GKJ Awards puts dancers on their toes to excel<\/p>\n
By Helly Minarti<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): There are certain conditions ideally required
\nfor arts to flourish. In the case of modern dance, this includes
\ngood schools where young artists can hone their skills and
\nknowledge, good companies or groups where they can engage in the
\ncreative process, and opportunities, such as regular festivals
\nand competitions, to showcase their works.<\/p>\n
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ, the Jakarta Playhouse) is
\norganizing a choreography competition for which the winners will
\nreceive GKJ Awards.<\/p>\n
"Dewan Kesenian Jakarta (The Jakarta Arts Council) used to
\nhold such an event. It stopped a few years ago, and I feel that
\nGKJ has to take over the task," said Farida Oetojo, director of
\nGKJ.<\/p>\n
However, she also has another agenda. "We want to map out
\nchoreographers in Indonesia by providing them a forum to showcase
\ntheir new works," said Oetojo, who is a choreographer herself.<\/p>\n
The first biannual GKJ Awards, held in 1997, attracted 98
\nentries. "It was quite good. And the impact for choreographers
\nwas definitely positive since it has stimulated them to continue
\ntheir works," Oetojo said. She was referring to competition
\nwinners, whose trophies later opened some doors for them to
\nperform on bigger stages. One of these is Jacko, who at the time
\nwas a student at the Jakarta Institute of the Arts, and won first
\nplace at GKJ Awards I.<\/p>\n
Oetojo said she wanted to extend the event internationally by
\ninviting participants from aboard, although this plan has been
\npostponed due to the crisis. "For this one, we have announced it
\nto Malaysia, hopefully they'll respond " said Oetojo, who last
\nyear co-founded the Kreativitaet dance company.<\/p>\n
The need for a dance competition was confirmed by Nungki
\nKusumastuti, a senior dancer and now also manager of the Jakarta
\nInstitute of the Arts (IKJ) dance troupe.<\/p>\n
"Competitions can be good forums, especially for new
\nchoreographers, to test and show their creativity through which
\nthey can emerge as professionals," said Nungki.<\/p>\n
So, is it like a baptism for newcomers? "Sort of. Naturally
\nwe'd like to help the young choreographers, for example by
\npromoting them in international events. But it's better if they
\ncan showcase their works at a respected forum where new talents
\nare easily recognized."<\/p>\n
GKJ Awards is open to everybody, not just young or new
\nchoreographers. "(That's why) we don't select entrants and we
\neven include 'entertainment works' as one of the categories. It's
\nsimply an open forum. We don't have the intention to either seek
\nnew faces or group them into a 'senior-junior' scheme. Possibly
\nthe already established choreographer will win the awards, but we
\nhope new faces will somehow find their way," Oetojo said.<\/p>\n
There is no doubt a good festival can be a bridge to artistic
\nrecognition for those whose talents are not been publicly known.
\nIt is only a starting point, and the rest of the creative path to
\nartistic stardom depends on the drive of each choreographer.<\/p>\n
"They have to find their own way afterwards. I am a
\nchoreographer myself, so I know what I'm talking about," Oetojo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The GKJ competition is divided into three categories. First is
\nchoreography based on traditional styles, which includes new
\nworks centered around traditional or other ethnical expression.
\nSecond is the contemporary category, which includes works that
\nuse traditional or modern elements such as ballet and modern
\ndance. Third is the entertainment category, referring to new
\nworks that use a either one or a mix of styles such as jazz
\ndance, disco and anything else.<\/p>\n
There are five places for each category (three main plus two
\nrunners-up) but only one choreographer will be selected to bring
\nthe title of the GKJ Awards home and be given the chance to
\nperform the winning piece in the Fifth Indonesia Dance Festival
\n'99, an international event to be held in September.<\/p>\n
For those interested in joining the competition, please
\ncontact GKJ, telephone (021) 380 8283, 344 1892, fax 381 0924 or
\ne-mail: gkj@pacific.net.id. The registration period ends on
\nAugust 24.<\/p>",
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