BORDERLESS WORLD

Srisasanti 2nd Anniversary Visual Art Exhibition

BORDERLESS WORLD

01-10 August 2009

Taman Budaya Yogyakarta

Jl. Sriwedari No. 1, Yogyakarta

Infront of 'Generation of Scream' Rizky Mora 2009, Pencil on Canvas, 200x180 cm.

Interesting artwork from Irawan Banuaji, 'Great Statement' 2009, Oil on Canvas, 190x140 cm.

Excellent monoprint artwork by Ariswan Adhitama,
'Ending of Every Movement' 2009; Ink Print, Acrylic, Spray and Paint on Canvas, 190x190 cm.

Infront of 'Deep Spirit' by Putu Wirantawan, 2009, Pencil on Paper, 137x205 cm (2 panels)

Indieguerillaz - and their interpretation of Shiva 'A Fraud Against Beaux Art Presented in Analog', 2009, Acrylic on Canvas, 200x200 cm.

EKSODUS BINATANG

'EKSODUS BINATANG'

VISUAL ART SOLO EXHIBITION

BY I MADE WIRADANA

Srisasanti Gallery, Jl. Palagan No. 52A, Yogyakarta 55581, Indonesia.

Fery, Devie, Icha, Woro and Yustin.

'Trio Kirik' the master of ceremony.

Exhibition officiated by Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra (left).

Give Me Big Hug... (Heddy and Wiradana).

The exhibition atmosphere.

Please do not touch the artwork...

Any familiar face?

Several artworks...

Detail of 'Kutu Buku'.

Detail of Eksodus Binatang.

Seasons Greetings from Yogyakarta

It's been quite a long time since my last article. It's time for me to:

WISH YOU

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Yogyakarta Tour Tips

RECOMMENDED VACATION TOUR
TIME (WIB/WEST INDONESIA TIME) -> SCHEDULE

LESS THAN 1 DAY TOUR

06:00 - 07:30 Arrival with train or other land vehicles. Finish breakfast and other preparations at the fast services restaurant (Gudeg or Padang restaurants). Arrival with plane from Jakarta should confirm his ticket at the airline counter desk in Adisucipto Airport.

08:00 - 09:30 Visit Kraton Yogyakarta.

09:00 - 10:30 Visit Museum Sonobudoyo.

10:30 - 11:30 Visit Taman Sari including the batik artist around.

11:30 - 14:00 Visit Prambanan Monument & other monuments around. Eat lunch in the journey.

14:00 - 17:30 Check your flight or train schedule. If your next flight is the Garuda Airlines to Jakarta or Bali around 15:00, then you should go directly to the airport. If possible you may visit Borobudur Monument, including Mendut and Pawon monuments.

TWO DAYS AND ONE NIGHT TOUR

DAY 1

07:30 - 08:30 Arrival in Yogyakarta with plane, train or other land vehicles. Go directly to the booked hotel, check in and eat breakfast.

08:30 - 10:00 Visit Kraton Yogyakarta.

10:00 - 10:30 Visit Museum Sonobudoyo.

10:30 - 11:30 Visit Taman Sari including the batik artist around.

11:30 - 13:00 Visit Prambanan Monument & other monuments around.

13:00 - 15:30 Visit the Kraton Ratu Boko and Banyunibo Monument.

15:30 - 17:00 Returns to hotel, rest and preparation for the night tour.

17:00 - 20:00 Free tour or eat dinner.

20:00 - 22:00 Watch the Ramayana art performance at Taman Hiburan Rakyat Sasono Suko or Dalem Pujokusuman.

22:00 - 23:00 Eat supper at Malioboro or free tour, return to hotel and rest.

DAY 2

08:00 - 10:00 Preparation, eat breakfast, check out from hotel.

10:00 - 13:30 Visit monuments Mendut, Pawon and Borobudur, eat lunch.

13:30 - 15:00 Check your flight or train schedule. Visit art village at Yogyakarta - Solo province road on the way to the airport. Remember to always check your time. If you leave Yogyakarta by land transportation, visit Kotagede to shop silver souvenirs, watch or learn the silver-crafting.

15:00 - 17:00 Visit Gedongkiwo to watch Wayang Kulit performance at Agatsya organization.

17:00 - 17:15 Go to the Tugu Station directly if your train leave Yogyakarta around 18:00.

17:00 - 20:00 If you take the night bus to Surabaya or other cities eastward of Yogyakarta, may spend time to visit batik and leather producer or just hanging around at Malioboro. The night bus to Surabaya will depart at 20:00.

