French choreographer and artistic director Abderzak Houmi has collaborated with four Indonesian dancers, Erwin Mardiansyah, Krisna Satya, Siska Aprisia, and Tazkia Hariny Nurfadlillah, for the performance, according to a statement received here on Friday.
The lighting design for the performance has been created by French artist Jean-Marie Lelièvre, it added.
Houmi selected Indonesian dancers from various regions since 2018 and prepared the production of Sikap in Bandung, West Java, the press release said. The collaboration was also supported by Institut Français Indonesia (IFI), it added.
The performance was inspired by the Indonesian word "sikap," Houmi said adding, the word was chosen as dance is not just a skill of movements, but also a reflection of dancers' attitude in stimulating the audience.
"Sikap (or attitude) is crucial in the lives of Indonesian people. It is my conclusion after studying and observing life in Indonesia," Houmi remarked.
Dancers from Indonesia arrived in France on December 22, 2021, and embarked on a tour, he said. They have so far performed Sikap 15 times in several major French cities, including Amboise, Troyes, Lillebonne, Orléans, Chinon, Joué-lès-Tours, and Vernouillet, he said.
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Meanwhile, deputy permanent delegate of the Republic of Indonesia to UNESCO, Ismunandar, said Sikap got an enthusiastic response and much appreciation from audiences. The audiences have watched the show with the strict implementation of the health protocols, he added.
Ismunandar lauded the creative collaboration and hoped that artist-to-artist relations would be developed in other branches.
"The choreography of Sikap showcased many Indonesian philosophies. For example, Pancasila is seen in the shape of a pentagon, (there is shown) the importance of attitude in life, and so on. This collaboration showed that people-to-people relation is a key component of diplomacy," he added.
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Translator: Indriani, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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