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Collaboration

Wayang Golek (Rod Puppet) – Marionette

(Indonesia – Myanmar)

By:

Martinus Miroto and Banjarmili Yogyakarta community

Proposed to Art Network Asia 2010

1.Objectives

The objectives of the collaboration of Rod Puppet and Marionette are:

• For mutual learning and development of puppetry

• To enhance understanding of Indonesia-Myanmar cultural relation

• To explore the performance with a new staging approach

• To show a creative and inspiring collaborative performance

• To provide an opportunity for the puppeteer from Myanmar to observe the making and performance of shadow puppets so that it may inspire the creation of shadow puppets in Myanmar

2.Description

Collaboration of Wayang Golek/Rod Puppet (Javanese and Sundanese) and Marionette (Myanmar) will combine two approaches of “staging space” andwill be united in a new “stage”. Rod Puppet is performed by manipulating the puppets from the lower space (earthbound) while Marionette is played by using strings manipulated from the top space (sky bound). Two of the “space” approaches will be explored to find a new “staging”. This collaboration will result in a performance that is unique, inspiring, and it will open up further exploration possibilities.

Collaborators in this project are the maestros, puppeteers from Myanmar Ma Ma Naing of, Mandalay Marionette Theatre (2 person), Ki Wawan Gunawan (Ajen Rod Puppet puppeteer), Ciamis, West Java, and Ki Nonot(puppeteer of Rod Puppet, Yogyakarta style) with creative music by Boedhie Pramono and stage design by Agus Lyloor.

Apart from the collaboration, the artists from Myanmar will conduct an observation on the making of shadow puppets based on marionette characters. This observation is very important to provide an inspiration to explore the possibilities to create shadow puppet in Myanmar based on the characters and stories in marionette.

3.Implementation

This project will be conducted in several phases:

• Idea Exchange:

Before the collaborators meet, we will develop cooperation, exchange ideas on the story that is going to be used through email, facebook and skype. An example of a base story is Ramayana. If the collaborators agree in using Ramayana story, several characters will be used in the collaboration, such as: Rama, Sita, Rawana, Hanoman, Jatayu, Giant, etc. The collaborators then can prepare a few characters that they want to bring in.

• Special Stage Preparation:

Before the start of the workshop, a stage with knock down system will be built. The stage will be designed according to the standards of Rod puppet stage and marionette stage. The stage will be fixed to provide comfort for the “meeting” of Rod puppet s and Marionette with a space for Marionette puppeteers on top, and Rod Puppet puppeteers at the bottom, fitted with pipes for screen, decoration and lighting purposes.

• Collaboration process:

Script writing: will be preceded by a discussion on the storyline which then story board or scenario with dialogues will be generated

Coreography: From story board or scenario, choreography and dialogues will be set up according the scenes that have been arranged

• Performance and Discussion :

Performance: Performance will be held at Banjarmili Studio followed by discussions between the collaborators and the audience. We will try to further perform at Indonesian France Institute (LIP) in Yogyakarta.

• Shadow Puppet Observation:

We will invite a shadow puppet artist to create two shadow puppets based on characters in Marionette. This process will start by drawing the characters and ends in the production of the shadow puppets. Collaborators from Myanmar will observe this process and watch a shadow puppet performance.

4.Time and Place

10 days, November 2011

• Staging
  The result of the collaboration will be performed at Banjarmili Studio with the capacity of 300 people, and in Indonesian France Institute with the capacity of 100 people.

• Discussion
  After the performance, there will be a discussion between the collaborators and the audience

• Documentation
  Collaboration process will be documented in video format and photos.

6.Audience

Collaboration performance of Marionette and Rod Puppet will attract the attention of audiences and media. Banjarmili Studio is experienced in organizing performances and festivals that draw the attention of the general public, whether in schools, out of town and even foreigners (community, students, teachers, artists, etc). Mass media will also cover this special event.

7.Publicity

Press conference will be conducted on the 4th day.

Information will be spread through : Radio, newspapers, Banner, posters, flyers, facebook and invitation.

8.Benefits

• For the collaborator

• Provide inspirations and cultural information

• Explore various staging possibilities with creative challenges

• Enrich the experience in puppetry

• Improve understanding of cultural relationship of both countries

• Perform a creative and inspiring show

• Introduce an educational show

• For the audience and general public

  • Have the opportunity to watch a creative, educative and inspiring show

  • Strengthen the understanding of cultural relationship of both countries

  • Strengthen the sense of brotherhood between the two nations
    
    
• Especially for the collaborators from Myanmar
  • Collaborators from Myanmar will have the opportunity to observe the making for shadow puppets which are based on characters In Marionette. They will also watch a shadow puppet show. This activity will provide them with inspirations and encourage the possibility of creating shadow puppet show based on the stories and characters in Marionette in Myanmar.