Articles tagged ‘Wayang’
Indonesians in Focus: Ki Purbo Asmoro
By Barrie | June 11th, 2008 |
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The warrior Bima circles his enemy. With a resounding bang of the gamelan, the fighter of ancient Javanese folklore spreads his arms and deals a final blow, vanquishing his opponent to death. On the spread of white cloth, the shadow of only one figure remains. The intensity of this shadow puppet, or wayang, scene being [...]
Wayang Wong Bharata
By Barrie | March 12th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
The vast archipelagic nation of Indonesia is blessed with a wealth of indigenous cultures that stretch across from Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam to Papua. So diverse and various is Indonesian culture that the national slogan Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — “Unity in Diversity” — is an apt reflection of this plurality. One art form that is part [...]
World Wayang Show a Highlight at the Bali Art Festival
By Barrie | March 2nd, 2008 | Add a Comment »
World “wayang” (puppet show) and ethnic music of the ASEAN region will highlight the 30th Bali Art Festival (PKB) from June 14 to July 12, 2008 in Denpasar. Positive response from overseas art workers has been given to the international wayang show which is to be the first of its kind in the Bali Art [...]
Klithik Puppet Show: Kudus, Central Java
By Barrie | February 23rd, 2008 | Add a Comment »
His voice was trembling and shaken, no longer clear like it used to be — but 76-year-old puppet master Ki Sumarlan was doing his best to entertain his audience. The puppet master was playing the fighting scene between Damarwulan, a warrior of the Majapahit kingdom, and Minakjinggo, the ruler of Blambangan. The fierceness of the [...]
The Year of Living Dangerously
By Barrie | February 4th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
The first time Indonesian characters appeared in an Australian-made film was 1982, in a landmark movie, The Year of Living Dangerously directed by Peter Weir. Incidentally, 25 years passed until Indonesian characters again appeared in an Aussie-made movie, 2007’s Lucky Miles.
Manuscript Exhibit at Sampoerna Gallery: Surabaya, East Java
By Barrie | April 23rd, 2007 | Add a Comment »
Legends in Java are steeped in mysticism. If you are visiting Surabaya at the moment then you will be able to see an excellent exhibition. The tale of Rahwana seeking Dewi Widowati is a fragment of a longer story contained in the Rama Sungging, an original picture manuscript now on display through May 13 [...]
Yogyanese Artist’s Perspective: Bali
By Barrie | April 12th, 2007 | Add a Comment »
For some unknown reason, after the fall of Soeharto, there was this artistic flurry and everywhere you looked in Yogyakarta there were artists displaying their works, on the streets and in galleries. From this mass artistic splurge there did emerge quite a few excellent artists. Yogyanese artists tend to have more expression and feeling [...]
UNESCO and Palembang Puppeteers: Sumatra
By Barrie | February 25th, 2007 | Add a Comment »
UNESCO has played many roles in the preservation of the wilderness on this planet as well as making vast areas heritage sites, but they have also made certain objects like buildings a heritage item. UNESCO is also renowned for their role in the preservation of culture.
Museums in West Jakarta
By Barrie | February 22nd, 2007 | Add a Comment »
Jakarta is such an interesting city and a great place to explore. Not only does the city have a great nightlife and restorans, it also has beautifully constructed and historical buildings scattered around the entire metropolis. It also has some of the finest museums on the island of Java.
Preserving Javanese Culture
By Barrie | January 29th, 2007 | Add a Comment »
Folk drama, wayang and other forms of performing arts in Java, are not, as many people would think, dying a slow death. On the contrary, the audiences and appreciation of the performing arts is on the increase.
