JakArt brings arts closer to the public

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.