Home | Vol 15 Table of Contents | Previous Issues | Contact Us: 07 55278753 / 0405463663 | Email: judybyronbay@yahoo.com
Keliling Keliling
Judy Shelley visiting Indonesia
AIAA National Co-ordinator Judy Shelley will be visitng Indonesia from May - Sept 2003.
Judy will be visitng Bali for 2 weeks into June, and will then fly to Bandung and Jakarta during June-July. She intends to visit Jogjakarta and Solo during July and then return to Bandung in August, finally returning to Australia in September. If you are interested in meeting Judy, having an interview for Suara Indonesia Radio Show or Inspirasi Magazine please email: indoartsalliance@hotmail.com
Wahyu Returns
Master musician Wahyu Roche has returned to Australia on a musician's residency
with Swara Naga Gamelan and in presently located in Armidale, NSW doing some
fantastic recording and composing with David Goldsworthy and the Swara Naga
crew. Wahyu will be spending time with Gamelan Langen Sari and the Byron Community
during June and will then travel to Melbourne for a residency at Monah University.
For more information and the opportunity to meet and work with Wahyu please
contact:
Email: wahyuroche@yahoo.com
Indonesian films
* Major Indonesian Films from the 1970s to the 1980s now available from the Monash Indonesia Institute.
It is now possible to obtain copies of major Indonesian films produced in the 1970s and 1980s from 'Between Three World's Video', a video distribution agency set up within the Monash Asia Institute. The web address which includes a catalogue with details about each film, and an electronic order form is: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/films
Currently nine films produced between 1970 and 1986 are offered on VHS PAL video for educational and personal use. The films, with English subtitles, include four of the most important films by Teguh Karya - Ballad of a Young man(1971), November 1828(1979), Bitter Coffee(1985) and Ibunda(1986) the re-working of the Roro Mendut legend, directed by Ami Priyono for Gramedia film - Roro Mendut(1983) one of the best feature films ever made about debates within Islam - Asrul Sani's Pioneers of Freedom(1980), a film shot on location in West Sumatra a collection of short films, animations and videos by Indonesia's leading experimental film-maker, Gotot Prakosa (subtitles not required) Sjuman Djaya's biography of Kartini - Raden Kartini(1983).
The Five Faces of Kadarwati(1983), a film about a Javanese woman's experiences during World War 2. 'Between Three Worlds Video' has been set up with seeding funding provided by the Australia-Indonesia Institute. Rights for most of these films have been negotiated from producers in Jakarta for 'the world, excluding Indonesia', so the aim is to make these films accessible in educational institutions not only in Australia, but internationally, including the USA, Europe and countries in South East Asia other than Indonesia. Many of these videos have subtitles by SBS TV.
Different prices apply, depending on the kind of use made of the film (university use, school use, personal use etc.). Prices for university library purchase are about 30 per cent less than that charged by other niche-marketing video distribution agencies in Australila for similar films.
Negotiations are currently underway to obtain rights to distribute more recent Indonesian films, some Indonesian classics from the 1950s and 1960s as well as some early Australian documentaries on South East Asia in the 1930s, which are of great interest for the examination of attitudes in the colonial period.
Previously it has not been possible to make extensive use of film as a resource in teaching and area studies courses on Indonesia or SE Asia (compared with the use of film in teaching about Europe, the USA, China and Japan) for now until now good quality subtitled prints or videos have simply not been available for purchase. 'Between Three Worlds Video' has been set up to rectify this situation, and also to provide increased resources for Film and Media Studies courses that seek to include material from a wider range of Asian countries.
* The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (formerly Cinemedia) is specifically set up to lend films either to schools or to individuals. They have a number of Indonesian titles. ACMI can be found at: http://www.acmi.net.au
Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA)
The Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA) is preparing its 5th International
Conference in
Bandung, July 18 - 19, 2003, titled "Regional Development in a Decentralized
Era: Public Services,
Poverty, and the Environment". The conference is intended to be a media
for scholars, practitioners, and
policy-makers to discuss and exchange theoretical and empirical findings on
the issue of regional
development and decentralization with particular focus on the aspect of public
services, equity, and the
environment. It is also hoped that through this conference participants will
exchange experiences and also
build strong networks for future research, policy discussion, and practical
collaboration.
