Siapa AIAA ?
To promote Indonesian culture throughout Australia
To create new opportunites for Indonesian artists to share their culture in Australia
AIAA arose from an awareness among Australian people and Indonesian Australians for the need for greater connection, understanding and support for Indonesia and Australia-Indonesia cultural relations. This comes from a deep intuitive awareness that the relationship between Australia and Indonesia is of prime importance to the futures of both countries - economically, politically and culturally. AIAA Founder Judith Shelley has been involved with Indonesian culture for around 20 years. 10 years spent living and exhibiting as a visual artist in Indonesia made her painfully aware of the lack of support for cultural exchange coming from Australia. Any Australian person who spends a significant amount of time being involved with the art scene in Indonesia would become very aware of one stark reality. Australia has been left behind the rest of the world in terms of cultural exchange with Indonesia.
Indonesian artists are constantly on the move. Very close cultural ties between ASEAN countries result in constant movement of artists between ASEAN countries to participate in ASEAN exhibitions, artist exchanges, performances, festivals etc. Musicians from ASEAN countries translate and sing each others songs, people in Indonesia enjoy music from all over ASEAN. Meanwhile knowledge of Indonesian music by the average Australian is virtually zero.Besides moving freely between ASEAN countries, Indonesian artists are invited to perform, exhibit and teach their art forms all over the world. Gamelan orchestras, theatre troupes, visual artists, Indonesian artists of all kinds have a wealth of experience in Europe, Japan, America, Canada, England etc but rarely will you see the mention of Australia on their CVs. (One must say that The Asia-Pacific Triennial at Queensland Art Gallery is one regular event that has been doing its best to change this and the enormous effort of Australian universities, gamelan groups and cultural exchange groups who have been working long and hard to create opportunities for cultural exchange should NOT be ignored by any means.)
How did this happen?As we all know, since 1788 Australia has been culturally linked with Britain and the Commonwealth and since World War II has fallen under the political and cultural domination of America. Australians have been cannon fodder for English and American wars, watch American television shows, sing American pop songs - as to a certain extent does the whole world. Internationally we have all been under the rule of American economic domination, which is now increasilngly being brought to our awareness by the recent protests in Seattle and in Melbourne.
Indonesians have also been grappling with the domination and manipulation of America in Indonesia's economic and political situation since Independence in 1945.
In contrast with this western bias, AIAA is looking towards deeper connections which hark back furthur into our past - to a more natural communication between neighbours - a relationship which has existed between the peoples of Australia and Indonesia for thousands of years. The indigenous opera Trepang was a very fine expression of this connection. The play revealed the long standing relationship between tribes of North Australia with the people of the Makassar Region in Indonesia. An ancient relationship which has been upset by the imposition of modern political borders. Legend has it that Australia-Indonesia connections go way back into the dreaming. Anthropologists discuss whether the Australian aboriginals came from Java man, linguists research the innumerable connections between languages - and the people experience cultural similarities and connections which are still obvious today after many millenia.
We are seeking our cultural roots through the connections of the people of this land with the people of our neighbour Indonesia. We are seeking a new Australian identity - as a part of ASIA - PACIFIC - where we have always been. A more active participation in the culture of our region, a greater respect and understanding of Indonesia will bring harmony and more open communication and sharing on all levels as well as the development of trust, as both Australia and Indonesia struggle with this new direction - a political life free of domination from the West. The right and ability of Australia to make its own decisions and form its own relationships, can only be successful if Australia gets VERY serious VERY soon about these relationships.
Another reason for Australia's limited involvement with Australia-Indonesia cultural exchange has been that Australian government policy has determined that Foreign Affairs funding has mainly been directed towards promoting Australia overseas. Projects which promote Indonesia in Australia have not been a priority - this has been seen as the responsibilty af the Indonesian governement. Why has Australia held so strictly to this out-dated policy? - it seems that no other country has! - the result is the obvious lagging behind of Australia in the Indonesia-Australia cultural relations stakes. In 1998, AIAA contacted all major funding bodies to ask what funding they had available for Indonesian artist-in-residence programs in Australia. The answer was - "none - its not within our guidelines". AIAA has been applying for government funding for over two years and has so far been unsuccessful - part of the reason - simply not enough money.
