EKI tackles new theme with 'China Moon'

EKI tackles new theme with 'China Moon'

Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta

After its success exploring the most sensual of man's senses in
last year's Gallery of Kisses, the Eksotika Karmawibhangga
Indonesia (EKI) dance company is returning to the stage
with the Chinese-themed show The 3rd Urban Ritual China Moon.

The show, which will be staged from March 6 to March 8 at the
GoetheHaus in Menteng, Central Jakarta, marks the group's first
exploration of this theme.

"We have wanted to stage a Chinese-themed show for a long
time. But non-Chinese themes always come first. Now we feel
ready, though previously we felt awkward because many of us are
Chinese-Indonesians," EKI choreographer and director Rusdy
Rukmarata, a graduate of the London Contemporary School, said
while preparing the show.

The performance explores a key phrase among Chinese-
Indonesians: "I am not Chinese".

China Moon is a composite of dance, song and acting centered
around a married couple, Wei Wei and Ce Cien. The wife is a
tailor while her husband does not have a steady job, spending
most of his time at home taking care of his Lou Han fish, which
he believes will bring him kang tau (fortune).

Wei Wei calls himself "not Chinese" because he is poor. It is
this perception that is at the center of the 90-minute
performance. It also tells of Wei Wei's son, who mingles with
hoodlums, their housekeeper, who plays a dominant role in the
house, memories of love and being terrorized by "street singers"
-- six saxophonists.

With jazz in the background, Betawi-style comedic scenes and
ballet dancing with a touch of Betawi and Banyuwangi give the
show its enchantment.

Created by Rusdi, the show requires the EKI dancers --
including Takako Leen, Lilis, Kojack, Hendy Leonathan and Gede --
to work hard because of the different styles of dances.

Overall, the show, with Firman Ichsan and Iskandar K. Loedin
as artistic directors, and Oni Krisnerwinto and his group
Hyperzax providing the music, is entertaining.

Takako, as expected, delivers a stunning performance, but
Lilis also deserves credit for her excellent acting as Ce Cien.

EKI dance company president director Aiko Senosoenoto said the
show was scheduled to be staged in Singapore next year, with
dialog in English. The group is also planning another Chinese-
themed show, Dragon in Waiting: May Passion, Pride and Poison,
for next year.

China Moon, however, is missing one thing, the fact that some
Chinese-Indonesian say, "I'm not Chinese but I am a Chinese-
Indonesian who wants to preserve Chinese traditions here". For
these people, Chinese culture is their identity.

One such person, soothsayer The Eng Tjai, or Suhu Acai as he
is better known, the head of the Lestari Kebudayaan Tionghoa
Indonesia Foundation, works hard to revitalize Chinese culture in
Indonesia.

He said efforts to revitalize Chinese culture here would help
the ethnic Chinese enrich the country's culture. One of the
foundation's programs is the planned construction of the Dragon
Museum in West Java. The museum would be based along the same
lines as Taman Mini in East Jakarta, showcasing traditional
Chinese architecture and crafts.

The 3rd Urban Ritual China Moon; GoetheHaus; Jl. Sam Ratulangi No.
9-15, Central Jakarta; For further information tel. 021-23550208.