Our Indonesian friends from Bandung, Solo and Surabaya came to Jatiwangi as well. From Bandung - Heru, Bowo, Mukti, Frino, Argus, Ismal, Shinta, Carda, Bagus, Faizur, Angga and Soge. From Solo - Dani and Ganjar and from Surabaya - Ilham and Wukir. Sharom and Sophian came from Macau to Jatiwangi too:) Had a magical time during Angie's 'The Masak Masak Show' and had so much fun flying kites with Ahmad, Erzan and the kids at the rice fields. Had an excellent time! Was so nice to see everyone there again.
Ginggi and Arief from Jatiwangi Art Factory are two brothers I have grown close to lately. Their family are the most kind, good, gentle mannered loving people I've met. As the head of the villages in Jatiwangi, Ginggi has high hopes and dreams of seeing his community go far. He's concerned with issues facing his community and works hard in establishing JAF at his roof tile factory and supporting its activities (workshops, events and discussions) to raise understanding, creativity and awareness to the people in his community and . For 2 years, Arief has triggered and sustained my interest in JAF.
I fell in love with Jatiwangi after getting involved in Jatiwangi Arts festival as the event curator, working alongside with co-curator Heru Hikayat who has now become a close and dear friend. I met Heru' friends like Ari, Bowo, Frino and Ramdan at JAF'08 and am deeply grattified for the new friendships made. They came to Jatiwangi and continue to give support to JAF. There are people who wonder why do i always spend my time in Jatiwangi, what is there that is so special? What do i do there? They never know until they go there and experience for themselves what Jatiwangi is really about. I can only tell them my experience..more like stories from my journeys.
Being in Jatiwangi makes me feel free and happy. My friends (people at JAF) make me feel at home whenever i visit them. They're down to earth, kind, respectful, genuine and generous. They are optimistic and open, welcoming and hospitable. Being at JAF is really an experience! (words can't describe). It gives me inspiration, direction and full of hope to pursue my dreams (including my hope and dream for the future of Jatiwangi)
Like Dr. S.Husin Ali said in his book 'The Malays: Their Problems and Future'; 'Let us all make sure that they will be able to proceed along with the right path towards progress and freedom from imperialism, exploitation, poverty, corruption and injustice'
Those who have gone to Jatiwangi have come back and will always return!
Whilst being in Indonsia, I got to spend some time with Stew, Dugal, ibu Lilis and Ari in Jakarta. Feel rather sad for Stew having to leave Indonesia. Will miss the house in Kemang, the tortoises in the garden, ibu Lilis and Kusmono ;( I got more paintings framed at Toraya. I sorted all my stuff at Stewart's before I left for Jatiwangi and picked them up before i returned to Singapore.
1-6 June 2009
Noora, Rizal, Kai and me organised '64 Streaming' at Post Museum on the 4th of June. We worked with Suzon who coordinated Tang Man Tango live web streaming on the internet.
7 - 8 June 2009
Stew arrived Sing at 5ish. We met up with Charles, Marina, Felix and Luca at Sam's place. Sam and Chris cooked dinner for us. Had a great tiem catching up with all of them. On Monday the 8th, Stew and I had lunch at Tanglin Shopping Centre after his appointment with his dentist. We then walked to Takashimaya after lunch. Around 3ish, I went to Ranger's place and we worked on ideas for TAV's Drawing show.
9 - 13 June 2009
Stew and I left Singapore for Jakarta mid day and arrived Jakarta around 3ish. We met Dugal at home in Kemang. Hung out by the pool chatting ad drinking before we went to bed around midnight. On Wednesday 10th, Stew took me to Toraya framers to get more of my sky pics framed. We went to Hero after to get groceries. I made Ox tail soup for dinner. Had dinner with Octa and Dugal.
Ahmad and Erzan arrived Jakarta on Friday 12th June evening. They got stuck in traffic for 2 hours before we met up at Pasar Raya. Went to get train tickets from Gambir station for Sunday morning before i went over to Pasar Raya. Traffic in Jakarta is usually quite bad on Fridays. Had dinner (Octa and I made instant noodles) with them, Dugal and Stewart by the pool.
Got up early in the morning of 13th June. Only had 4 hours sleep. I found ibu Lilis in her room looking rather sad. She was looking at a photo that I had given her. I gave her an A4 size picture of Stew and I that was taken by Findlay many years ago. Ibu told me that she's going to get the picture framed and told me not to forget her. I will miss ibu Lilis very much. She's such a sweet, kind and wonderful woman with a big heart.
Ahmad and Erzan went to Plaza Indonesia and Gallery Nasional around 9ish. Stew went to the office to print documents. He got groceries and made me cook Oxtail soup again. Angie arrived Stewart's around 7ish. Ahmad and Erzan came after. We all hung out in the balcony, had dinner and chatted til late. Stew went out with Dugal for a bit.
14 June - 16 June 2009
Angie, Ahmad, Erzan and I left Stewart's for Gambir around 9ish. We boarded the 11am train to Ceribon and arrived at our destination around 2ish. Vedi, Arief and Adanya came to meet us.
JAF looks a little different than the last time I was there. There's a new space sort of like a sitting area beside the roof tile factory. Nice space! Genting Genting Percussion did a little performance for us at JAF gallery.
Mukti came to Jatiwangi on the 15th. Hung out at JAF listening to Mukti and Angie sing.
On the 15th of June, Angie went to Jatisura elementary school visit to brief the kids on her project 'The Masak Masak Show'.
