Exhibition unmasks the many faces of culture<\/p>\n
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Masks are universal as they can be found in almost every
\nculture on the planet. They also play a significant role in the
\nartistic, ritualistic or social aspects of life.<\/p>\n
The masks of 22 countries and some 100 related items,
\nincluding books, references, photos and stamps, are on display at
\nthe Sonobudoyo Museum Unit II of Dalem Cadrakiranan, adjacent to
\nthe Yogyakarta Kraton (Palace) through Nov. 5.<\/p>\n
Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X officially opened the
\nexhibition on Oct. 27. Among the guests of honor were Belgian
\nAmbassador to Indonesia Luc Darras and envoys from the
\nparticipating countries.<\/p>\n
"It's an honor for both the government and society that the
\nInternational Mask Conference and Exhibition is being held here
\nin Yogyakarta. This is not just an arts event, but also a forum
\nfor creating friendships and brotherhood among countries," the
\nsultan said in his opening speech.<\/p>\n
The exhibition's project officer Rudi Corens said, "Through
\nthe exhibition, we want to show there is indeed a strong
\nrelationship between masks and human civilization."<\/p>\n
Among the participating countries are the Philippines, Spain,
\nMexico, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Brazil and Greece, as well
\nas domestic participants, including Yogyakarta Kraton, Surakarta
\nKraton, Radya Pustaka Museum (Surakarta), Nyoman Gunarsa Museum
\n(Bali), Sri Baduga Museum (Bandung), Ardiyanto Gallery
\n(Yogyakarta), Sonobudoyo Museum and private collectors at home
\nand abroad.<\/p>\n
The exhibition is divided into eight different sections.<\/p>\n
The "masks and their origin in the world" section relates the
\nhistory of masks, starting from face painting, tattooing, to mask
\ncreation.<\/p>\n
The "masks and traditional functions" section displays various
\nkinds of masks in the world. The most interesting in the section
\nis a wooden mask as much as 250 years old, known as a doyok. The
\nmask was found in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. Others include
\nreplicas of masks from the prehistoric era.<\/p>\n
The "masks and medicine" section shows the rituals in using
\nmasks to heal particular diseases, both in the traditional world
\nand the modern era. Among the masks exhibited includes a wooden
\nmask from Sri Lanka, known as a mahasona, which is still used for
\nhealing purposes. Other masks on display show illustrations of
\nharelip and leprosy.<\/p>\n
The "masks and religions" section will enable visitors to see
\nhow masks were strongly related to religions and beliefs, even in
\ntheir early development. This section also shows how people put
\nmasks on the faces of the dead in ancient times.<\/p>\n
The "masks and drama" section shows how masks have been used
\nto identify the characters in plays. In some cultures, a drama
\ncannot be performed at all without a mask. Ramakien, the Thai
\nversion of Ramayana, or Javanese Wayang Topeng are such examples.<\/p>\n
The other three themes are "masks and social activities",
\n"masks and children" and "masks and folk arts, entertainment and
\ndecoration".<\/p>\n
During the exhibition, the organizers have also put on a
\nnumber of related programs, including masked dance performances,
\na discussion and launch of a book about masks and a mask market,
\ninvolving 12 mask carvers from Yogyakarta and its surroundings.<\/p>\n
"The basic idea in setting up the mask market is not just to
\ndemonstrate the art of making them but also the use of both
\nnatural and artificial materials," Rudi said, adding that the
\nmarket would hopefully help improve local carvers' creativity and
\ninventive spirit.<\/p>\n
Masked dance performances are scheduled for certain nights
\nduring the exhibition. Among the performers are noted dancer
\nDidik Nini Thowok of Yogyakarta, well-known for the use of masks
\nin most of his dances, Italian Pino Confessa, Venetian Carmencita
\nPalermo and other Venetian actors.<\/p>\n
The discussion and book launch will take place on Nov. 4. The
\nbook contains articles written by 12 domestic and foreign
\nwriters, including Rudi and Rector of the Indonesian Arts
\nInstitute (ISI) Yogyakarta I. Made Bandem.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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