Perahu-Perahu to Premiere at OzAsia Festival

Stunning imagery and live music turn the traditional art form of ‘wayang kulit’ on its head in the world premiere of Perahu-Perahu at Adelaide’s OzAsia Festival from 27 October.

Indonesian-Australian artist Jumaadi shares his vision with our SA correspondent, Mark Wickett.

‘Perahu-Perahu’ means ‘boats’ in Indonesian, and this production explores the precarious relationship between humans and the sea using the ancient storytelling technique of shadow play.

“Although the performance is rooted in Javanese and Balinese traditions, it also draws from Chinese, Indian and Greek traditional and contemporary shadow performances” says the production’s principal artist, Jumaadi. In his career, he’s worked across a range of mediums, including drawing, painting, installation and performance.

For Perahu-Perahu, the shadow play is inspired by the history of travel across the waters separating Indonesia and Australia. “Boats are crucial transportation for humans, such as migrants, refugees, fishermen and many others – including those who depart but never arrive. And if they are transporting humans, they are also transporting memories, dreams, belonging, culture, sadness and love.”

“The emphasis is on the visuals, such as shapes, form and space in a way to construct the narrative – which comes from my imagination, then written and structured with (co-creator) Michael (Toisuta).”

Image: Jumaadi (right), with Michael Toisuta on the left.

Michael is an Indonesian-Australian sound designer and composer who grew up in Central Java but is now based in Sydney. As well as co-creating Perahu-Perahu with Jumaadi, he is also its musical director.

“The music is an integral part of the performance. It is a vessel that amplifies the emotions of the audience as they travel along with the shadows. The music sometimes leads and sometimes follows. If the shadow master brings the soul and life of the shadow with their body and their hands, then the music provides the oxygen.”

“Audiences can expect contemporary shadow and live music telling the story through both the shadow puppetry and the music that express the heartfelt feelings of joy, trauma, displacement, anxiety and love.”

“The performance will take you to a place and artform that potentially you would otherwise have never experienced before. The show invites you to appreciate the language of simplicity, collaborative energy of sharing and the beauty of light and shadow.”

Perahu-Perahu has its world premiere at the OzAsia Festival from 27 October for seven performances only in the Festival Centre’s Space Theatre. Tickets are available through the OzAsia Festival website.

Web-links:

OzAsia Festival: https://www.ozasiafestival.com.au/

Perahu-Perahu: https://www.ozasiafestival.com.au/events/perahu-perahu/