations.
Why Chitra Subyakto Keeps Creating Large-Scale Installations?
The designer behind SMM believes that environmental change needs a compelling narrative that resonates with people and is easy to embrace. Environmental and nature-related issues are more likely to “hit home” when communicated in an engaging way. One way Chitra does this is through open, free-to-access installations. She often pairs them with collection launches or commemorations of important days. The aim is to make messages about the planet, waste, pollution, and forests feel less preachy, but instead inviting, while offering a sense of hope through collective action.
Just as meaningful action is more effective when done through gotong royong, Chitra takes the same approach. She brings together various creative talents to contribute to her installations and collections. There is Felix Tjahyadi, who is often behind SMM’s unique and monumental installations; Davy Linggar, who contributes to documentation and fashion films; fellow designers such as Eko Nugroho and Adrian Gan, whose installation is currently on view at Plaza Indonesia; and public figures with significant platforms, such as Dian Sastro and Nicholas Saputra. There are also Sahabat Sejauh from the world of publishing, including Michael Pondaag, Fashion Director at Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia, SMM’s appearance as Dewi Fashion Knights, and Genexyz, which created a Metahuman for one of its exhibitions.
The latest addition to this circle is musician Tulus. Aside from being a Sahabat Sejauh, Tulus has also consistently spoken up about environmental issues. Most recently, the two launched a collaborative collection featuring Tulus’ hand-drawn sketches printed onto cotton and Tencel™️ fabric.
As a local label that never stops reminding people to care for the planet, SMM frequently works with NGOs and communities, including Greenpeace Indonesia, TACO, Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastik, Rekosistem, and Rebricks.
From Waste to Something Better
Fashion waste is one of the biggest issues facing the industry today. The data available already makes one thing clear: change is urgently needed. Through the installations it regularly creates, Sejauh Mata Memandang not only showcases the beauty of Nusantara textiles, but also invites the public to discover and understand the meaning of circularity.
How can textile waste, plastic, and everyday rubbish be transformed into meaningful creations, much like their installations? Here are some of the Sejauh Mata Memandang installations that have become favorites of the Written team.
Laut Kita, 2019
Instalasi “Laut Kita”; Foto: Instagram Felix Tjahjadi
Coinciding with Earth Day, this exhibition at Plaza Indonesia serves as a reminder to be grateful for the planet we call home. Every step you take through the space reveals how excessive plastic consumption can have devastating consequences for the environment.
The exhibition is divided into six areas, with bamboo as the primary material and discarded plastic bottles suspended from the ceiling as decorative accents.
Instalasi “Laut Kita” yang dibangun dari bahan-bahan daur ulang; Foto: Instagram Felix Tjahjadi
There are Alam Indonesia, Polusi Plastik, Instalasi Bawah Laut, Ruang Ajakan, Ruang Solusi, and Ruang Janji. It takes approximately 20 minutes to walk through all six rooms.
Laut Kita Masa Depan Kita, 2020
Instalasi Laut Kita Masa Depan Kita di Senayan City; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
It actually ran from November 2019 to February 2020. The installation was announced to coincide with National Children’s Day, while also marking the launch of the Musim Rintik 19/20 collection, titled Daur. The exhibition at Senayan City consisted of Ruang Rumah Nelayan, Ruang Cerita Tentang Plastik, Ruang Kreasi, and Ruang Davy Linggar.
Instalasi Laut Kita Mas Depan Kita; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
SMM collaborated with Felix, who served as the exhibition’s conceptor for this and other SMM installations, as well as Divers Clean Action. The exhibition addressed the increasingly widespread issues of climate change and environmental degradation around the world. Its timing with National Children’s Day was intentional, as the exhibition adopted an interactive concept that could also be understood and enjoyed by children. The message was simple: never give up on preserving our oceans together.
Teach them young, right?
