EXCLUSIVE
Interview
with Daya Cayung Siagian (called Chay)
Below is my interview with
artist, Cayung Siagian (Chay). Chay has given me permission to edit his
answers. I have tried to use his words where ever possible. The last answer is
a direct quote. I felt that editing that particular entry would have changed
its sentiment and meaning. I am honored to have had this opportunity to
interact with Chay. He is a kind hearted, humble, generous, talented visionary.
His art provokes the mind to explore its natural heritage and invites our eyes
to look beyond time and spatial boundaries. Chay's dragon danced with me during
a psychedelic experience and led me on my quest to understand this amazing
artist. I would like to thank Chay for his time, attention and pure light. I am
grateful for his encouragement and inspiration. I am truly blessed. Peace &
Light, Joanne equus924@yahoo.com
What was your first piece of psychedelic art...and
what inspired it?
I can't really remember it. What I
know for sure is that I used to do art homework for high school students when I
was in elementary school. I consider them psychedelic art; geometrical woven
lines, fractal batik patterns and plants in colorful watercolors. At that
time, my father was providing dormitory rooms for 30 students a year. The
students knew that I liked to use their watercolors. So, I would do their
homework in exchange. Slick but valuable.
What occurrence spurred you to begin creating psychedelic art?
My curiosity of natural power and
science and often my dreams drive me to express and create psychedelic works.
Also, my ancestors souls nesting in me, protecting me, making me comfortable
and inspiring me promote my visionary life. Oh, yeah, and GORGA the art of my
ancestors. There are no words to explain it.
Your dragon is magnificent. How long did it take you to finish the piece? And
what made you to create it?
Thank you. Actually it is not finished
yet and I don't think it ever will be finished, technically. Especially
since I live here in
This fantasy mind creation is also
beyond psychedelic. It's a magical thing. In general view, just imagine a
creation with the body of a snake, the tail of
a tropical peacock, the eyes of an owl, the fangs of a lion, the legs of
a Lady Amherst pheasant, a human nose and five fingers like a human, sharp
falcon finger nails, a fish mustache, reindeer horns, horse's hair, a
crocodile's mouth, the ears of a bat
etc.... Personally, I like the tongue but I can't say what creature it
represents. Finally, its breath is fire bursting with lights, energy and
overactive molecules. This is beyond what we can see in the open air of nature
or even underwater. This is a psychedelic, total fantasy taken from centuries
ago. It's a magical dream that will always exist in the Asian mind....it will never be born and it will
never die.
Do you have any other psychedelic art pieces that are special to you?
Yes, actually my first oil finger
painting on canvas. It's a 20 x 20 canvas called "The Answer." It
doesn't look very psychedelic but my experience right before I started it was
beyond psychedelic. It was my self and base from my true experience on
New Year's Eve 1995. There is also another piece that is also a mixed oil
and finger painting called "Tondi Najolo" which means "Pass Time
Spirits." It's 2.5ft x 5ft in size. It was created in the same year and is
purely sketched with a natural mushroom atmosphere. It took me about
seven years to complete these works.
What message do you want to send to people about your art?
My art is my stargate, my life
protection and my companion. All of my art is also a collaborative gate. They
will mean nothing without good and aware eyes. So, let's accept art to link the
distance, difference and diversity in humankind. And allow it to bridge the gap
between our backgrounds and colors. Let's open and melt, mirroring each other
flowing back into our natural beliefs which have been forcibly pushed from our
brains and led us away from the natural way. Let's link to become one peaceful
nation. We should rely on each other the way that the art needs our eyes and
our eyes need the art. The leader of this nation will be love. What a fantasy,
eh?
You grew up in
I just can't see it anymore. My tears
have dried for it and for the future of the creatures who depend upon it.
We take the beauty of their home away every single minute. I can't read the
newspaper articles about the floods that never cease to kill innocent lives and
that bring disease. I disapprove of the greedy politicians that use their
pretty masks to cover their cold blooded faces. I just gave up or let's
say that I'm resting for now. About a month ago there was a water flood in the
Are there any new artists that you are fond of? Someone in particular that we
should notice?
I consider myself as a young new
artist in this modern psy-trance era. So, if you mean an artist that is new to
me....there are many of them. A lot of young, talented, genius artists are
arising in this time. They have more time, tools, opportunity and support from
their surroundings. I admire most of
them. Whether they are less-lyrical musicians or visionary artists. But
if I have to choose one or two from the hundreds that we should notice in this
era, I will choose Romio Shrestha, Robert Beer and Alex Grey.
Are there any other artists that you admire? And what makes you feel that way
about them?
Yes, there is one man in particular.
His name is Ida Bagus Made Poleng. I am sunk into his concept about art and the
value of art to the art "visiences" (this is my own word for the
people who see the art with the eyes instead of audiences). He believes that
money and other documents should mean nothing if the art arrives purely in the
very center of the visioner expanding within them. As in the physical eye perspective or in the
third eye perspective. He is very anti gallery politic and anti art mavia. He
only gives his artwork away to museums or to particular people that he thinks
deserve to keep his artwork. He is the true art rebel, of my knowledge,
in this era. I've never had a chance to talk with him even though we passed on
the
Is there anything that you want people to know about you?
"Not much, I am just a stardust mirror
or spark floating strings just like you. Means we are all great if we are
aware. As I am appear in human form, I am not perfect in human eyes."
Daya can be reached at bataktrances@hotmail.com
To view Daya's work, please
visit these sites.
http://www.dreamcatcherstudio.net
http://www.gallart.net/painters/cayung/siagian.htm
http://www.aiaa.org.au/gallery/cayung/cayung.html
http://www.indonesianartist.com
An excellent 5 hour DVD
about
Here is a composite photo
of Daya’s work, with Cosmic Christ by Alex
Grey. Coincidence? Hmm.. J (no I checked.. parallel evolution)
