Gambuh Macbeth

The challenge in creating the Gambuh Macbeth was in bringing the two forms, gambuh theatre and Shakespearean drama together in a way that maintained the essence of both. In doing so, Arti Foundation’s musicians and dancers aimed to create a hybrid form that would to the modern audience.

“one may even claim that more than reworking Macbeth and presenting it as just another Asianised version, Arti Foundation has been able to bring the tragedy home, and indeed, assert ownership, making the text as much the Balinese as it is the Brit’s”.

 

-The Strait Times (Singapore)

Ritus Legong

As a dance-drama expressing the dynamics of life in the traditional agrarian society, the Ritus Legong was created to emphasize man’s relationship with nature. Happiness prevails in celebrating nature’s fertility, but simultaneously, they must live with it’s threats. The movements of the two legongs symbolizing the Dewi Sri, goddess of fertility, was inspired from the classical legong dance of Bali and is accompanied by music performed on the gamelan slonding.

Direction: Kadek Suardana
Choreography: Kadek Suardana, Nyoman Sura
Music: Kadek Suardana, Ketut Lanus

 

Tajen & Tajen II

A fantastic performance of dance and music with a little bit of kitch, the Tajen was first created in 2001 reflecting the situation in Indonesia where provocation resulted in conflict. After the bomb explosions of Kuta in October 2002, Tajen was performed in various venues throughout Bali with support from USAID.

Created in 2006, Tajen II also climaxes in a ‘cockfight’, but this time symbolizing conflict arising from the feeling of uncertainness experienced by the people of Indonesia. With a dream-like beginning, things get rough after the second part opens with a janger song. The music is a combination of ethnic instruments and more ‘high-tech’ instruments.