Arts Agenda

Exhibition on Jambi's antique batik and woven songket at the Japan Foundation, Summitmas I building, third floor, Jl.Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta, through Nov. 15.

Jambi province is located between the provinces of Riau and West Sumatra. Jambi is believed to be an ancient administrative and trade center in Sumatra.

The province is rich in historical and cultural assets such as antique ceramics, Buddhist temples, statues, stone inscriptions and many others.

Jambi is famous for its lavish and intricate textiles including batik and songket (a double-woven textile with gold thread embroidery).

To show the richness of Jambi's textiles, Kajalangko Arts Center in Jambi in cooperation with the Japan Cultural Center is organizing an exhibition on Jambi's antique batik and songket.

The exhibition will be followed by a discussion and a traditional music and entertainment show.

Dance Performance Orang-Orang Ketiga (The Third Persons) by Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia (EKI) production at Gedung Pertunjukkan Societe on Jl. Sriwedari No.1 in Yogyakarta on Nov.15 and Nov.16; and at Taman Budaya Surakarta, Jl. Ir Sutami 57, Surakarta on Nov. 19 and Nov.20 at 7.30 p.m.

Orang-Orang Ketiga, choreographed by Rusdy Rukmarata, a graduate of the London Contemporary Dance School, tells a story of the unfortunate people. On a large scale--in a state-- the third persons are the ordinary people, the little men, the abandoned group. On a smaller scale --in a family -- these third persons are the "other women" or the "other men" who destroy families. Servants, laborers, children out of wedlock are also considered third-class society.

"We are classified. Everything is measured by a label. Any human being--whoever she or he may be, has a right to live and to be loved. We have emotion," claimed Rusdy.

In a 45-minute choreography, Rusdy exploits various societal issues from male-female relationships, abortion, sexual deviants and many others. "Human relationship is always considered less important than political activities," Rusdy complained.

The performance is supported by Sujiwo Tejo as music arranger and actor, Dian HP, Takako Leen and dozens of EKI dancers.

EKI production will also stage the show in Bandung on Nov.10 and Nov.11.

Dance Performance Dongeng Dari Dirah (A Tale from Dirah), choreographed and performed by Sardono W. Kusumo, at Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta, from Nov.16 through Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., free of charge

Twenty seven years ago, a group of artists performed an intriguing dance-theater show titled Dongeng Dari Dirah, choreographed by dancer-painter Sardono W. Kusumo.

It tells the story of Calon Arang, a witch. It is set during the reign of the king of Kertangara of the Singasari Kingdom in East Java.

Actors in the l973 show were Sardono, Hajar Satoto (now a famous actor), Soegeng (then a student of the Jakarta Arts Institute), painter and writer Danarto and I Wayan Diya.

Now, to mark Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)'s anniversary, the dance will be performed again for the public for free. The performance is part of TIM's November Festival.

Painting Exhibition Gambar Ajal dan Kegirangan Baru (Picture of Death and a New Delight), by EddiE haRa and Ivan Sagito, at Galeri Santi, Jl. Benda No.4, Cilandak Timur, Kemang, South Jakarta, through Nov.23.

EddiE haRa and Ivan Sagito are young painters who have greatly contributed in the creation a new trend in the Yogyakarta fine arts world, if not in Indonesia, in the early 80s.

EddiE's styles are naive yet sophisticated. He adopts the styles of world-class painters such as Jean Dubuffet, Mimmo Paladino and A.R. Penck. He explores ideas from primitive flowers and animals, symbols, masks and other objects.

Ivan, on the other hand, is obsessed with surrealism. His drawings mostly portray a journey to conquer time. Through his drawings, the artist tries to picture the past, in which a series of incidents occur.

Dance Theater or Tanztheater: Alle der Kosmonauten choreographed by Sasha Waltz, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian 1, Central Jakarta, on Nov. 18 and Nov.19. at 8 p.m.

Jakarta dance lovers will again be able to watch a quality German dance theater Tanztheater choreographed by Sasha Waltz.

Born in Karlsruhe 37 years ago, Waltz firstly studied dance from Waltraud Komhaas. She continued her study in Amsterdam at the School for Dance Development and later moved to New York.

Her work Alle de Kosmonauten has already been performed in several international dance festivals. (raw)