GKJ Festival expected to inspire Jakarta<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After a long pause, the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
\n(GKJ) will again delight the local art circle with an
\ninternational-scale art event on Aug. 19 through Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
The 20-day event called Gedung Kesenian Jakarta International
\nFestival 2000 will involve performers from nine countries:
\nPoland, China, the Netherlands, Mexico, Britain, Austria, Japan
\nand Italy.<\/p>\n
Farida Feisol, director of the Jakarta Playhouse, explained
\nthat the festival was expected to relieve the heated atmosphere
\nin Jakarta, where tension has been increasing in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
\"It is hoped the active participation of performers from eight
\nforeign countries will rekindle the image of Jakarta as a
\ncultural city,\" said Farida.<\/p>\n
The last festival was organized by the Jakarta Playhouse in
\nl997, when Indonesia was first hit by a multidimensional crisis.
\nThe first festival was held in l990, and was expected to be held
\nbiannually. However, due to security and financial problems, it
\nwas halted until this year.<\/p>\n
Farida said each participating country had confirmed it would
\ndisplay its best traditional and contemporary performing arts.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will present popular dance troupe Gumarang Sakti led
\nby choreographer Gusmiati Suid.<\/p>\n
During the festival, Gusmiati will stage her most recent dance
\nchoreography titled Menggantang Asap (Expecting the Impossible),
\na sequence to her two previous works Api Dalam Sekam (Tinderbox)
\nand Asa di Ujung Tanduk (Last Hope).<\/p>\n
Artist Butet Kartaredjasa will stage Mayat Terhormat
\n(Respected Corpse), a monologue telling a story of a graveyard
\nattendant who every day witnesses people suffering at the hands
\nof brutal officials.<\/p>\n
Teater Payung Hitam is to perform DOM dan Orang Mati (Military
\nOperation Territory and the Dead), which reveals the facts about
\nthe ferocity of military members in conducting a territorial
\noperation in which hundreds of people are injured and killed.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will also present Topeng Cirebon (Cirebon Mask) and
\nBali Arja Balinese traditional drama.<\/p>\n
Mexico will present Dance Company of the State of
\nAguascalientes. The company will invite local audiences to watch
\nthe beautiful and colorful traditional Mexican dance titled
\nColores De Mexico (staged between Sept. 1 and Sept. 2).<\/p>\n
The troupe, consisting of 30 artists, will stage various
\ntraditional folk and ritual dances originating from the Aztec
\nculture. The performance has been made possible due to close
\ncooperation with the Mexican Embassy in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
In cooperation with the British Council, Stephen Mottram will
\nput on a puppet show (Sept. 3 and Sept. 4).<\/p>\n
Mottram will manipulate marionettes in an enchanting and
\nimaginative way. The performance will be accompanied by music
\ncomposed by Glyn Perrin.<\/p>\n
In addition to dance, theater and puppet shows, the festival
\nwill also present a jazz concert featuring Heinz von Hermann Jazz
\nAhead Quintet from Austria (performed on Sept.5).<\/p>\n
Japan is presenting the Harp Ensemble Concert featuring
\nprominent harpists Keiko Kaneko, Kiyoko Sagiya, Mari Suzuki,
\nYukiko Omata, Urara Inoque. Established by Josef Mornas, the
\nensemble has performed around the world. The group's repertoire
\nranges from classic, jazz to pop music. The show is fully
\nsupported by the Japan Cultural Foundation.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands will also present a music concert featuring
\nKeros Ensemble (Aug. 27). The ensemble comprises harpist
\nAlexander Bonnet and violinist Angelo Gimeno and soprano
\nGabrielle Mulder. Music by Louis Spohr, Jo Sporck and Hans Kox
\nwill be played.<\/p>\n
For the first time, Italy will stage the Italian Opera Arias
\non Stage by soprano Nunzia Santodirocco and pianist Guido
\nGalterio (Sept. 8).<\/p>\n
Poland will stage theater performance Greenpeace by Wladyslaw
\nKazmierczack and Ewa Smigielska (Aug. 21). The story portrays the
\ngrim situation in which war, pollution and rapid technological
\ndevelopment drastically change the social life and environment of
\nthe world.<\/p>\n
China will also take part in the festival by presenting
\ntraditional folk dances performed by Chinese Dance Troupe from
\nHeilongjiang.<\/p>\n
The group will perform eight dances such as Stick with
\nFlowers, Mongolian, Song of the Boat, Heroine in Peking Opera.<\/p>\n
All performances will be staged at 8 p.m. For more information
\ncall Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on (021) 3808283, 3441892. (raw)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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