Dr. Armida Alisjahbana alisjahbana@bdg.centrin.net.id
Visit http://bdg.centrin.net.id/~alisjahbana/conf_main.htm
for more about the conference.
New U.S. Immigration Policy Provokes a Travel Advisory for Indonesians Traveling to the United States.
Indonesia's addition by the U.S. Justice Department to the 20 countries worldwide whose male citizens will be subjected to a stringent Entry-Exit Registration System when visiting the United States has provoked its share of outrage from the Indonesian Government.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, James A. Kelly learned just how badly Indonesia's national pride has been wounded by the new policy during meetings on Friday, January 17, 2003, in Jakarta with Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda. Minister Wirayuda said: "The new policy is discriminatory, arbitrary, and unacceptable for Indonesia ... it sends the wrong signal to the war against terrorism as we all know that Indonesia, and the U.S., have both been victims to acts of terrorism."
The new policy requires all Indonesian visitors to the United States over the age of 16 to report to U.S. Immigration and Naturalization authorities on a regular basis and undergo fingerprinting and photographic identification. Indonesian male nationals under the age of 16, holding a green U.S. residence card, or possessing a diplomatic passport are to be currently exempted from the special registration process.
Many observers are concerned that the policy, seen as targeted specifically at nations with large Moslem populations and launched at a time when the U.S. was preparing to wage war on Iraq, will provide ample opportunity for those wishing to portray the current U.S. war on terror as, in fact, a war on Islam.
In her talks with Assistant Secretary of State, James A. Kelly, the Indonesian President warned the senior U.S. Diplomat of the political pressure current U.S. policies place on the leadership of countries with large Moslem populations endeavoring to support the international struggle against terrorism and the backlash of anti-western sentiment such policies potentially engender.
While vowing to monitor the treatment of Indonesian nationals by the U.S. Government
as a result of the new immigration policy, the Indonesian Government said it
would also issue a travel advisory to its nationals advising them to consider
delaying visits to the United States.
Government Spends to Fight AIDS
Funds Allocated to Bali AIDS Eradication.
The State News Service, Antara, reports that the provincial government of Bali
has budgeted Rp. 800 million (approximately US$ 91,000) to be used in the fiscal
year 2003 to support AID/HIV eradication projects.
The figure allocated for this year represent an increase over the US$ 85,000 set aside for the same purpose in last year's budget.
According to Bali's Deputy Governor, Alit Putra, who also serves as the Chairman of Bali Committee for AIDS Eradication, 38% of the funds set aside to fight AIDS will be used for blood screening programs conducted by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).
Recent totals of known AIDS/HIV cases ranked Bali in 6th place nationally in
terms of known infections, following Jakarta, Papua, Riau, West Java and East
Java.
A report by the State News Agency Antara quotes the Bali Commission on AIDS
Control as claiming the number of HIV/AIDS cases on Bali have increased to 233,
up from 215 reported just one month earlier.
Sourced from the Bali Discovery Tours website.
http://www.balidiscovery.com/
AIAA Work for Dole Project 2003
2003 looks like being a fruitful and exciting year for the AIAA organisation. Participants in the Work for the Dole Project 2003 will play a large role in the many projects we will undertake this year. As the third year of AIAA Work for the Dole begins, it is time to take stock and reflect on the goings on inside the square blue room of the YAC, the Youth Activities Centre, Byron Bay. We will learn computer skills, communication skills, and will be involved in the ebb and flow of the AIAA projects. Overseeing the unfolding of projects, Kristen Foster will harness our skills and direct them into the organisation and maintenance of AIAA. Gert Gast and Daniel Summerfield will supervise us and use their computer expertise building and maintaining the AIAA website . 2003 Projects: Australia Indonesia Poetry Exchange, Inspirasi Magazine, Suara Indonesia Radio Show, Musician in Residence and maintenance of the AIAA website.
