An oasis of performing arts opens in Jakarta<\/p>\n
By Sirikit Syah<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city has a new theater. Its name: Utan Kayu
\n(TUK); the address, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta; the opening
\ndate: Saturday, Aug. 9.<\/p>\n
"In Javanese, tuk means a spring, water source for people,"
\nsaid Goenawan Mohamad, who owns the place. He said the theater,
\nlocated next to Galeri Lontar has a similar mission.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged there were already some small theaters in
\nJakarta, like Tuti Indra Malaon theater managed by Teguh Karya or
\nOncor theater managed by Ray Sahetapy and Dewi Yull. "But TUK
\nwill be different," he told the audience at the opening speech.<\/p>\n
He said they held no grand ambitions for the theater. "We just
\nwant to provide an alternative place for art performances and
\ngatherings. As we all know, Taman Ismail Marzuki is being
\nrenovated and is very inconvenient at the moment."<\/p>\n
The theater, resembling a mini studio, has good acoustics and
\nis set out like an amphitheater.<\/p>\n
Goenawan a small theater was built because were sick of big
\nthings. "If there is a performance that needs thousands of
\npeople, let's do it in Senayan (sports hall). This is for small-
\nscale performances. Besides, we need audiences of quality not
\nquantity."<\/p>\n
Exhuberance flowed at the opening ceremony with more than 200
\nguests, including the "guru" Umar Kayam and Linda Hoemar the
\ndancer.<\/p>\n
The occasion was highlighted with poetry reading by Sitok
\nSrengenge, a dance performance choreographed by Sulistyo Tirto
\nKusumo, short story reading by Arswendi Nasution, and a musical
\nperformance by the New Jakarta Ensemble.<\/p>\n
As mentioned in the invitations, due to the small capacity of
\nthe theater, the artists performed twice with a hope that all
\nguests could see them in turn. Even so, after the first show,
\nsome guests were reluctant to give up their seats.<\/p>\n
According to Sitok Srengenge, who also manages the theater,
\nartists performing at TUK do receive small fees.<\/p>\n
TUK is a non profit theater. Everyone is welcome and there is
\nno cover charge for any performance, but the organizers don't
\nturn down donations.<\/p>\n
Disappointingly, there were no contributions on Saturday
\nnight, even after a mention from actress and director Jajang
\nPamuntjak. Perhaps people in Jakarta prefer to buy tickets than
\nto make donations.<\/p>\n
Goenawan said TUK would not take any donation from the
\ngovernment or conglomerates. "I have some friends who will help,"
\nhe said convincingly. Their budget is about Rp 5 million per
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
If things do not work? "So be it. I have no burden at all. If
\nit succeeds I am happy, if not, it is alright too."said Goenawan.<\/p>\n
Goenawan is not theater's sole patron. He is assisted by Sitok
\nSrengenge, Toni Prabowo, a musician, and Achmad Sahal, editor of
\nKalam. Over the next three months will present not only arts
\nperformances but exhibitions,literary discussions and other
\nsubjects, and the screening of quality films.<\/p>\n
Laurie Sears, a professor from University of Washington, spoke
\non Theosophy, Javanese Intellectuals and the Nationalist
\nmovement. Endo Suanda from the Indonesian Society of Performing
\nArts discussed the calligraphy and religion yesterday. (Aug. 14).<\/p>\n
On Aug. 22, TUK will be presenting 10 selected poets from Java
\nand Bali. The poetry readings by those poets will be in
\ncooperation with the committee of Festival Indonesia Winternacht
\nEvent, in the Netherlands. The committee annually invites
\nIndonesian poets to perform in the country.<\/p>\n
"I was invited for the last two years. I want other young
\nIndonesian poets to get an opportunity," Sitok said.<\/p>\n
Usually, the committee trusts the selection of poets to
\ncurators in Indonesia. But this time they have agreed to make the
\nselection themselves by seeing young poets perform here.<\/p>\n
Goenawan added that discussions which often take place at
\nGaleri Lontar will be moved to TUK.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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