International Cross-Cultural Exchange & Creation
Theatre Nomad, PEPADI Indonesian Society of Wayang Puppetry & Sanggar Paripurna
East meets West:
Bali Canada Collaboration
In association with Bouche Theatre Collective and The University of Saskatchewan
Conceived of by Jack Paterson, Made Georgiana Triwinadi, I. Nyoman Sedana, & I. Made Sidia
Joel Grinke, Jack Paterson, Deneh’Cho Thompson, & Vanka Salim.
Balinese Creative Ensemble Members:
Made Georgiana Triwinadi, Nyoman Atheny Pramasastra Dewi, Ni Wayan Sri Sarasmin, I Putu Agus Ananda Kusumajaya Putra, Ni Putu Nessa Shivana Pradnyani, Kadek Wileonanda Saputra, Ni Luh Putu Marselina Damayanti, I Putu Adika Aryasena, I Dewa Gede Padma Praba Kesuma, & I Gusti Putu Gede Sastrawan
Considered one of the longest uninterrupted performance traditions in the world, the Balinese traditional performing arts are unique, rich, and complex. Deeply embedded in Balinese spiritual life (Balinese Hinduism), virtually every form of music, dance, and drama has its origin in ritual, if not a ritual itself. Practices like Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry) reach back to 1500 BC.
This residency examined of what new is sparked when different cultural rivers come together in equal respect through creative exchange of knowledge and combining of practices.
Activities
Joel, Jack, Deneh’Cho, and Vanka collaborated with Balinese traditional performing artists, focusing on integrating new media and installation with Balinese Traditional Arts.
Exchange activities included:
Cultural Immersion
Fitting, activities began by witnessing Melasti – a rebirth ritual for individuals, community and objects (e.g. Barong puppet) – and culminated on Galungan – a major ceremony – with the Parpurna artists at the company Taksu shrine, the intangible source of Creativity.
We gained knowledge from noted Balinese leaders including the King of Ubud, I Wayan Dibia, I Nyoman Sedana, and I Made Sidia. To more fully understand the breadth of Balinese performance, we attended ceremonial ritual, traditional community performance, classical and contemporary presentations, and tourist events.
Including:
-Temple full moon ceremony (ritual Kecat, Legong, Mask & Trance);
-Household ceremonies (Topeng, Wayang, Legong, etc.)
-Gianyar Arts Festival (contemporary, intergenerational & transdisciplinary)
-Varuna (Safari Park)
And participated in Paripurna’s ongoing activities and new works development.
Workshops & Artistic Exchange
We researched & developed content by randomly combining Traditional forms, contemporary Balinese topics, & devised creation. The ensemble democratically determined the “how” of these practices to avoid appropriation.
Jack, Joel, and Vanka led a week-long collaboration with PEPADI & Sanggar Paripurna emerging artists, exploring media & devised creation (live stream, projection, interactive media & installation) and traditional Balinese practices (Barris, Barong, Legong, Gamelan, Wayang). This culminated in a public presentation of selected materials free for the public and with feedback from Balinese Artistic leaders.
Deneh’Cho conducted a design workshop with ISI Denpasar’s new Multi Media program, resulting in new ties between ISI, USask (wîcêhtowin), and FNUniv.
We joined together for a 3-day collaboration with Sanggar Paripurna Artistic Director I Made Sidia integrating 3D mapping & responsive software with puppetry, mask, dance, & gamelan.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Gallery
Artist Testimonials
Having the opportunity to be immersed in Balinese artistic culture has given me an opportunity to reflect on my own practice. The relationships and new ideas that built during our time will surely lead to future artistic collaborations and discoveries.
The opportunity to witness and participate in artistic exchange with Balinese masters was life changing. My artistic practice undoubtedly grew, but more importantly my artistic Raison D’Etre was transformed to include dynamic and community integrated thinking. As an artist and an educator I am already dreaming of future bilateral transpacific exchange programs that will generate more thoughtful and caring artistry through intentional and generative cross-cultural discourse and co-creation.
I’ve always known a bit about Balinese culture, being raised Indonesian and learning a bit of Balinese dancing when I was very young, but to be able to work closely with local dancers and musicians, to join their spaces, and to have the honour of being invited and participating in so many ceremonies and live performances was an incredible learning experience.
About
THE INDONESIAN SOCIETY OF WAYANG PUPPETRY – BALI (PEPADI)
We couldn’t ask for a better or more knowledgeable creative partners and hosts. THE INDONESIAN SOCIETY OF WAYANG PUPPETRY (PEPADI) is the Indonesian national organization of professional puppeteers, puppet makers and other specialty arts expertise (individuals and groups). Founded by General Surono in 1971, PEPADI’s mission is to preserve and develop the art as the supreme treasures of national culture, promote artistic and cultural discourse, enhance human dignity, developing the next generation of professional artists.
SANGGAR PARIPURNA & I MADE SIDIA
SANGGAR PARIPURNA was founded in 1990 by multi-talented artists from the village of Bona, Blahbatuh, and covers a wide range of arts, such as puppetry, puppet building and creation, percussion and music, dance, mask and the art making offerings, and more. Since it’s inception, the studio has been dedicated to the preservation, development and creation of art and culture of Bali. The company is an intergenerational with a special focus on community. www.sanggarparipurna.com.
I MADE SIDIA is an acclaimed innovator in the Balinese Performing Arts. He has collaborated with many national and international productions such as the “Theft of Sita” and has toured extensively across the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia. He is the co-creator and director of the tourist spectacle Bali Agung Show featuring 180 performers in a fusion Balinese and Western forms.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of:
