Wayang, culinary installation open Art Summit

A modern Wayang (shadow puppet) performance and an intriguing culinary installation will kick off Art Summit Indonesia (ASI) 2007 on Thursday evening.

"The Wayang troupe from Bali and the La Cellule troupe from France will give us the honor of performing on the first night of the ASI 2007," summit spokesman Yusuf Susilo Hartono said Wednesday.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Graha Bakti Budaya hall, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM).

Deguste, the La Cellule's installation, will entertain the ceremony's guests upon their arrival. Curated by Laurence Dreyfus, Deguste is an esthetic fusion between gastronomy and art.

Hartono refused to reveal the details of Deguste, but he hinted that the installation would involve floating balloons and delicious chocolate.

"It is a savory art work, which will spoil your sight as well as your taste buds," he said.

After Deguste, Trade Minister Maria E Pangestu will officially open the cultural fiesta, accompanied by Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Watjik.

"On Friday, Trade Minister Maria E Pangestu will be a speaker at the ASI 2007 seminar titled Behind the Cultural Industry. That's the reason why ASI 2007 will be opened by a trade minister," Hartono said.

Prominent Indonesian poet and senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad will be the seminar's keynote speaker.

Following the opening ceremony, I Made Sidia, one of Bali's most accomplished shadow puppeteers, will perform Petualangan Tualen (The Adventure of Tualen), a modern adaptation of the epic Hindu story the Ramayana.

Sidia is known for his penchant for incorporating modern elements such as multiple screens, disco lights, projectors and computer-based images to improve the visual appeal of his shows, but it is his daring interpretations of ancient stories that have won him huge audiences in Indonesia and abroad.

"I love giving an old story a contextual frame of modernity. That's why present-day problems and phenomenons, such as economic inequalities and environmental destruction, have became integral parts of my narration," Sidia said.

The month-long cultural festival will feature 14 performances by 13 troupes from 11 countries. It will take place at three venues; TIM, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and the Goethe Institute.

Among the participants are the Orchestra of Indigenous Instruments and New Technology (Argentine), El Hanager (Egypt), A-Soon Dance Company (Korea), and Ensemble Omega (Germany).

"Ensemble Omega will feature collaborative works from Indonesian and German composers. These works will underline ASI 2007's major theme of To Join Diversity," Hartono said.

ASI is held every three years. Fifteen groups from nine countries participated in the first ASI in 1995. The second one was followed by 15 groups from eight countries, while the third ASI saw 17 groups from ten countries. The fourth ASI in 2004 was participated by 15 performing artists from ten countries and 25 visual artists from six countries.

2007 Art Summit program:

Buffet Flottant, La Cellule
Nov. 1
Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Wayang Listrik (Electric Puppet), I Made Sidia
Nov. 1-2
Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Diez y Diez Danza, Monica Runde,
Nov. 6-7
Jakarta Playhouse

Ensemble Omega & Bernd Asmus
Mov. 7-8
Goethe Institute

The Arts Fission CO, Angela Liong
Nov. 9-10
Teater Studio, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Argentine National Music Council
Orchestra of Indigenous Instruments and New Technology
Nov. 13-14
Teater Luwes, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Butet Kertarajasa
Nov. 13-14
Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki

El Hanager, Mohammad Abou El Soud
Nov. 14-15
Jakarta Playhouse

Astad Deboo and Manipuri Dance Troupe
Nov. 16-17
Teater Luwes, Taman Ismail Marzuki

New Zealand Trio and Jack Body
Nov. 19-20
Teater Luwes, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Dorky Park & Constanza Macras
Nov. 22-23
Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Jecko Siompo
Nov. 26-27
Teater Studio, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Kobalt Works & Arco Renz
Nov. 27-28
Teater Luwes, Taman Ismail Marzuki

A Soon Dance Company
Nov. 29-30
Graha Bakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki

Tickets from Rp 20,000 to Rp 100,000 available at ticket booths.

For further information: www.artsummitindonesia.com

Source: The Jakarta Post