The Witness Treesis a sound performance inspired by Lubys’s research in the tropical forests of Kalimantan, where he witnessed the devastating impact of deforestation. Felled tree trunks, some freshly cut, others decades old, became silent witnesses to the transformation of the forest. In this work, he uses an electric guitar whose neck is replaced with a broken tree trunk or branch, stripped of strings, allowing the natural textures of the wood to produce sound. The instruments “play” the forest’s memory, echoing its changes and testimonies. The performance is interactive, inviting audiences to engage alongside him.
Ikbal Lubys is an Indonesian artist, sound artist, musician, instrument builder, and improviser. Co-founder of Yogyakarta’s creative space Ethnictro, he studied classical music and guitar at ISI Yogyakarta. In his work, he transforms social issues, images, and forms into sound across diverse formats. He collaborates internationally, mentors, and leads workshops for innovative music and art projects.
