'Art lovers' tarnish Mostered's performance<\/p>\n
Cameron Bates, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The rudeness of an Indonesian audience was no better demonstrated
\nthan during the conclusion of Luminescent Twilight at Gedung
\nKesenian recently.<\/p>\n
Besides a number of snoring, suited \"art lovers\" sleeping in
\nthe shabby, tacky, gold-painted plaster interior of the theater,
\nconcertgoers had to contend with the unwanted, extended shrill of
\ncell phones.<\/p>\n
The contemporary dance was supposed to reflect Dutch
\nchoreographer Gerard Mosterd's internal struggle to accept his
\nIndonesian ancestry. The irony of this East versus West battle
\nbeing interrupted by technology cannot be understated.<\/p>\n
This arrogance -- at least one of the criminals even answered
\nthe phone and began a mumbled conversation -- ruined the finale
\nof what had been an entertaining, thought provoking 60 minutes.<\/p>\n
The show began for the majority -- people were still arriving
\n20 minutes into the piece -- with the haunting gamelan music of
\nDutchman Niels Walen.<\/p>\n
Walen, barely illuminated to one side of the blackened stage,
\nused a plastic spoon and a rebab (Javanese violin), the softer
\ngender and slenthem instruments, a gong and electronic overlays
\ncourtesy of Paul Goodman to achieve an atmosphere of loneliness.<\/p>\n
Eventually, out of the darkness, Dutch-raised, Malaysian-born
\ndancer Teck Voon Ng emerged. A single, narrow beam of light shone
\ndown on his back before he straightened and walked toward a
\nsecond beam of light which slowly crept up his body to reveal his
\nface for the first time.<\/p>\n
This representation of Mosterd's Eastern ancestry growing
\nwithin him, playing more of a role in his life contrasted with
\nhis Western self, as performed by energetic Dutch dancer Ester
\nNatzijl.<\/p>\n
Natzijl, who ran on stage, embraced and frolicked in the
\nlight. But it was clear she was troubled. Life is a battle and
\nshe struggled against time, against the pace of \"modern\" life.
\nHer tortured facial expressions pleased the audience and she
\nflirted with them, her movements, at times, almost comical.<\/p>\n
The dancers, though not truly tested athletically by the
\nchoreography, held the attention of the audience throughout,
\ntheir movements clearly expressing their internal and external
\nconflicts.<\/p>\n
Teck grew in confidence throughout the piece, almost to the
\npoint of cockiness. His experimentation in the light -- the
\nquality of the lighting, and its intelligence, is a highlight --
\nis a feature of his character.<\/p>\n
The dancers finally square off against each other behind a
\nback-lit paper screen. While a silhouetted Teck uses Javanese-
\nstyle court dance movements, Natzijl, the crowd favorite, is
\nfighting a bitter internal battle.<\/p>\n
Eventually Teck breaks through the thin screen, the gap in the
\ntorn, back-lit screen gives the impression of a pair of angel
\nwings, perhaps a hint of salvation, as he emerges.<\/p>\n
As the work climaxes the dancers have become an uncomfortable
\none, the music suggesting that though the dancers movements are
\nin unison, all is not well behind the facade.<\/p>\n
The pair cease their movements and stare at each other before
\nTeck stands and moves back towards the area of twilight as
\nNatzijl exits stage left.<\/p>\n
It is during this representation of Mosterd's Eastern self
\nretreating back into the gray area between luminescence and
\ntwilight, the finale of the piece, that the performance is
\ninterrupted and ruined by the cursed cell phone.<\/p>\n
It is clear, in this battle at least, the West and time have
\nwon hands down.<\/p>\n
Luminescent Twilight hits Sositet Yogyakarta on Oct. 11; Theater
\nBesar, Indonesian Arts Institute (STSI) Surakarta in Central Java
\non Oct. 12; Taman Budaya Surabaya on Oct. 15 and Oct. 16; and
\nSTSI Theater, Denpasar on Oct. 19. All shows begin at 8 p.m.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/art-lovers-tarnish-mostereds-performance-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}