Publishing the lastest edition of Inspirasi will be the main focus of the Work
for
the Dole Project in the first few months. The magazine is a document of
Indonesian cultural news and events. During this time participants will learn
how to
write in the language of the internet, summarise articles and create new web
pages for Inspirasi.
Other areas of work for the WFD participants will be the Wahyu Roche Musician-in-Residence, Suara Indonesia Radio Show, and supporting visiting Indonesian performance groups.
For further info on the AIAA Work for the Dole Project contact Gert Gast
Phone: 02 66848015
World Premiere: 'A World of Our Own'
Debut of a Bali Written and Produced Chamber Opera on Friday, May 9, 2003.
(5/5/2003) The Bali Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) premiered a chamber opera
created by a group of Bali expatriates. "A World of our Own," written
by Ora Jonasson and Jorge Nelson, with arrangements and orchestration by Erasmus
Meinerts depicts the challenges of expatriate life in the new millennium - touching
on the themes of globalization, isolation, and terrorism in two acts present
entirely by a cast and orchestra drawn from local and expatriate residents of
Bali.
The story takes place on the island of Oblivia, a tropical paradise known for its peaceful inhabitants and easy-going lifestyle. Long a tourist destination, recent changes have come to Oblivia as multi-national companies have discovered that the island holds vast reserves of precious metals and petroleum bringing a large expatriate community to the island.
Local people live very humbly surviving from subsistence farming. By contrast, the expatriates enjoy an extravagant lifestyle characterized by overseas bank accounts, servants, private club memberships, children attending international schools, chauffeur driven cars, dining in fine restaurants and living behind a fenced compound in comfortable air-conditioned houses. This disparity of economic circumstance has given seed to a recent rise in political unrest in Oblivia.
It is June, time for graduation at the international school, and one expatriate family is very proud to see their son achieve valedictorian status. The festivities are interrupted when the father announces that the family was going to be transferred to a new location in another country. His wife is distraught having managed to successfully settle down in this community. The son is mad because he wanted to spend the holidays with his friends surfing before going to university. The young daughter is also distressed at the news of the move, she has fallen in love with a local boy. Against this background a story of love and tragedy gradually unfolds.
All proceeds from the performance were donated to help the victims from the
October 12th tragedy through the Yayasan Kemanusiaan Ibu Pertiwi (YKIP) Foundation.
© Bali Discovery Tours. http://www.balidiscovery.com/
Wianta's Dream Land?: A show in blood
Written by Jean Couteau, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali.
"One enters the place in total darkness, a torch in hand, hesitating, the walls black. Then, as the beam pierces the darkness, the elements of the show appear one by one. On the ground a large mound of rice, shaped in the form of the island of Bali, with skeletons scattered over part of it, and with two Balinese bamboo shrines standing at its other end.
"Red "paintings" are hung on the walls. At first, they look abstract, in the manner of "classical" action paintings, but as the torch focuses on them, one after the other, horror appears. These paintings have been painted not in any old red pigment, but in blood -- in the blood, I was told later, of cows slaughtered at the Denpasar abattoir, blood spread by Wianta himself on his waiting canvas... The paint is a transparent wash beneath which appear real scenes of horror: aggrandized photographs of the October bombing in Kuta: "a burned, blackened limb sticking out of a car window; limbs, heads and bowels heaped on each other in the corner of a hospital room...". Wianta thus purposely selects the photographs that represent "instant" images of horror and picture in the most unbearable way the consequences of "Evil" incarnate.
"To the Balinese, the shedding of blood is a sign of cosmic disorder. This disorder is ritually treated in a "reversed" use of violence: by the shedding of blood as offerings (tabuh rah). Blood, which heretofore symbolized death then becomes, through the offering, the blood of life. To this reference to offerings must be added the 2 shrines set on the mound of rice. Yet, in spite of these Balinese allusions, the installation is more than the duplicate of a rite of exorcism. It is, by its very daring, a gesture of distancing, and hence an act of "modernity", not of faith.
