Festival Guide // Red and White: Creativity & Culture Part 2

By Rosie Clynes

Before you get started on today’s Festival Guide – Part 2 of our highlights from the Festival’s vast offering of all things Indonesian language, food, art and creativity – make sure you’ve read Part 1 first! If you’ve already had a taste of things to come, then read on for the rest of our tips on how to navigate the Festival’s bountiful offerings from across the archipelago.

CUSTOM, CULTURE AND CRAFT

The sacred art of offerings is inseparably woven into Balinese life – see for yourself as you spot Ubud’s little nests of palm leaf, flowers and incense dotted around streets, houses and shrines. Learn about this meditative skill and even make your own canang in Language of Offerings. If the striking and distinct patterns of batik have caught your eye during your Ubud wanderings, learn how to paint your own with batik artist I Nyoman Suradnya. You can also join a group of spirited young Yogyakartan graphic designers to learn how to make batik jumputan – a more modern, tie-dye-like twist on traditional batik.

EXHIBITIONS GALORE

It is no secret that Ubud is celebrated as Bali’s creative hub, and the Festival has an abundance of exciting contemporary Indonesian exhibitions (all free!). Highlights include a group exhibition of young Balinese artists fascinated by the abstract; a positively electric Yogyakartan-Balinese collaboration; a photographic exploration of the ancient architectural principles of Bali’s first peoples, the Bali Aga; a rare archival exhibition of Balinese music and film, and a team effort between a local mother, father and child. Check out our full list of exhibitions here. 

SPOTLIGHT ON FILM

Our free Film Program is open to all, and even includes some post-screening Q&As with the filmmakers or cast members. Set sail for the Mentawai Islands off West Sumatra with cultural activist Rob Henry; walk alongside beloved poet Widji Thukul in an award-winning biopic following the days before his disappearance; see the modern meet the ancient as the breaking of gender binaries is explored within Bugis storytelling; join Djenar Maesa Ayu and Kan Lumé in their provocative mockumentary challenging the normalization of violence against women; or share a steaming cup of coffee with two lovable Jakartan coffee connoisseurs and even catch one of them in the Q&A. Sidle up with some adorable Minions who, curiously enough, speak a smattering of Indonesian. Film buffs can’t miss Indonesian Culture/s on Film either – a deep look into the cultural diversity and specificity of Indonesian film with Film Studies pioneer David Hanan.

ELECTRIC AFTER DARK

As days full of discussions, workshops and cultural wanderings draw to an end, put on your dancing shoes and make your way over to our After Dark events. On 26 October we kick off with our Origins Fundraiser – an unmissable opportunity to see both the legendary Papermoon Puppet Theatre and Eko Supriyanto in action, two of Indonesia’s leading contemporary performing arts pioneers. All proceeds will be donated to communities affected by Mount Agung. On 27 October, we celebrate The Next Generation of Indonesian writers and creatives with a free night of music, poetry, film and readings from our Emerging Writers in their native dialects.

28 October takes us to a rocking free concert for social justice, featuring new Balinese groovers Pluto, the all-girl teen metal sensation Voice of Baceprot from West Java, and Antrabez, comprising inmates of Kerobokan Prison. And finally, to say sampai jumpa and wave goodbye to this year’s Festival, don’t miss our epic Closing Night Party, a night to celebrate and dance the night away with Festival friends both new and old.

Tickets to Workshops and events at The Kitchen can be purchased by clicking the Buy Ticket link on the individual event pages. For Main Program tickets click the button below.

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