{"id":1848,"date":"2015-08-09T05:09:54","date_gmt":"2015-08-09T05:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oongmaryonopencaksilataward.org\/?p=1848"},"modified":"2015-10-18T11:14:37","modified_gmt":"2015-10-18T11:14:37","slug":"capturing-the-essence-of-pencak-silat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/oongmaryonopencaksilataward.org\/id\/english-capturing-the-essence-of-pencak-silat","title":{"rendered":"Capturing the Essence of Pencak Silat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sorry, this entry is only available in Inggris (A.s.)<\/a>. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.<\/p>

Jakarta<\/strong>. The abstract figures engaged the viewer with their vigorous motions, outstretched arms and the upraised martial arts posture of their legs. Titled \u201cTarian Silat<\/em> 1 \u2014 4,\u201d the fiberglass sculptures by eminent Indonesian sculptor Dolorosa Sinaga deftly caught the aesthetics of the age old Indonesian martial art of pencak silat,<\/em> as the essence of their movement more than made up for their seemingly crude lack of finish.<\/p>\n

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The exhibition shows a fresh angle to the traditional aspects of pencak silat, an Indonesian form of martial arts. (The Peak Photo\/Tunggul Wirajuda)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI based the sculptures on the movements of pencak silat students that I saw firsthand at their training center at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah cultural park,\u201d\u00a0 says the 62 year old. \u201cI opted to portray them in a crude, \u2018unfinished\u2019 manner, as it captures their raw energy. This contrasts with some sculptures I saw in Yogyakarta that were more true to form, yet sacrificed something of the vigor and energy that defines pencak silat,”<\/p>\n

Her take on other pencak silat sculptures, such as \u201cJurus Bangau<\/em>\u201d (“The Crane Position”) and \u201cJurus Latak Bumi<\/em>\u201d (“The Essence of the Earth”) portrayed something of pencak silat\u2019s universal appeal, as epitomized by the highly acclaimed \u201cThe Raid\u201d action movie franchise.<\/p>\n

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The former\u2019s name and stance reflect its close relations with the kung fu stance of the same name, while the latter alludes to pencak silat\u2019s origins on Indonesian soil.<\/p>\n

Dolorosa\u2019s art are among theworks featured in \u201cEkspresi Keindahan Rasa Dan Bentuk Dalam Gerak Silat<\/em>\u201d (“Expressing the Beauty of Feelings and Form in [Pencak] Silat Movements”). The exhibition at the Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center features the works of 27 Indonesian sculptors and their take on pencak silat, specifically as propagated by late pencak silat master O\u2019ong Maryono.<\/p>\n

Held at the Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center in Cikini, Central Jakarta, the exhibition is organized by the O\u2019ong Maryono Award, an initiative created by his widow Rosalia Sciortino Sumaryono and the Indonesia For Humanity NGO to raise awareness of pencak silat.<\/p>\n

Sciortino says the exhibition aims to highlight the martial art\u2019s more aesthetic side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPencak silat has long been known as a martial art, so its creative potential to inspire art has never been fully explored. The sculpture exhibition has similar aims, namely to highlight its aesthetic aspects,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn pencak silat there are elements of motion, shape as well as feelings and emotions. Pencak silat has varied moves, as the whole body is a solid structure that is a harmonious combination of strength and movement,”<\/p>\n

Yogyakarta based sculptor Dunadi dramatically captured this precept with his tin structure \u201cFlying Kick.\u201d \u00a0A staple of action movies from the late Bruce Lee\u2019s \u201cEnter the Dragon\u201d to innumerable action vehicles starring the likes of Jean Claude Van Damme and Jackie Chan, the sculpture recaptured the moment when the figure in midair launched the move.<\/p>\n

The grace and natural symmetry of the move and the interaction between the two figures reflects the 55 year old\u2019s good understanding of pencak silat and motion. Fellow sculptor Johan Abe showed a similarly eye for motion with his work \u201cMembela Diri<\/em>\u201d (“Defending Ourselves”), which is all the more remarkable due to his tender age of eight. Made of fiber glass, the sculpture prodigy\u2019s forthright style reflects pencak silat\u2019s direct, decisive and fluid moves and the a childlike guilelessness.<\/p>\n

The sculptors recaptured the more ritualistic aspects of pencak silat with equal vigor, among them Martopo Waluyono through his work \u201cPencak.\u201d The 58-year-old made the resin structure a juxtaposition of pencak styles. The open armed gesture of the figure in the defensive shows the flowing motions that pencak silat is renowned for, while the second figure\u2019s fist shows the forceful offensive movements that can stop opponents in their tracks. In between the two, another figure is set to fall on his back, reflecting what happens to those unfortunate enough to feel the brunt of both moves.<\/p>\n

National University of Jakarta student Galang Aldinur Masabi combines a similar eye for pencak silat\u2019s stylized moves and a fad for action figures with his resin and mixed media figurine \u201cOptimis<\/em>\u201d (“Optimist”). The movement and title reflects pencak silat\u2019s assertive and upbeat side, which is an integral, if often overlooked part of the sport.<\/p>\n

Budi Santoso\u2019s \u201cPencak Silat Kids\u201d shows the sport\u2019s way of developing talent from a young age. It also shows its practitioners\u2019 determination to keep the sport alive through the next generation, even as it vies for their attention, hearts and minds with the inroads of globalization.<\/p>\n

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