"Wianta is in fact featuring a simulacrum of an exorcism to invite us to think. Laying bare the impotence of his tradition -- the Balinese offerings -- to deal with actual violence, he seems to be telling us that the recourse to rites and religion may indeed be fine and well intentioned, but it is bound to fail. To cope with violence, he suggests, one has first to acknowledge its presence, and then expose its ills if need be by using outrageous allegories such as blood and suffering. Thus Wianta is inviting us to face the bloodied reality of Bali, of Indonesia, and indeed of the world... through consciousness.
"By taking the obscenity of the images to its utmost limit through the visualization of the unbearable, Wianta is telling us that the media don't represent "the" objective reality. Rather a new, autonomous "reality", the product of politics and marketing as well as of our unquenchable thirst for images. It eventually becomes a de-dramatized show of non-reality, or rather, borrowing Beaudrillard's word, a "hyperreality". As reality thus disappears behind its mediated construction, authentic horror continues to be allowed to occur, and to go on unnoticed, or to wait to burst into the open, as tragically illustrated by the situation in Iraq.
The exhibition runs until May 15 at Gaya Fusion of Arts
Gallery Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar. Phone:
0361-979253. Fax: 0361-975895.
Cultural Diversity Clusters
Applications Close: Friday, May 30, 2003
Organisation: Australia Council
www.ozco.gov.au/resources/ama
Location: National
The Australia Council is calling for expressions of interest from groups or artists, tertiary institutions, arts and non-arts organisations interested in working collaboratively.
Cultural Diversity Clusters are an initiative of the Australia Council's Arts in a Multicultural Australia (AMA) policy to enable networks of artists, groups and organisations to work together providing a strong environment for the research and development of art that reflects Australia's cultural diversity. 'Clusters' refers to groupings of organisations which come together to provide different skills, facilities and contacts.
Cultural Diversity Clusters will involve the research, development and production of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary artworks which explore processes that lead to new forms of artistic expression.
Information about the AMA policy and the Cultural Diversity Clusters tender are available from: www.ozco.gov.au/resources/ama.
For further information email clusters@ozco.gov.au
Proposals need to be received by COB Friday March 30, 2003 and should be marked
'Cultural Diversity Clusters'
Finance Officer
Australia Council
Purnama Di Sidoarjo
(A cultural evening to be held in Sidoarjo (East Java) which is held on the night of the full moon).
Menjelajahi makna purnama bagi kehidupan dan memperindah kota dengan penghayatan. Sejak kurang lebih setahun terakhir ini Sanggar Pecantingan bekerja sama dengan komunitas kesenian Sidoarjo menyelenggarakan pertunjukan kesenian teater dan musik baik modern ataupun konvensional. Pelaku-pelaku banyak yang berpartisipasi dalam festival kesenian nasional ataupun internasional, banyak juga yang berasal dari desa-desa terpencil dan hanya dikenal di kampung masing-masing.
Sanggar Pecantingan yang lokasinya di pesisir timur Sidoarjo – di tepi sawah dan dikelilingi kolam menggabungkan proses berkesenian dengan kegiatan yang peduli lingkungan. Menjelajahi makna purnama bagi kehidupan dan memperindah kota dengan penghayatan. Menyadarkan nadi-nadi kehidupkan kepada keindahan murni dari sang Pencipta Alam!
Pertunjukan dimulai pukuk 19.00 sampai selesai dan dilanjutkan dengan diskusi budaya dan sekitarnya secara santai dan kekeluargaan. Terbuka untuk umum dan tidak dipungut biaya. Untuk informasi lebih lanjut hubungi jumaadi@hotmail.com atau telpon (031) 894 5513.
Pekan Kesenian Jenggala
Awal Agustus 2003
Menjalin roh kesenian yang lebih peka terhadap lingkungan baik psikologi, budaya ataupun ekologi di sekitarnya.
