Located in the Jax District, one of the festival’s primary hubs, Ruijters’ kinetic work centers on a steel structure adorned with red fabric strips, evoking the veins of life. The light suspended at its core symbolizes ancestral ties, while sharp steel spikes framing the walls hint at the strength and struggles of his lineage.
Ruijters, born in the Netherlands to a mother with seventh-generation Indonesian ancestry and Chinese roots, explores his heritage and connects with others who share similar backgrounds. His work reflects the Peranakan culture—an intricate fusion of Chinese and Indonesian traditions—and the Betawi people’s multicultural identity, combining native, Arab, Chinese, and Portuguese influences.
“I wanted to research this not just for myself but for future generations of Chinese Indonesians in the Netherlands,” Ruijters shared. “This is your heritage.”
Motifs in the installation incorporate traditional elements: sun-shaped lamps inspired by kembang kelapa decorations, petal forms reminiscent of Javanese batik, and the deep red fabric produced through collaboration with Chinese and Indonesian artisans. Ruijters, who sees himself as a guide in the creative process, credits the collective effort behind the work, including Indonesian and Dutch engineers and the batik workshop.
The sculpture’s central light symbolizes Ruijters’ ancestral roots, which move forward over time, symbolizing the evolution from past to present. Shadow play serves as a profound element, expressing how the past whispers through the intangible. “Shadow is there but not there—it evokes a sense of ancestral connection,” he explained.
Ruijters’ installation at Noor Riyadh invites viewers to reflect on their own cultural narratives, offering a powerful testament to the role of art in bridging personal and collective histories.