A BOTANICAL SHOW
In an age of instant everything, Pencelupan / Immersion invites audiences to slow down and step into a botanical world where nothing is quite what it first seems.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE GENEVIEVE GORMAN DEANE
PREMIERING AS PART of Darwin Festival, this cross-cultural immersive dance and live music performance unfolds, inviting audiences into the hidden botanical stories of one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary artistic traditions, rarely seen outside of Indonesia.
Produced by Sahul & Sunda Arts, this performance is choreographed and performed by Australian-Indonesian dancer Alfira O’Sullivan, with original live music by Javanese composer Cahwati. It features community dancers from Darwin’s Indonesian diaspora alongside visiting Rifa'iyah batik artists Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati and Ibu Nandiroah from Batang, Indonesia.
Artist Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati says this experience has meant so much for her.
“I am so grateful to God that I’ve been invited to Australia. It’s not something I would have imagined in my wildest dreams,” she says.
“I feel so honoured to be sharing our art with another part of the world. I am grateful to my son, Rully, who has used his talents and the educational opportunities I never had to help me connect with others and to champion our work to outsiders.”
Choreographer and performer Alfira O'Sullivan leads the production, weaving movements inspired by the rhythm, symbolism and craftsmanship of batik.
"As a movement artist, I don't need words to tell a story. I embody the stories I want to share," O'Sullivan says.
"In Pencelupan I wanted to create a genuine journey, for both my dancers and the audience that weaves the themes of Rifa'iyah batik motifs directly into the body through movement so that there is a conversation between the batik cloth in the exhibition and the choreography in the performance."
Mulyati says she hopes audiences gain an appreciation for how much patience, persistence and dedication is required to produce batik Rifa’yah, and how different it is from printed textile.
“We spend months creating each work. We fill every part of the textile with tiny motifs inspired by nature,” she says.
“This intense detail is what makes our batik different from other kinds. I hope they also gain an appreciation of how rich and varied batik Rifa’iyah is. We have countless motifs and even I am still learning some of the ancient ones that few people make now.
“Each one has its own story, its own inspiration, reflecting our environment and our beliefs. Personally, I believe these stories carry over to the wearer – we heal from the healing motifs. We’re reminded to share the motifs about spreading good fortune, and we’re reminded to be sweet and graceful by the pandan with its delicious aroma.”
Hands-on Botanical Batik Workshops offer participants the chance to learn directly from visiting artists Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati and Ibu Nandiroh. For those wanting to delve even deeper, a documentary screening and artist Q&A at MAGNT provides further insight into the Rifa'iyah community, while Batik Rifa’iyah: Be Immersed exhibition is on display.
Pencelupan / Immersion
WHEN FRI 21 – SUN 23 AUG 5.30PM
AT GEORGE BROWN BOTANIC GARDENS
COST $28-$36
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Relawati Screening and Q&ATHU 20 AUG, 5.30PM, MAGNT, FREE