Bumi, Masa Depan Kita, 2024
Bumi, Masa Depan Kita karya Sejauh Mata Memandang di Grand Indonesia; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
The exhibition coincided with World Environment Day and was located at Grand Indonesia, specifically in the Rama Atrium. As with previous installations, it served as a reminder of the current state of planet Earth. “Our Earth is not doing well,” Chitra repeatedly said during the press conference.
Interestingly, this SMM installation also coincided with the anniversary of Jakarta. As a result, the exhibition’s decorative elements were inspired by Betawi culture, including ornamental kembang kelape. There was also a spherical centerpiece made from artisan textiles, resembling the Earth.
Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
SMM collaborated with Genexyz to introduce Metahuman™️. Named LavCaca, this pixel human delivers a message to the public, encouraging people to understand the connection between their everyday consumption and its impact.
Kisah Punah Kita, 2022
Sejauh Mata Memandang’s debut at ArtJog 2022, titled “Kisah Punah Kita”; Photo: Sejauh Mata Memandang
Unlike the three exhibitions above, Kisah Punah Kita marked SMM’s debut at ArtJog. Held at Jogja National Museum, the common thread running through SMM’s exhibition at Indonesia’s largest art event remained the same: a reminder that our home, planet Earth, is not doing well.
Chitra Subyakto di instalasi perdana Sejauh Mata Memandang di ArtJog; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
Their hope in participating in ArtJog was to spread the message to an even wider audience. They invited everyone to become part of the solution to these issues, rather than contributing to pollution. This theme also aligned with ArtJog’s 2022 theme, Expanding Awareness.
Kedai Kita, 2023
Tampak keseluruhan Kedai Kita, kolaborasi SMM dengan Greenpeace Indonesia; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
The climate crisis and food crisis were the central issues explored in this exhibition. Held at Plaza Indonesia, SMM collaborated with Greenpeace Indonesia for the project. Rather than being tied to an environmental observance, the exhibition was created to coincide with COP28, the annual global climate conference held in Dubai.
Daring to give voice to public concerns, the exhibition also featured an event titled “Berhenti Basa Basi Buat Bumi.” The event was rooted in the view that government action was considered, and had proven, ineffective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and controlling the rise in global temperatures. As a result, environmental commitments could come across as little more than basa-basi or empty formalities for the Earth.
Chitra Subyakto di instalasi Kedai Kita; Foto: Greenpeace Indonesia
There are three main areas in Kedai Kita. They are Kopi Tinggal Kenangan, Warung Nasib Kita di Masa Depan (WarNas), and Warung Sejauh Mata Memandang. As usual, the materials used for this exhibition included wooden construction panels from SMM’s activities and fabric scraps from SMM’s production waste, which were recycled and repurposed. Approximately 90% of the exhibition was made using recycled materials.
Pasar Kita, 2025
Currently on view is Pasar Kita at Grand Indonesia. The overarching theme of the exhibition is gotong royong, reflecting the spirit of collective effort. This is expressed through SMM’s collaboration with Tulus for its new collection, as well as with several local artisan communities across Indonesia.
Instalasi menyerupai Panjat Pindang di Pasar Kita, Sejauh Mata Memandang; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
As a Sahabat Sejauh, Tulus brings his own distinctive perspective through deeply thoughtful lyrics and unique yet relatable observations of everyday life. Alongside the inaugural Sejauh Mata Memandang x Tulus collaboration, Pasar Kita also incorporates the theme of Indonesia’s Independence Day through installations inspired by traditional activities and familiar sights, including the panjat pinang game, food carts, and neighborhood warung.
Koleksi perdana Tulus dan Sejauh Mata Memandang; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
Pameran terkini dari Sejauh Mata Memandang bertajuk Pasar Kita di Grand Indonesia; Foto: Sejauh Mata Memandang
The exhibition, which runs until August 31, adopts a circular approach, incorporating recycled (reuse) and upcycled (upcycle) materials.