Thankfully new intiatives such as Asialink's proposed community cultural exchange project are attempting to improve this situation. Meanwhile Australian government policies continue to support a glaring imbalance. Australian artists can travel freely to Indonesia on two-month stay permits - without a visa, the lucky ones with the help of government funding. Indonesian artists have very limited access to visit Australia, difficulty getting even a short stay visa, and very limited funding, if any. Many Australian organisations and individuals have been working very hard without government support, inviting visiting artists to teach or perform here, sometimes even being forced to misrepresent the role their teacher will pay, just to get the chance to study their art forms as they navigate the difficulties inherent in Australia's visa policies.
AIAA members and other cultural organisations have been developing and piloting strategies to create opportunites for Indonesian artist-in-residence projects. One very low cost strategy is to extend the stay of Indonesian artists visitng on short term projects, such as an exhibiton or performance, and involve the artists in a residency immediately afterward. This strategy was successfully used by the Queensland Art Gallery to increase the benefits of the Asia-Pacific Triennial by co-ordinating an extension program giving the artists opportunities to undertake residencies after the Triennial. As the airfares, visas, fiscal etc had already been paid by the Gallery, it allowed other organisations the opportunity to invite artists to participate in local cultural activities. By utilizing billeting opportunities, the cost of the project becomes minimal.
What can the Australian government do now to improve cultural relations whith Indonesia?
In May 1999 an AIAA meeting was held at Glebe Town Hall in Sydney to discuss Indonesian Culture in Australia and was attended by AIAA members, Marisa Gomes, Project Officer from the Australia Indonesia Institute, Foreign Affairs Canberra and other interested people. The meeting identified three major areas of need, to be addressed by the Australian government:
*The immediate provision of Australian government funding for Indonesian artist-in-residence and visitng artist projects.
*An increase in funding for Australian artists to visit Indonesia*The Australian Embassy in Jakarta to streamline visa arrangements and assist Indonesian artists in being able visit Australia for the purpose of cultural exchange and artist-in-residence projects.
One would also add the need for the Department of Foreign Affairs to increase funding to the Australia Indonesia Institute Cultural Grants Program immediately by 200% with regular increases annually.
At that meeting Marisa Gomes stated that the Australia Indonesia Institute policy to prioritise only projects which promote Australia in Indonesia was now changing. She stated that low-cost Indonesian artist-in-residence projects in Australia would be appropriate projects to receive AII grant funding.
If these changes are undertaken by our government it will be a big step toward Australia catching up with the rest of the world. If not, I guess we'll just keep struggling on as best we can, until they do.
Wake up Australia!
It is in our best interests to learn all we can and to develop the best possible relationship we can with our nearest neighbour... political respect, understanding and harmony will surely follow. How can Australia's foreign minister communicate with Indonesia better? - STUDY GAMELAN!
Half an hour north of Darwin is a cultural treasure trove beyond compare. The richness, diversity and refinement of Indonesia's cultures are respected world-wide. The AIAA dream is that one day our children will have the chance to learn the beautiful dances of Indonesia and create the peaceful resonant vibrations of the gamelan gong, just as Indonesian children do. There are a wealth of Indonesian cultural teachers and artists who hold their culture in their hands. Some of them are willing to visit Australia to share their cultural riches with us - all we have to do is open our hearts and minds to welcome this beautiful gift that they are willing to share.
God Bless Australia and Indonesia! The more that we can learn to work together for the good of all, the brighter our futures will be.
Ed.
Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance Bi-Annual Report
The Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance was initiated in 1998 in response to the economic crisis and political upheaval in Indonesia. AIAA was initiated as a way of providing support for Indonesian culture by creating new opportunities for Indonesian artists to share their culture in Australia and for Australians to gain greater understanding and awareness about Indonesia through cultural exchange.
During the last two years AIAA has established a number of projects intended to create opportunities for cultural sharing, education and support between Australia and Indonesia. AIAA is the first organisation to establish a national network on Indonesian culture in Australia. AIAA is a non-profit-making community-based organisation and has members throughout Australia and in Indonesia.
AIAA Web Site - www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/8138
The AIAA web site was created in January 1999 by Carol Chapman, AIAA volunteer web site consultant and Judith Shelley, national co-ordinator, to provide a national information base for the utilization of Australian and Indonesian people interested in Indonesian culture and Australia-Indonesian cultural co-operation. The site has proved useful for artists, musicians, students, teachers, Indonesian community and cultural groups, government bodies, media, libraries, universities etc
The AIAA web site is the first site to provide this type and range of information on a national basis, including;
National Calendar of Events
National Directory of Indonesian Cultural Groups
Virtual Gallery of Indonesian and Australian Artists
Visiting Artists Register
Music Shop
Ideas for Schools
Funding Bodies
Aid Organisations
Travel Information
Inspirasi - On-line Magazine
AIAA has also utilized this information base to provide direct assistance to individuals and orgnisations seeking access to Indonesian performers, artists, cultural teachers, funding sources etc
Inspirasi Magazine
In January 1999 AIAA commenced production of a newsletter for its members. In August 1999, the newsletter was transformed into Inspirasi - Free On-line Magazine - the first on-line magazine about Indonesian culture in Australia.
Inspirasi has been acknowledged nationally and internationally by organisations such as the National Library of Australia, who requested permission from AIAA for Inspirasi to be included in the library archives in Canberra. The ABC website co-ordinator recently informed AIAA that an announcement about Inspirasi has been included on the front page of "The Space" on their website. Cornell University Library has also inlcuded Inspirasi in their on-line catalogue. NSW Dept of Education has requested permission to use articles from Inspirasi on their CD Rom.
Inspirasi contains news, reviews and up-to-date information about Indonesian cultural events in Australia and Indonesia, particularly Australia- Indonesia cultural exchange activities, art, music and literature.
AIAA Promotion
National Promotion;
AIAA, the AIAA website and Inspirasi Magazine have been promoted nationally through Australian Indonesian publications and the internet, focusing on educational institutions and Indonesian cultural organisations in Australia and Indonesia. Many organisations have been contacted by phone, letter or email inviting membership, information-sharing and co-operation.
1998 - Leaflet and membership application form included in Pelangi Magazine - produced at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
- Free advertisement in Inside Indonesia Magazine, Melbourne
1998 - Reciprocal advertising in Pelangi Magazine
- Inclusion in Indonesian Conference Notes, ANU, Canberra
- Information Stall at the BEMAC South East Asian Festival, Brisbane
- Information Stall at Griffith University Multicultural Day
- Distribution of information about AIAA among Indonesian artists by Victoria Cattoni in Bali and by post from Australia
1999 - AIAA application form included in NSW Dept of Education publication "Berita Bahasa Indonesia"
- Field trip to Indonesia by volunteer cultural networker Cynthia Webb, including publishing of her article about the visual artist Nurkholis in the Jakarta Post Newspaper
1999-2000 - Email announcements regarding Inspirasi magazine sent out to public schools, universites, cultural organisations etc throughout Australia
Local Promotion;
1999-2000 - Local events and activities advertised in local newspapers such as Byron Echo and BayFM Radio particularly Suara Indonesia Radio Show
1999 - article about AIAA in Saturday Star newspaper
AIAA Meetings
AIAA has initiated information-sharing meetings designed to encourage co-operation and the cross-fertilization of ideas between individuals and organisations involved in Indonesian culture. Meetings have so far been held in Sydney, Gold Coast and NSW North Coast Region.
