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Keliling-keliling

The Theft of Sita

The Theft of Sita is an award-winning Australia-Indonesia theatre production based loosely on the Ramayana, transposing it's events to contemporary Indonesia. It tells the tale of the cost of environmental destruction in the pursuit of power and profit.

Director Nigel Jamieson had the felicitous idea of inviting a group of Indonesian musicians and puppeteers to collaborate with composer Paul Grabowsky to create a multicultural puppet show based on the Hindu epic. Sita, who represents the fragile beauty of the natural world, is kidnapped by Rawana. Their journey takes them from the Indonesian rainforest to urban slums, factories and freeways and into a surrealist world of steel and glass towers that reflect the theft of Indonesia's natural resources for commercial greed. In fact some might say the theme of this story has a much broader relevance and could be applied to the present global situation. Told mostly in English, the story is moved forward by two traditional clown characters who inject some raw Australian humour. The fusion of Indonesian and contemporary western elements including music and culture, incorporates the talents of Paul Grabovsky, Balinese Dalang and percussionists, Reg Mombassa as well as British theatre designer, Julian Crouch. The concoction that Jamieson has put together is sheer enchantment.

There were sellout performances at the 2000 Adelaide Festival and the 2000 Melbourne Festival. John Slavin of The Age described The Theft of Sita as the most original and brilliant production at the Melbourne festival. After Sydney the show will travel to New York, London and Belfast. Arif Hidayat of Arimba Culture Exchange (AIAA Member) who was recently interviewed on Suara Indonesia worked has been working with Jamieson since the shows conception.Arif: Yes we have about, maybe 100 puppets... traditional puppets from Bali and then also contemporary puppets from Australia. One of them is designed by Rex Mombassa and then we have five puppeteers, four Australian puppeteers perform in this and then we have a huge screen, sometimes then we have two screens and then we have four screens.

The Australian-Indonesian production will be performed at the Drama Theatre in the Sydney Opera House from 3-12 October 2001. Performance times are Tuesday - Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8-30pm Sunday at 2pm and 7pm. The performance lasts a full uninterrupted 90 minutes.

Art and Human Rights Project

The Humanities Research Centre, ANU has initiated a three year 'Art and Human Rights' project. The aim of this project is to research and bring to fruition a major project in the Humanities resulting in a workshop (2001), international workshop (2002), international conference, workshops and exhibitions (2002/2003) and publications (2003) related to the subject of Art and Human Rights.

The 'Human Rights and Art' project is a major initiative of the Humanities Research Centre and I believe the project will have significant outcomes.

The project aims to bring together scholars in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law in interdisciplinary collaboration. The research deals with the intersections between art and society and centres on the issue of human rights.

A workshop to shape the parameters of the project was held in Canberra on 23 and 24 July 2001. A number of artists, cultural theorists and international human rights lawyers participated in the workshop. Dadang Christanto travelled from Darwin to be involved in the discussion and presented a paper about his work. Whilst in Canberra Dadang was also involved in a 2 day residency at the Canberra School of Art.

Christine Clark
The Humanities Research Centre The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
Location: Old Canberra House Lennox Crossing (continuation of Liversidge Rd)
Telephone: Direct international: 61 2 6125 4930; Australia: 02 6125 4930
General Enquiries to +61 2 6125 2700
Facsimile: 61 2 6248 0054 (local): 02 6248 0054
Email: christine.clark@anu.edu.au
Website: http://www.anu.edu.au/HRC/

Songket at Asian Music and Dance Festival

The Asian Music and Dance Festival held every year at the Sydney Opera House has been with us again during August 2001. The program included some wonderful Indonesian music performances with Margaret Bradley and her group Songket presenting a free performance - "Sounds from Indonesia and Australia" at the Lower Concourse Bar Festival Club on 24 August as well as a free Gamelan demonstration and workshop program in the Studio Foyer on 25 and 26 August.

The Sydney Gamelan Java also presented a performance of Langen Suka on 26 August. More information re other performances at the Opera House 9250 7777 or http://www.soh.nsw.gov.au

Indonesian Director visits Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival

Indonesian director Garin Nugroho visited Sydney in early August as part of the Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival. He was there to present a screening of his latest film 'A POET' and also to participate in an film industry seminar.

The second annual Sydney Asia Pacific Film Festival ran from 9 to 18 August at Reading Cinemas, Market City, Chinatown. The Festival featured new feature films from Asia and short works by Asian-Australian filmmakers. Over 10,000 people were expected to attend the ten day Festival.

A POET (Puisi Tak Terkuburkan) depics the true story of Ibrahim Kadir, a didong poet from Gayo, Central Aceh on the island of Sumatra. The film is a remarkably frank and chilling treatment of the 1965 massacre carried out by the Indonesian military and reactionary forces against suspected members of the Communist Party.

Ibrahim Kadir - the Poet after whom the film was made - endured imprisoned for 22 days, and in doing so he became a living witness to the mass killings, by brutal military forces, of an estimated 500,000 suspected communists. After his release from prison, Kadir conveyed the extent of the tragedy through his beautiful, humanistic poems.

The film was made with the participation of villagers who were themselves victims of the repression and Ibrahim Kadir plays himself in what proves to be a remarkably emotional experience for all involved.

Garin Nugroho attended the premier showing and after the screening answered questions.

Art Summit Indonesia III

The Art Summit is currently being held in Jakarta. Below are details.