Panitia Forum Kesenian Jenggala mengundang segenap pelaku kesenian dari berbagai disiplin untuk berpartisipasi dalam “Forum Kesenian Jenggala”. Kegiatan ini dalam rangka mendukung perkembangan terakhir peta kesenian Indonesia dan dunia yang mana ditandai dengan banyaknya aktivitas kesenian kontemporer di daerah di luar pusat kekuasaan atau kolektor kesenian. Seniman besar turun kampung dan bergaul dengan seniman daerah – kesenian kontemporer berhubungan dengan kesenian rakyat dan sebaliknya.
Kemudian bahwa perkembangan kota Surabaya yang membengkak ke Sidoarjo menjadikan kota udang ini bukan hanya sebagai kota industri akan tetapi kota yang penuh dengan dinamika kesenian. Hal ini disebabkan oleh hijrahnya pelaku kesenian dari Surabaya dan kota-kota lain seperti Yogya, Jakarta ke Sidoarjo serta sejarah kota Sidoarjo sendiri yang selalu diwarnai dengan kehidupan berkesenian. Saat ini ratusan pelaku kesenian baik kontemporer baik konvensional bergerak dan berkreativitas melalui berbagai media menjadikan “kota jenggala” ini salah satu kota penting dalam peta kesenian Indonesia.
Pada kesempatan ini akan terlibat pelaku kesenian dari Surabaya, Malang, Yogya, Bandung, Jakarta sedangkan dari manca negara akan terlibat seniman dari Jepang dan Australia tidak menutup kemungkinan dari kota-kota dan negara-negara lain.
Tujuan: Membentuk jaringan kebudayaan yang peduli terhadap isi-isi lingkungan hidup baik isu sosial budaya maupun isu-isu ekologi; Mendukung aktivitas kebudayaan yang berkualitas tinggi menjadi akses milik masyarakat umum serta membantu mengembalikan status kehormatan dan dukungan kepada kesenian rakyat (tradisional); Mempererat hubungan antara kesenian kontemporer-konvensional dengan cara saling mengerti dan menghormati estetika dan tema serta proses kreatif masing-masing; Mendukung penyebaran peta baru tentang kesenian Indonesia yang lebih mendukung daerah-daerah di luar ibukota dan pusat-pusat kesenian selama ini; Jenis Kegiatan: Dialog budaya, workshop, seminar; Pemutaran film; Kegiatan kolaborasi; Pertunjukan; Pameran; Kegiatan kemasyarakatan.
Peserta: Adalah pelaku, pengamat dan pecinta kesenian yang bersedia mengikuti sebagian atau keseluruhan acara. Dari disiplin dan latar belakang budaya. Untuk peserta dari luar kota atau manca negara panitia menyediakan fasilitas akomodasi dan peralatan kesenian sederhana serta seorang counterpart (seniman lokal) yang menjadi pendampingnya.
Ekspektasi Peserta: Pada akhir acara, peserta diminta untuk berpartisipasi dalam pameran bersama sesuai dengan disiplin masing-masing – lukisan, pertunjukan, pembacaan puisi, patung, fotografi, video dan lain lain (masih dicari galeri). Peserta diharap berpartisipasi dalam membuat publik art di beberapa tempat.
Publikasi: Kegiatan ini akan dipublikasikan dalam media cetak ataupun audio-visual di Indonesia dan di Australia.
Untuk informasi lebih lanjut silahkan menghubungi jumaadi@hotmail.com
Jenggala Art Week
August 2003
Creating artistic links which are sensitive towards the psychological, cultural and ecological environment.
The Jenggala Art Forum Committee is inviting art practitioners from a variety of disciplines to participate in the “Jenggala Art Forum”. This event is designed to support recent developments in the Indonesian and world artistic map which have been characterised by contemporary art activities outside power centres and the realm of art collectors. Established artists will go into villages and mix with regional artists – contemporary art interacting with community art and vice versa.
Over the years, expansion of Surabaya city has spilled over into Sidoarjo making this “prawn town” not only a city of industry but a dynamic artistic centre. This is a result of the movement of artists from Surabaya and other cities such as Yogya, Jakarta to Sidoarjo as well as the history Sidoarjo itself which has always been distinguished by a colourful artistic life. At present hundreds of contemporary and conventional artists actively work in a variety of mediums to make this city, located on the site of the ancient “Jenggala Kingdom” an important city on the cultural map of Indonesia.
