Jakarta Globe, Nadia Bintoro, October 13, 2013
Ida Bagus Oka Wirjana’s impressive career has been commemorated in dance, words and pictures at a special program of events hosted by Bentara Budaya Bali. (JG Photo/Nadia Bintoro) |
A burning
flame sliced through the piercing darkness as the music started to pulsate. Our
eyes focused to reveal the torch bearing the flame, held by a shirtless man in
white pants. His sudden presence caught everyone off guard.
Coming from
backstage, he danced his way through the crowd of people who were patiently
waiting in front of the main atrium. His moves created havoc and confusion
among the spectators who thought the performance would be presented on the main
stage as is commonly done.
Instead, he
navigated his way through the front lawn of Bentara Budaya Bali, through the
trees, to the small bungalow at the side.
Like the
Pied Piper of Hamelin, he herded the expectant crowd to the first part of the
performance. There, five young men in all-white attire danced to the
instruction of a teacher. Together they depicted the first scene of a colossal
collaboration dance performance titled “The Journey of Life” as part of series
of events run in tribute to maestro Balinese dancer, Ida Bagus Oka Wirjana’s
75th Diamond Anniversary.
As the
event’s name suggests, 84-year-old Ida Bagus has spent 75 years dedicated to
Balinese dance and is most famous for his vivacity in dancing Tari Kebyar Duduk
— an intricate individual piece performed mainly from a seated position.
He has won
many awards and performed at many prestigious events including the presidential
palace as well as Europe, America, Japan, Pakistan, Hawaii and Sweden among
others.
He was
recently given the title of “Balinese Dance Maestro.”
As a
tribute to Ida Bagus’s 75 years dedication, Bentara Budaya Bali in
collaboration with Yayasan Tetamian Griya Blangsinga organized a special
program of events from Sept. 28 to Oct. 7.
The event
saw the maestro himself dance in a classical performance alongside his family
members and prominent names from the world of dance such as Ni Luh Menek from
Buleleng, Jro Puspawati and Ni Ketut Arini.
A special
art exhibition is also taking place in Bentara Budaya Bali during the period.
Organized
by the Lingkara PhotoArt Community, around 14 photographers presented their
works. Together they attempt to elevate the definition of photography into a
unique form of art.
Rather than
printing the photos on normal photo paper, the photographers rejoice in their
freedom to experiment in delivering the photographs in various other less
traditional media, such as suar wood, lenticular plastic, and canvas.
A series of
photographs printed on plastic by Indra Widi are paired with essays on the life
of Ida Bagus Blangsinga creating a transparent story book that is not only
pleasing on the eye, but provides context in savoring the artworks.
Other than
the photographs, sculptures by Serbian artist, Irina Perisic Bosnjak as well as
by Ida Bagus Alit and Carola Vooges are also showcased in the exhibition.
In addition
to the special tribute to Ida Bagus Blangsinga, other events being held at
Bentara Budaya facilities across Indonesia include “Wangsa Cirebon-Dermayu” at
Bentara Budaya Jakarta; “Giriloyo Batik: From Period to Period” at Bentara
Budaya Yogyakarta; and “Coastal Tegal’s Puppets” at Balai Soedjatmoko in Solo,
Central Java.
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