AIAA members in NSW North Coast have held a formation meeting to establish an AIAA branch for the co-ordination of Indonesian cultural activities in the region including artist/musician-in-residence programs. A meeting of AIAA members has been held in Sydney which has agreed to look to the establishment of a local AIAA Branch in Sydney. It is hoped that members in other areas will follow this lead and form their own branches in their own local areas.
The national meeting place of AIAA members is the AIAA egroup, indoarts@egroups.com. The egroup provides fast and easy access and communication between members throughout Australia and Indonesia. Members share ideas and plan projects together, and most importantly, get to know each other via email. Email introductions have resulted in members getting together to create new events or art works.
Promotion and Support for Indonesian Cultural Events
The AIAA web site and Inspirasi magazine have been utilized as a way of promoting hundreds of Indonesian cultural events and projects throughout Australia and Indonesia. AIAA has also directly supported a number of performances and events by providing promotion, networking and often billeting support.
1998 - Performance by Parahyangan at Thursday Plantation, Ballina presented by Kalooma Promotions, Sydney
1999 - networking between AIAA members resulted in a new dance work by Kerensa Johnston for the exhibition of Victoria Cattoni at Seniwati Gallery, Ubud Bali
- Warogus Concert and Workshop in Byron Bay
- Banyuwangi Angklung Workshops at Myocum with Mike Burns from Gamelan Carimakan, Perth
- OzIndo Project fundraising concert held at Byron Bay High School including performances by Shearwater Steiner School, Cape Byron Steiner school, Byron Shire Gamelan, Rampak Indonesia and Orisha Intenational
- GengGong Performance at Norpa Asia Fest Thursday Plantation, Ballina
- Rampak Indonesia performances at Ballina and Tweed Carnivale Festival
- provided support for Sundanese Gamelan classes for Byon Shire Gamlean Ensemble held at Myocum by David Goldsworthy from UNE Armidale and Kym Hall from Gamelan Suara Naga.
- networking between Wot Cross Cultural Synergy, AIAA members in Sydney, Fremantle, Brisbane etc regarding proposed Iwan Fals tour which did not proceed due to the uncertain political atmosphere at the time. It looks as though the tour may go ahead in early 2001. For further information you are encouraged, nay urged, to contact Sue Piper of Wot Cross Cultural Synergy at wot@primus.com.au or Phone: 0410 716 553.
2000 - initiated Rampak Drumming Classes with Warogus Master Drummer Ron Reeves from Sydney, held in Myocum, Main Arm and Suffolk Park
- Concert by visiting artist, Admiral - "Sumatra meets Rumi" held at Bangalow by Alison Pearl/Ku Promotions in conjunction with Musik Kabau Sati, Brisbane who were hosting Admiral's visit to Australia
- Balinese Topeng Dance Workshops by Rina Sani from Orisha International held at Byron Bay
- provided support for Krakatau Tour 2000 presented by Arimba Culture Exchange,Sydney including plans for visiting musician project (Deni Tudi Rahayu)
Suara Indonesia Radio Show
The Suara Indonesia Radio Show was re-established during 1999 on Bay FM 91.3 by AIAA members, Tjintana Matahari and Judith Shelley in order to promote Indonesian culture in the NSW Nth Coast- Southern Queensland Region. During the last 10 months guest speakers and musicians on the show have included:
Rampak Indonesia, Hendri and Hendra Budiman, Andreas, Wawan, Lela from Community Radio USA, Kym Hall from Byron Gamelan Group and Suara Naga Armidale, Saul Dalton recently returned form Irian Jaya, David Goldsworthy Professor of Ethnomusicology UNE Armidale, Mike Burns Gamlean Teacher from Newcastle, Ron Reeves Sundanese kendang teacher from Sydney, Philip Booth - Learnscapes in Bali and East Timor, Micheal Binke - East Timor Fundraiser, Angela from Byron Gamelan Ensemble,, Made and Fred Coblyn - drum-makers planning to work in East Timor, Julie Tweedie - trainee presenter from the Aboriginal community, Lia Ramirez - trainee presenter from the Latin- American Community, Cynthia Webb - AIAA cultural networker, local Indonesian musicians - Adi, Juki, Ronnie and Jaemmy, as well as Lorna, Melati and Java.