THREE DAYS UP TO ONE WEEK TOUR.

You will have enough time to visit most places in Yogyakarta. Feel free to write me for travel / accomodation tips.

Parangtritis and Glagah Beach

Glagah beach, located in the Bantul Regency - about 45 kilometres from Yogyakarta.

Parangtritis beach, located in the Bantul Regency too, since the Bantul Regency's territory is the southern side of Yogyakarta which border is the Hindia Ocean. It takes about 1 hour (approximately 35 kilometers from Yogyakarta).

Malioboro

Malioboro or Jln. Malioboro (Jalan Malioboro, Malioboro street) is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the name is also used more generally for the neighborhood around the street. It runs north from the Yogyakarta kraton (palace) towards the roads that lead to either Surakarta to the east or Magelang to the north, as well as Mount Merapi. This is in itself is significant to many of the local population, the north south orientation between the palace and the volcano being of importance.

The street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling varieties of goods. In the evening several open-air street-side food-stalls, called lesehan (eat while sitting on the floor), operate along the street.

Less obvious to the tourist, but more for the local population, side streets, lanes and structures that lead on to Malioboro are as important as the street itself.

The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends. The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.

For many years in the 1980s and later, a cigarette advertisement was placed on the first building south of the railway line - or effectively the last building on Malioboro, which advertised Marlboro cigarettes, no doubt appealing to locals and foreigners who would see a pun with name of the street with a foreign product being advertised.

It does not reach the walls or grounds of the Yogyakarta palace, as Malioboro ceases in name adjacent to the very large market Beringharjo (on the eastern side as well). From this point the street changes name and has on the western side the former Governors residence, and on the eastern side the old Dutch Fort Vredenburg.

Source: Wikipedia

Note: All photographs were taken in the morning around 06:00 am. Not many people right? But it is an exception - at the working hours and night, Malioboro is usually full of peoples.

Yogyakarta

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, or DIY), is the smallest province of Indonesia (excluding Jakarta). It is located on the island of Java. It is the only province in Indonesia that is still formally governed by a pre-colonial Sultanate, the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. In English it is pronounced /ˌdʒoʊgdʒəˈkɑrtə/, which derives from its Dutch spelling Jogjakarta. In Javanese (and Dutch) it is pronounced [jogjaˈkartɔ].

The city of Yogyakarta is the capital of the province. Yogyakarta is located in south-central Java. It is surrounded by the province of Central Java (Jawa Tengah) and the Indian Ocean in the south. The city is located at 7°47′S, 110°22′E. The population of DIY in 2003 was approximately 3,000,000. The province of Yogyakarta has a total area of 3,185.80 km². Yogyakarta has the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. However it has, along with adjacent areas in Central Java, some of the highest population densities of Java.

Yogyakarta province is administratively subdivided into four regencies (kabupaten) and one city (kota): Bantul Regency (506.86 km²), Gunung Kidul Regency (1,485.36 km²), Kulon Progo Regency (586.27 km²), Sleman Regency (574.82 km²) and Yogyakarta City (32.5 km²).

Yogyakarta (city) is located within the Yogyakarta province, Yogyakarta city is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also famous as a center for Indonesian higher education. At Yogyakarta's center is the kraton, or Sultan's palace. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate, formally the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, was formed in February 13, 1755 when the existing Sultanate of Mataram was divided by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in two under the Treaty of Giyanti. This treaty states that the Sultanate of Mataram was to be divided into the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat with Yogyakarta as the capital and mentioned Pangeran Mangkubumi who became Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as its Sultan with the title of Sultan Hamengkubuwono Senapati Ingalaga Abdul Rakhman Sayidin Panatagama Khalifatullah (The Carrier of the Universe, Chief Warrior, God's Servant, Cleric and Caliph that Safeguards the Religion); and the Sultanate of Surakarta Hadiningrat with Surakarta as the capital and Pakubuwono III who was the ruler of the Sultanate of Mataram as its Sultan. The Sultan Hamengkubuwono I spent the next 37 years building the new capital, with the Kraton as the centerpiece and the court at Surakarta as the blueprint model. By the time he died in 1792, his territory exceeded Surakarta's.

