JakArt brings arts closer to the public

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Learning from past criticism, this year's month-long international arts festival JakArt@2002, which opened last week, has pledged as much public participation as possible to make the arts more enjoyable for the general public.

The organizers said the second JakArt was a follow-up of last year's, which focused on increasing public awareness of the arts.

"Last year's festival was a bit too formal for the public in general, but this year we are trying to make it more enjoyable for them," JakArt@2002 committee chairman Irawan Abidin said when opening the event at the National Gallery in Central Jakarta.

This year's JakArt coincides with Jakarta's 475th anniversary.

"Hopefully, through this event, we can alter the public perception that the arts only belong to an exclusive segment of society," Irawan said.

The event kicked off in style. The gallery was packed by artists, musicians, foreign diplomats and art enthusiasts. All were excited to be part of the event, dubbed the Magical Mystery Evening.

"We chose this gallery as the opening venue because we want artists and art lovers to mingle together in one place and in a less formal way," Irawan explained.

The ongoing festival features over 250 events, including musicals, theatrical performances, interfaith and cultural dialogs, food promotions, photo and painting exhibitions and educational art workshops. They take place in different venues throughout the capital, such as museums, malls, art centers, galleries, hotels, women prisons, cultural centers, streets, embassies and the capital's landmarks, such as Monas National Monument.

Irawan said the festival has been jointly sponsored by various embassies, corporations, participants and individuals. The organizers have so far received around US$1 million.

Hundreds of artists from around the world are scheduled to take part in the event. "Forty percent of them are from abroad. Their participation is expected to show the world that Indonesia, especially Jakarta, is not as bad as its image portrayed by the media in respective countries," Irawan said.

On the list of foreign artists are French cellist Robin Sechan, Malaysian dancer Zubin Mohamad, Australian painter/musician Rachmadi Fiedorowicz, Japanese pianist Yuji Takahashi, German musicians Christof Lauer and Jens Thomas, Canadian painter Ridwan Tompkins, Portuguese musicians Antonio Chainho and Marta Dias, Italian puppeteers Eliso Puleo Cutichio and friends, and Danish musician Moussa Diallo.

Well-known local artists include sculptor Dolorosa Sinaga, musician Luluk Purwanto and Rene Van Helsdingen, contemporary jazz musician Bayu Wirawan, actor Didi Petet, sculptor Iriantine Kamaya and Heyi Makmun.

Teater Abu's artists, who are mainly domestic servants, will perform Opera Nasi Kering (or Dried Rice Opera), Sena Didi Mime, led by Didi Petet will perform a pantomime show.

Another interesting event is the Homeless World Photography exhibition, showing photos by street children from about 10 countries and installation works by young architects.

A huge canvas will be erected at Jl. BPPT in Kampung Bali, Central Jakarta, on which artists will show their talents and turn the street into an art show. Jl. Kemang Raya, in South Jakarta, will host Kemang Street Festival, which will feature art shows and bazaars.

There will also be creative art workshops every Sunday at Monas, which is open to anybody who wants to learn more about painting, sculpture, portraits and acting.