Art workers from Indonesia will participate as well as overseas artists from Japan and Australia, however this invitation is open to artists from other areas and countries.
Objectives: To establish cultural networks sensitive to the environment, both social cultural issues and ecological issues; to support high quality cultural activities so that they are easily accessible to the wider community and generate increased respect and support for community (traditional) art; to consolidate the relationship between conventional-contemporary art based on mutual understanding and respect for the aesthetics, themes and creative processes of each; and lastly, to promote a new “map” of Indonesian art which supports areas outside the capital and other artistic centres.
Range of Activities includes a workshop, seminar, cultural discussions, and film presentation. Collaborative activities include an exhibition, performances and community activities.
Participants include practitioners, observers and lovers of art prepared to participate in some or all of the program with some experience or background in a cultural discipline. The Committee will provide participants from other areas or overseas with accommodation and simple art materials as well as a local counterpart to accompany them during the program.
Anticipated Outcomes: At the end of the program, the participants will be invited to participate in a group exhibition or performance suited to their disciplines – painting, performance, poetry reading, sculpture, photography, video and others (gallery/location to be announced). Participants will also be invited to participate in the creation of public art at a number of locations.
Publicity: This event will be publicised in both printed and audio-visual media in Indonesia and Australia.
For more information please contact jumaadi@hotmail.com
"Celebrating Spirit of Learning"
Saturday 27th September-Thursday 2nd October, 2003 - lake Ainsworth, Byron Bay Region NSW
The 3rd international gathering for the furthering of 'soul in education' and meaningful life-long learning promises an array of leading edge presenters, innovative thinkers and creative educational artists from all over the world.
The stunning natural setting of the Department of Sport and Recreation Centre at Lake Ainsworth provides a perfect, retreat venue for this 6-day residential event.
Enthusiastic national and international participants, along with many locally
based participants from all domains of education and learning, and the general
community will be represented. These include indigenous educators, multicultural
representatives, youth, parents and Elders. Presenters, participants and performers
will come together for 6 days to create a nourishing and stimulating learning
community to focus on transformation rather than information.
Topics to be explored will include the following: Soul-Based Life-long Learning
& Teaching; Arts, Soul and Innovation in Education; The Spiritual Curriculum
& Educational Transformation; Learning Ecology & Environmental Education;
The Spirit of Diversity; Transitional Learning; Spirit of Learning in Community.
Community Day: A taste of 'spirit of learning', 9.00am-3.oopm, Sat. 27th September is also open to non-conference participants for a small fee. Details to come soon on web.
Official Opening for conference participants begins at 4.00pm Saturday 27th September and is followed by a special opening dinner, music and entertainment.
Presentations will be interactive through experiential workshops, creative performances and panel dialogue with highly skilled speakers. Facilitators or 'weavers' will help participants to process and integrate the conference topics.
Invited presenters, Artistic Performers, Wrokshop Leaders and paper Presenters will be drawn from all levels of education, learning domains and both the local and global community. See website for details on confirmed presenters.
Early Bird payable in full by 13th June: $870 AUD includes GST
Regular Fees payable after 13th June: $970 AUD includes GST
Non Residential Registration Fees (as above) (6 days: Include all lunches, morning and afternoon teas, Community Day & two special conference dinners (Sat. & Wed. evenings).
Full Residential Fees: As above plus$220 - $550 AUD 3 levels accommodation & all meals)
See WEBSITE for further details & Registration forms www.spiritoflearning.com
Contact: Dawn Griggs (Convener) Tel/fax 61(2)6685 4495 dawn@spiritoflearning.com
Cheryl Moses (Secretary) Tel 61(2)6680 9112 Mob 042729 7182 cheriemose@ozemail.com.au
Dr. Neil Davidson: (Program Coordinator) n.davidson@uws.edu.au