New Projects: As a result of Reconciliation Day, Suara Indonesia has offered to sponsor the development of an aboriginal radio program at BayFM by providing training for local aboriginal presenters on Suara Indonesia. It is intended that the aboriginal community will apply for their own show at the end of the season. This collaboration focuses on the connections that have existed between the peoples of Indonesia and Australia for thousands of years. Training is also being provided to members of the Latin American community wishing to establish their own show.
Another recent project has been participation in the BayFM Radiothon. AIAA co-ordinated a week-long program of live musical performances for the BayFM fundraising Love-In Café. The program included Indonesian Band Sama-Sama, as well as Acapelligo, Blackjack (Blues) Melanie Dolinski, The Phoenix Movement, Rap-up-a-jah (Reggae), Que Pasa (Latin American) and Bruce the Pixie.
The Suara Indonesia Team presently includes Henry Horthy, Judith Shelley and Trainee presenters Lia Ramirez and Jo Williams, Back-up presenter Hendri Budiman with assistance from members of the Indonesian community and AIAA. Future plans include the creation of a six-part series about Indonesian music focusing on the cultural influences which have influenced its development eg Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Indian influences as well as cultural connections between Aboriginal and Makassar tribes.
AIAA Work Experience Project
During 1999 AIAA entered into an agreement with the Youth Activities Centre, Byron Bay to provide work experience for young people in web site design, database and general computer skills and help to maintain the YAC computer room in exchange for the use of the computer room to maintain the AIAA websites and database.
Most recently this project has provided training through web site design courses taught by Carole Chapman on behalf of AIAA. AIAA has also received a donation from Byron Shire Council of redundant computers for the purpose of AIAA working toward establishing their own computer room. Discussions have also commenced with Ballina Employment and Training Centre regarding support for the AIAA website project and Inspirasi magazine as well as other AIAA projects through the Work For the Dole Program.
Priorities for the Future of AIAA
According to the aboriginal elders, Byron Bay being the most easterly point in Australia, is a place of new beginnings, a place where ideas are born and then spread across the land as the sun rises and spreads its light across Australia.
The idea of an organisation called the Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance was bravely initiated in the small town of Byron Bay with a very big vision - to be the first national organisation in Australia to promote Indonesian culture, and in particular to create new opportunities for Indonesian artists to visit this country.
It was never the intention that this organisation would remain based in Byron Bay. It would seem more appropriate for the Head Office of AIAA to be based in a capital city in order to be more accessible to a greater number of people and closer to funding bodies etc
To date the efforts of AIAA have focused on creating a national network, promoting the need for increased opportunities for Indonesian artists in Australia, making direct contact with Indonesian cultural organisations and artists, promoting existing visiting artist programs, and providing support and information.
In view of AIAA's main priorities it would seem appropriate for AIAA members to work towards the establishment of a national secretariat and local branches with the intention of pursuing the initiation of Indonesian Artist-in-Residence projects throughout Australia, to continue to work at creating a comprehensive information base, network and database of people interested in participating in Australia-Indonesia Cultural Exchange and to continue to promote Indonesian culture nationally and at all levels of the community while undertaking projects to this aim.Schools and educational institutions provide a strong base for Artist-in-Residence projects, as do local cultural and Indonesian community organisations. As AIAA promotes awareness about these programs, it is hoped that more organisations will realize the great potential and availability of Indonesian artists to undertake residencies in Australia.
Judith Shelley
AIAA Co-ordinator
17 September 2000
(Updated Version)