The ruler Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX (April 12, 1912 - 1988) held a degree from the Dutch Leiden University, and held for a time the largely ceremonial position of Vice-President of Indonesia, in recognition of his status, as well as Minister of Finance and Minister of Defense. In support of Indonesia declaring independence from the Dutch and Japanese occupation, in September 5, 1945, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogya and Sri Paku Alam VIII in Yogya declared their sultanates to be part of the Republic of Indonesia. In return for this unfailing support, a law was passed in 1950, in which Yogyakarta was granted the status of province Daerah Istimewa (Special Region Province), with special status that recognizes the power of the Sultan in his own region's domestic affairs. Hence Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX was appointed as the governor for life. During the Indonesian National Revolution against the Dutch after World War II (1945-1950), the capital of the newly-declared Indonesian republic was temporarily moved to Yogyakarta when the Dutch reoccupied Jakarta from January 1946 until August 1950.

The current ruler of Yogyakarta is his son, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, who holds a law degree from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Upon the elder sultan's death, the position of governor, according to the agreement with Indonesia, was to pass to his heir. However, the central government at that time insisted on an election. In 1998, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X was elected as governor by the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD) of Yogyakarta, defying the will of the central government. He remains the only governor in Java without a military background: "I may be a sultan," he has been quoted in Asia Week as saying, "but is it not possible for me to also be a democrat?"

The principal residence of the sultan is the kraton (palace), sometimes called the Yogyakarta Kraton but more properly known as Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.

Style and titles of Immediate Family Members of Yogyakarta Sultanate:
Garwa Padmi (The Queen) : Gusti Kanjeng Ratu.

Garwa Ampeyan (Concubines) : Kanjeng Raden Ayu.

Putra Mahkota (Crown Prince) : Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Anom.

Son / Daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Padmi : Gusti Raden Mas/Gusti Raden Ajeng.

Son / Daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Ampeyan : Bendara Raden Mas/Bendara Raden Ajeng. Son of the Sultan (prior to his initiation as Crown Prince) : Gusti Bendara Pangeran Haryo (GBPH). First daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Padmi : Sekarkedhaton .

Second daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Padmi : Sekartaji.

Third daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Padmi : Candrakirana.

First son of the Sultan from Garwa Ampeyan: Bendara Raden Mas Gusti, after marriage his title changes into Gusti Pangeran.

First daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Ampeyan: Bendoro Raden Ajeng Gusti, after marriage her title changes into Pembayun.

Oldest daughter of the Sultan from Garwa Ampeyan: Kanjeng Ratu.

Titles of Extended Family Members and the Descendants:
Male family members of second to fourth generations: Raden Mas, after marriage the title changes into Raden or Raden Tumenggung .

Female family members of second to fourth generations: Raden Ajeng, after marriage the title changes into Raden Ayu.

Male family members of fifth and subsequent generations: Raden Bagus, after marriage the title changes into Raden.

Female family members of fifth and subsequent generations: Raden Roro, after marriage the title changes into Raden or Raden Nganten.

Title that is bestowed upon and cannot be passed on to the next generation: Male: Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo.

The province of Yogyakarta bore the brunt of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006 which killed 5,782 people and left some 36,299 persons injured. More than 135,000 houses are damaged, and 600,000 people are homeless. The earthquake extensively damaged the local region of Bantul, and its surrounding hinterland. The most significant number of deaths occurred in this region.

The coincidence of the recent eruption of Mount Merapi, and the earthquake would not be lost on the older and more superstitious Javanese - as such natural phenomena are given considerable import within their understanding of the spiritual aspect of such events.

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and has signed a sister relationship agreement with Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, and California, United States.

Source: Wikipedia

Visit Yogyakarta by Train

One of the cheaper and enjoyable ways to visit Yogyakarta from Jakarta is to take the train and it is strongly suggested if this is your first trip to Yogyakarta. You may experience local traveler atmosphere. And if you take the morning train, you may see some beautiful views and some of uncovered views as well. :)

Principally there are two choices: the Executive class (air conditioned) and the Business class (fan only). Traveling from Jakarta to Yogyakarta needs approximately 8 hours, so you'll eat in the train. Food is provided free, but it tasted uhmm... not preferable if you are able to spend more.

The train attendants will offer you some drink or newspaper - but remember, it's absolutely not free. You should especially pay attention if the train attendant asked you whether you want a steak of fried rice.

Usually if this is the passenger first train trip, then (s)he will take the meal. BUT as I told you, it is not free. The free meal is offered about 30 - 45 minutes later. And the free meal is plain rice with fried egg and few local vegetable, which actually eatable but not tasting good. The steak or fried rice tasted much better but it will cost you about Rp 20,000 (twenty thousand rupiahs) per portion.

