Boi G. Sakti sets the stage in Esplanade opening

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.