Boi G. Sakti sets the stage in Esplanade opening

Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Singapore

A standing applause on the second day, Oct. 13, of the performance paid tribute to the Indonesian choreographer Boi G. Sakti and the Singapore Dance Theater (SDT) for their exquisite appearance in Reminiscing the Moon, a mesmerizing performance of contemporary nature, with movements that were both strong and fluid at the same time.

The fusion of movements referring to pencak silat martial arts with its tensions between motionless postures and sudden bursting dynamics -- with the elegance and flowing movements of ballet, have come to lofty fruition of the collaboration between Boi Sakti and SDT, while particular aesthetics, the marvelous costumes and the gripping beat of traditional percussion and song were further assets.

Rather than a story that has a plot with a beginning and an ending, Reminiscing the Moon is an intense pondering made visual in a collection of scenes, with each scene having its own strength.

In this sense, Boi, who comes from a male dominated tradition of martial arts, has surprisingly well captured the issues affecting women's lives most deeply. Taking the moon as the lead symbol reminds us of the important role that is cast on women in sustaining the existence of humankind. In the book of symbols, the moon holds the seeds of cyclical rebirth, the chalice that contains the beverage of immortality. The Malay term for menstruation is datang bulan which literally means the coming of the moon. Another term involving the moon is menunggu bulan meaning waiting to give birth.

Symbolic metaphors relating to the female abound in Reminiscing the Moon linking tradition to the contemporary. Pounding of the rice may seem remote in the urban ambience, yet is still a daily activity in many of Asia's more agrarian communities. Moving towards modern life has evidently not removed the stigma of female subordination and violence against women remains s horrifying issue both in the domestic as well as in the public sphere with war zones putting an additional emphasis.

Women crushing roses laid down by men, as well as in the flinging the petals in the air denote an upcoming revolt against sweet talk and promises, storm and thunder refer to their liberation struggle, and the abundant use of water refers to the female as it stands for the spring and channel of all life. From the act of giving birth, to the act of purification, and the passing of water to each other, it all reminds us of the female spirit. The meters-long veils dragging behind a woman may look elegant, but in fact denotes the spiritual burden that traditional accessories have become.

A long row of wooden squares at the final stage may be symbolic of the long way that it will still take for women to achieve what they aspire, and the helping hand of the male dancers to get them stepping from one to the other square is like a statement that it will ultimately need both women and men to eradicate oppression and repression.

For Boi, the honor of working with the prestigious Singapore Dance Theater for the opening of this important Esplanade Theaters is bound to have an impact on his future works. The influence of the SDT dancers and their ballet background have resulted in movements that may have slightly reduced the usual power in pencak silat, but have made great gains in terms of subtlety and fluidity.

Boi says the fascinating state-of-the-art facility of the theater has been a major inspiration to perform a piece of this caliber. "I am not sure such could be done on another stage," he says.

For SDT, their selection to perform for the opening of the new arts center was a milestone. Working with Boi this time has added another dimension to their skill and repertoire. Earlier pieces with Boi's choreographies were short. Reminiscing the Moon is the longest and most comprehensive they have done together.

It has not always been easy, says co-founder and artistic director of SDT Ms Goh Soo Kim, who is a well respected award- winning choreographer herself. SDT dancers are used to the technique of ballet, which may not have the same energy and fast pace of silat.

In addition, they had to switch from a usual fixed choreography to one which was often subjected to change. Ms Goh further elaborates that STD welcomes working with other companies, savoring the exchange with different dances and approaches which present both physical and emotional challenges.

Esplanade chief executive officer Benson Puah considers both STD which he calls "our finest dance company" with Boi as "the young and highly-gifted Asian star's promise of the future".

The interplay of various elements in this piece gives one a feeling of being close to home and at home in the world, he states.

There were also other visions coming from particularly those who came to the invitees-only performance on the first day. Composer Dick Lee for instance, had expected more dance, and wondered whether the piece could stand on its own. As part of the celebrations it was just fine, he said.

But the paying public on Oct. 13 gave a standing ovation and is telling of current views on performances in the style of Reminiscing the Moon.