I didn't go to Cassey's opening at Cemeti in Yogja on the 16th of June. I decided not to as i felt i had to stay for the sake of Ahmad, Angie and Erzan. I had a responsibility of coordinating their residency at JAF and felt that i should not leave them on their own.
17 June - 22 June 2009
Stew celebrated his birthday with Dugal, Octa Lily and Farquar in Jakarta while I was in Jatiwangi. In Jatiwangi, Angie went with the kids to the street market early morning. Angie, Ahmad and Erzan conducted their workshops at JAF gallery.
Bowo, Ahmad, Erzan, Arief and I went to a Sugar Factory at Jatitujuh. On our way to the factory, we stopped by at a school in Jatitujuh to surprise Arief's friend Putu. We also met up with an old school mate of Arief whom he had not met for 20 years. We then went to the sugar factory and after to the sugar cane plantation in Jatitujuh. Angie left with Heru and Mukti to Bandung that morning. Shame she missed all the fun we had with the kids that day! Around mid day, Ahmad, Erzan and I went to fly kites at the rice fields with the kids who participated in their workshop. Our friends Yaya, Sigit, Peyet, Bowo, Mas An, Arief, Dani etc joined in too.
I had instructed Sigit and Peyet to make 3 big size kites. We tested them and Sigit's kite managed to fly. Was wonderful to see so many kites in the sky. What a wonderful feeling! Ooh la la! ;-)
See 'Topeng'; video of workshop by Ahmad and Erzan
Around 8ish, Ganjar performed with friends from Jatiwangi (Tedi, Rizal, Putu) at JAF. Dani gave a talk about his work and collaboration with Ganjar. That night Bowo and me hung out at Ginggi's chatting away til 5ish.
On 19th June, Ahmad, Erzan and I followed Bowo in his car to Bandung. The clouds in the sky in Bandung was amazing!
We met Angie at Warung Indung after we arrived. Angie, Ahmad, Erzan and I stayed in a little self contained cottage owned by an artist from Bandung. Heru, Bowo, Frino, Ahmad, Erzan, Angie and I went to a cafe in town for drinks.
On 20th June, Heru took Ahmad, Erzan, Angie and I to Tobucil, Common Room, Selasar Sunaryo and ITB. That evening we had dinner at Ramdan's cafe with . Angie fell sick that evening.
On 21st June, Bowo and Frino took Ahmad, Erzan and I to Pasar Minggu. Bought some kites from a sweet old timer called Abdul Hamid. We went to the musuem after and later to Tokoh Yuk for lunch. Ginggi and Ana came to Bandung with Ferry. Ahmad and Erzan left for Yogja that evening.
On 22nd June, Bowo drive Angie and I back to Jatiwangi. Bowo took us to JAF and later to Ginggi's. He drove back to Bandung that night.
23 June 2009
Mukti came to Jatiwangi with Shinta, Ismal, Bagus etc.
24 June 2009
Ana drove Angie and I to Ceribon train station. We got on the 10am train to Jakarta and checked into Alila. Went to Stewart's in Kemang to get my paintings. Angie and I went to Plaza Indonesia to have dinner. We went to back to the hotel and went to bed early. Stew went to Sydney on the 24th to celebrate John's birthday.
25 June 2009
Angie and I had breakfast early morning. Checked out of Alila around 12ish. We went to Gambir train station to get train tickets and then to Ari's work place at Standard Chartered to meet Ari. Had coffee with her before we went to Ambassador to get some stuff. I bought a webcam for Arief. We boarded the 5.10pm train to Ceribon. Arief and Ismal came to pick us up. Sharom and Yan arrived Jakarta airport around 6ish and took the airport coach to Bandung to meet Bowo.
26 June 2009
We went to JAF around 10am. Angie started prearing for her presentation at Balai Desa Jatisura. Met Ilham, Wukir, Kotax and his two other friends from Surabaya and Magelang. Sharon, Angga and Yan went for Friday prayers at a mosque nearby JAF. Angga, Bowo, Yan, Argus and I went to Ibu Osman's for lunch around 2ish.
Angie's 'The Masak Masak Show' started at Balai Desa Jatisura around 3ish. The show took place at the school's compound. I thought that the show was fabulous! The kids were just great;) We all had so much fun and laughter seeing the kids perform.
the chefs!
See video of 'The Masak Masak Show'
Ilham and Wukir performed in the roof tile factory around 8pm. Had a little discussion after. Ilham spoke about his performance tour in Indonesia.
Went back to Ginggi's and hung out til 3am chatting, eating, singing and laughing. I fell sick with slight fever and flu that night.
27 June 2009
Got up around 8ish. Bowo, Angga and Soge left for Bandung. Slept for another hour. Ilham and his mates came over later with Arief. Arief drove us to Jatiwangi around 12ish. Said goodbye to Arief's mun, Nita, Gea, Umi, Sigit, Peyet, Teddy, Kiki, Thian etc. Arrived Ceribon train station around 1ish. Boarded the 3pm train to Jakarta and arrived Jakarta around 6ish. We then took a cab to Ambhara Hotel. Had dinner that evening at Kemang. Went to bed around 10ish.
28 June 2009
Had breakfast around 9ish. Angie, Sharom and Yan went to Blok M. Later went to meet them at Pasar Raya. Had crepes and buns at the food court there. Around 3ish, I went to Kemang to get my luggage while the rest went to the airport. Met them at the airport around 4ish. They boarded their plane around 6ish. I boarded mine around 7ish.
photos by Juliana Yasin & Prabowo Setyadi
