Modest festival showcases quality pieces for art lovers<\/p>\n
By Stevie Emilia and Yudha Kartohadiprodjo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dances and music performed by renowned artists
\nat the Indonesian Art Summit II have been able to help some
\nJakartans forget the rat race of the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Even though this year's summit is less glamourous than its
\npredecessor in 1995, held in conjunction with the country's 50th
\nanniversary, its performances have been wowing audiences with
\ntheir quality, enhanced with philosophical views and special
\ntechniques.<\/p>\n
Initially, there was fear that holding such a festival when
\nmany people are struggling to meet their daily needs, not to
\nmention the country's political and economic turmoil, would be
\nunwelcome.<\/p>\n
But, so far at least, such reservations have proven baseless.
\nNo protests have been held against the festival and audience
\nhalls have been brimming with people.<\/p>\n
The organizing committee's secretary, Saini Kosim, said most
\nof the performances have been filled to capacity. \"I don't have
\nthe figures, but most of the seats have been filled,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
But repeated changes to the summit's performance schedule has
\ncaused some inconveniences to many planning to watch the shows.<\/p>\n
For instance, Rendra's Suku Naga (Dragon Tribe), which was
\nscheduled for Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, was moved to Sept. 29 and
\nSept. 30. The play was to replace the Egyptian theater group El-
\nWarsha, which canceled its performances in the last minute.<\/p>\n
Saini has apologized for any inconveniences caused by the ever
\nchanging schedule, saying it had been, nonetheless, necessary.<\/p>\n
\"We printed the schedule before the summit started for
\npromotional purposes and to raise funds, but later on, we had to
\nmake some adjustments due to artist requests and other matters,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
For instance, Rendra could not perform as earlier scheduled
\nbecause he had just returned from Korea, where he had staged his
\nplay. \"He wanted to have more time to prepare for the summit,\"
\nSaini said.<\/p>\n
He praised the cooperation and understanding of the festival's
\nforeign participants. \"None of them have complained. But I still
\napologize in case there's been something wrong. They're very
\ncooperative and understanding to our situation,\" Saini said.<\/p>\n
A lack of promotion has also affected the summit.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know what this festival is all about,\" said Made,
\nsitting with his girlfriend at the Taman Ismail Marzuki cineplex
\non the summit's opening night.<\/p>\n
He seemed more interested in watching a popular movie on the
\nbig screen than being at the cultural event. But he added that he
\nwas not sure what the summit was for because he had never heard
\nabout the event.<\/p>\n
Since the opening of the summit last week, four renowned
\nartists have performed for Jakarta' art lovers.<\/p>\n
Gusmiati Suid's choreography in the summit's opening, Api
\nDalam Sekam (Tinderbox), captivated viewers with her dancers'
\ndynamic performance.<\/p>\n
Dancer Linda Hoemar Abidin, who was in the audience, praised
\nthe performance, saying the choreography was esthetically
\npleasing, though lacked a bit in emotion.<\/p>\n
\"Some of the dancers lacked some technique, such as
\nbreathing...,\" she told the Post.<\/p>\n
But she said, however, the piece could be considered as a good
\nrepresentation of contemporary Indonesian performing arts. \"Yes,
\nI'm proud to tell foreigners about the performance.\"<\/p>\n
Another performer, composer Alvin Lucier from the U.S.,
\nstunned viewers with his \"extraordinary\" piece, Music for Voices
\nand Gamelan Instruments, exploring another side of gamelan
\ninstruments.<\/p>\n
The Japanese experimental dance of Butoh has also been
\nfeatured in the summit with Yukio Waguri and his dance group
\nKohzenza performing The Wedding on the Field at the Taman Ismail
\nMarzuki arts center, while noted young composer Toni Prabowo
\npresented four compositions at the Jakarta Playhouse.<\/p>\n
Apart from music and dance performances, a two-day dialog on
\nthe problems of multiculturalism and exploration of local sources
\nfeaturing local and international experts was also held at the
\nAlia Hotel on Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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