My suggestion: Always ask if the train attendants offer you something, is it free or how much it will cost you. May be the sum you pay is nothing comparing with your wealth, but the feeling of being cheated is always awful, and I can tell you this because I'd experienced that once. LOL

Below is the Train Schedule from Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta Tugu Station 0274-589685

Destination Jakarta

Train/Departure/Arrival

Fajar Utama 08:00/16:20

Argo Lawu 08:53/15:58

Taksaka Pagi 10:00/18:17

Senja Utama YK 18:15/03:12

Senja Utama Solo 19:00/03:37

Taksaka Malam 20:00/04:13

Argo Dwipangga 20:53/03:55

Bima 22:10/05:56

Gajayana 22:30/06:37

there are some other routes from Bandung, Surabaya, Malang and Solo. For the more detailed information, please check the schedule at Kompas daily (one of the most popular national newspaper) or at the nearest train station. Usually the train ticket is always available as long as the day you choose is not peak season.

If you need to take a train in Jakarta - take it from Gambir station (which is reachable using the TransJakarta bus or taxi if you preferred). Gambir station is the Central train station, it offers complete routes. Some route services does not provided at other stations.

You will arrive in Tugu station in Yogyakarta (of course if your destionation is Yogyakarta, not other city). Tugu station is located at the middle of Yogyakarta city, if you walkout the station through the front gate and turn left to the east side), then you'll meet Jln. Pasar Kembang or Pasar Kembang road, there you'll meet Pasar Kembang market which is one of the tourist oriented market offering many souvenirs) and if you walk again to the southeast, you will meet the famous Jln. Malioboro (Jln. is the short writing of jalan, which means road or street in Indonesian language). Malioboro is about 2 (two) kilometers, many shops and local merchants and even malls are there.

So take the train trip and Pasar Kembang - Malioboro walk before checking in to the hotel. It will make you tired, a little confused, a bit hungry (actually there are so many food merchants in Malioboro, but who knows you see none), :D and it will became a never forgotten experiences.

Handcrafted Flowers

One of the specialties of Yogyakarta is handicraft - if you come to Yogyakarta you'll be surely see many handicraft store.

Today I like to introduce you to the handcrafted flower, which is made using the corn leaf. In Central Java many farmer grow corn in dry season. But most of them never make a good use of the corn leaf.

One of my neighbor in Yogyakarta is one of the handcrafted flowers maker. She told me everything about this art. And I think I should share some to you.

The flower is made using the colored dried corn leaf; and personally I'm curious to do some research since the coloring process still using the chemical color agent. I think it will be more perfect if the corn leaf was pigmented using natural coloring agent.

Then the colored corn leaf will be made into flower, there are many style available such as: rose, sunflower, fan, etc. The process is not complicated but I think it's still difficult for me who has no such talent. Basically the leaf is formed into the form you want and then tied to a bamboo stick.

If you walk at Malioboro (the famous street in Yogyakarta) - you will see many street-hawkers / street-traders selling corn leaf flowers.

And if you are stranger or foreigner, then usually the price would be Rp 5,000 (five thousand rupiahs) each. Then you must negotiate to get a better price. :D

Since my neighbor is the crafter not seller, she told me that actually those flowers cost around Rp 2,000 (two thousand rupiahs), even lower if the buyer is a quantity buyer.

Well.... this is one of business opportunity, I think I may sell it to you with higher price, ha ha. Seriously, if you really interested to buy or learn this kind of handcrafting art. Feel free to write me, I will be happy to sell it to you with good price :D or introduce you to my neighbor (but I think you should pay the tuition fee, lol).

Living in Yogyakarta

At last I feel alive again, that's because I'd got my internet connection yesterday. It cost me Rp 220,000 (two hundred and twenty thousand rupiahs) each month for 1GB limited access and Rp 350,000 (three hundred and fifty thousand rupiahs) for the China made 2 port DSL modem. But at least I really feel not living in the Bronze Age again. LOL

Well I'd rented a house in the south side of Yogyakarta city since March. And weeks I'd spent to clean the house. The house cost me quite many but still reasonable. But the time and money I spent to make this house appropriate to live in was quite stressing. Anyhow I still think that the house I've rented will pay for itself. It has 6 rooms, 2 rooms inside the main building and another 4 rooms at the backside building. Although those 4 rooms is not big - but I'm quite confident that I will be able to rent it out.

I'd made advertising at the newspaper and internet forum. The advertisement in the newspaper was total disaster (according to me), because I'd asked Doni to advertise - and he changed all of my advertisement's content. Which made all incoming call was from the peoples who think that I provide garage and television. Hell NO..... I only tag the price for Rp 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand rupiahs) per room each month. How could it possible that I provide a garage and television for that price?

Anyhow it has been a month - and it's time to be serious to make a living. Guys, wish me good luck - OK?