Jakarta, August 27 - September 27, 2001

Performance Schedule

Sumatran Musician and Composer Admiral in WA

During August, Minangkabau musician and composer Admiral from STSI Padang Panjang, West Sumatra visited Western Australia and and presented a cultural program at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. This event was presented by Indija Mahjoeddin and Lindsay Vickery and included a performance, demonstration and workshop focussing on Minangkabau wind instrument and vocal music techniques, history, context and composition.

contact: Lindsay Vickery
l.vickery@ecu.edu.au

WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) is at Edith Cowan University, Mt Lawley Campus (Bradford St, Mt Lawley)

from www.balidiscovery.com

Bali Mask Festival Planned

International Mask Festival Planned for East Bali in November or December this year. Internationally renowned Balinese painter and museum founder, Drs. Nyoman Gunarsa, has announced plans to hold an International Mask Festival at a date yet-to-be-announced in November or December, 2001.

According to Mr. Gunarsa, a number of countries have expressed interest in participating in the event, including Argentina, Belgium, Italy, and Japan. The event will be divided into three parts: the staging of various masked dances; an exhibition of fine masks from around the world; and a seminar discussing the development of mask artistry.

The Festival will be headquartered at the Museum Seni Lukis Klasik Bali, a museum established by Mr. Gunarsa near Klungkung in East Bali. The Island of Bali has a strong connection with topeng, with the production and use of masks playing an important role in many Balinese dance dramas.

More information from Mr. Gunarsa
Email: museumklasik@dps.centrin.net.id

STSI

STSI Surakarta is a higher education which is deeply commited to maintain tradition. On its XXXVII Dies Natalis it held an international seminar on Art and Technology. This seminar took place for two days (July 16th and 17th), presenting speakers as follows: 2 foreign experts, 2 technologists, 2 experts in art and 3 practicians/academicians.


Sub Themes, this seminar was divided into sub themes:

Speakers were

Ph. 0062-271-647658 and Fax (0271) 646175
SKBN STSI Surakarta, Jl. Ki. Hajar Dewantara 19, Surakarta fax (0271) 638974
e-mail: e-lae@kompascyber.com

Pranoto's Art Gallery

Pranoto's Art Gallery Ubud, Bali recently presented another, bigger exhibition of paintings in miniature, "small.2". The exhibition opened on Saturday, July 7th, 2001 and continued until 30th July, 2001.

Pranoto's

"small.2" featured more than 150 works of 30 renowned Indonesian and international artists-from Australia, France, Holland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar and the USA.

The artists: Yudy Susanto (Antok), Murni, Damar Permono Djati, Dana Hendra Basuki, Faizal, Gunawan Hanjaya, Ketut Karim, Mas Dibyo, Munadi, Narko Hanjaya, Nyoman Sani, Odong Junaedi, Pranoto, Redika, Sahriel Lasahido, Wayan Sujana (Suklu), Wayan Sutarta, Dadang Rukmana, Harry Soe, Agus Suarjaya, Jerry T (Indonesia), Neil J Austin, Machteld Hali, Kerry Pendergrast (Australia), Jean Phillipe (France), Paul Husner (Holland), Mondo (Italy), Kazu, Shigeyo Kobayashi (Japan), Hasnee A Rahman (Malaysia), Nay Myo Say, Soe Moe (Myanmar), Annie Ogle and Tracy Hamer (USA).

Pranoto's

Main Road Kutuh Ubud Bali
Email: rodanet@denpasar.wasanatara.net.id
http://www.wantree.com.au/~kippo/LineAndColour
Gallery Website: http://www.balibalibali.com-although
Member - AIAA

Geoff Todd Exhibition

CaSa CaSinta Gallery organised an art exhibitions in Yogyakarta and Jakarta by the well known talented Australian artist Geoff Todd.  Geoff has studios in Ararat Victoria and Darwin and has worked and exhibited in Bali and Java since the early 90's. His last exhibition in Indonesia was in 1999 at the Benteng Vredeberg in Yogyakarta.  This exhibition, organised by CaSa CaSinta Gallery covered the revolution of Prince Diponegoro and was reported in the Bulletin/Newsweek as well as in the local media.

The 2001 exhibition was on a religious theme; namely the betrayal,trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.  The title of the exhibition was "Art from the Heart-In Search of the Latter Day Christ".  Some 15 works on canvas and paper were exhibited.  The landscape of several works is Yogyakarta [ Mt Merapi, Parang Kusumo etc] and the Christ Child has Javanese/Indonesian features. In keeping with the theme the exhibition open at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ganjuran, Bantul, Yogyakarta (about 10 mins drive from the centre of Yogya].

The casual preview took place [no speeches etc) at the church on Friday 22 June at 6pm and all members of AIAA were invited.

The exhibition at Ganjuran continued until Sunday 24 June. This was a special date in the Church's Calendar as it is the commencement of the Feast of the Sacred Heart and thousands of pilgrims from all over Indonesia congregated at the Church for Mass (outside, accompanied by Gamelan Music) and other activities.

On Monday 25 April the exhibition moved to Jakarta where it was part of the JakArt@2001 Festival.  It was displayed in the Lobby of the Hotel Atlet Century Park in Senayan between 26-30 June coinciding with the Seminar on " Interreligious Dialogue on Art and Religion: Vehicle for Creating World Peace."  which was attended by representatives of the major religions from overseas and in Indonesia.  In keeping with the ecumenical nature of the Seminar several additional works dealing with Javanese Mysticism (Kejawen, Kebatinan) and Islam (Sufism) were also displayed.

CaSa CaSinta Gallery
Jl. Tirtodipuran No 25 Yogyakarta 55143 Indonesia
Phone/Fax: (62) 02 7438 1349
Email: casinta@indo.net.id
Member - AIAA

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