Performing arts with a kampong backdrop

Performing arts with a kampong backdrop

Text and photos

By Tarko Sudiarno

MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Nothing special. That might be
the impression one gets after seeing Studio Mendut in Magelang,
an hour drive from Yogyakarta. But that was exactly the desired
atmosphere for the two-day World Artists' Day Arts Performances
held at the studio on March 13 and 14.

The informality and lack of strict protocols made the festival
different. A simple mat as the stage and a ricefield and river as
the backdrop enhanced the moment, despite the absence of
sophisticated lighting and sound system.

The audience did not dress in suits and there was no smell of
expensive perfume, as most of those enjoying the performances
were local villagers, who treated the event as they would a
traditional show.

The only thing that was difficult to ignore was the
decorations in the studio, the residence of Sutanto and his
Japanese wife Mami Kato, which was dominated by dry straw in
various shapes.

According to Sutanto, the man behind the performances, the
event, which took place for the first time in 1993, was begun to
provide an alternative arts festival.

"Everything was 'arranged', including art performances, such
as the Borobudur Festival, which was sponsored by the government.
Such festivals need lots of funds and involve many people, but
they do not educate people, they're simply projects," Sutanto
said.

Traditional and contemporary dances, poetry recitals and
musical and theatrical performances dominated the two-day event,
which featured local and foreign artists.

Local artists performing at the event included Debby Subiyanti
of Surabaya, who staged a dance titled The World; Jemek Supardi
of Yogyakarta who put on a pantomime; the Surabaya Youth Music
Movement, which performed acoustic music; and puppeteer Slamet
Gundono of Tegal, Central Java.

Foreign participants included Ajang Mai of Bangkok, who
performed a contemporary dance titled The Mask of the Fool; Gerda
Rouhoft of Germany, who performed a dance titled Wer Jammert am
Besten; Lee Kon Yew of Singapore; and Okinawa of Japan, whose
dance was titled Silent Garden.

This performances at this year's festival were successful and
received a warm response from the audience.

When it was first organized on March 14, 1993, the event was
called the World Contemporary Cultural Congress. Through his
contacts, Sutanto was able to present noted artists and critics,
such as Bagong Kussudiardja, Goenawan Mohamad, Nirwan Dewanto and
Heri Dono. The event featured informal seminars and contemporary
and tradition arts performances staged by reputable and lesser-
known artists.

"Then, without spending millions of rupiah, we were able to
match government-sponsored festivals," Sutanto said, adding that
the artists attended the event at their own expense.

In 1995, the event was held in the same location and ran for
three days, and featured various arts performances and cultural
discussions.

In 1996, the festival was held at Chulalong Korn University in
Bangkok, with artists from 18 countries, including 25 groups from
Indonesia. In 1999, the festival was held in Berlin.

Sutanto was unable to attend the festival in Berlin because he
was busy staging a folk festival at his studio.

"I didn't attend the festival because there was no more
challenge. The situation had changed and there was no more need
to struggle. Now I'm concentrating on art activities in the local
community," said Sutanto, who also works on numerous other
festivals, including the Children's World Cultural Festival,
Women's Rebellion Festival, Street Singing Festival and painting
exhibitions.

Sutanto said he held the World Artists' Day Arts Performances
this year not to show his resistance, but to empower artists who
were reluctant to take part in commercial activities and did not
often receive the opportunity to perform in public.