Kedai Kebun, Yogyakarta

Kedai Kebun Forum, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

January 2020 I was the artist-in-residence at Kedai Kebun Forum (KKF) in Yogyakarta on the Indonesian island Java. KKF is an initiative of artist Agung Kurniawan. In the residency I did the first research for a performance project with the working title 'Parade Pedagang Keliling' ('Parade of ambulant street vendors'). I was assisted by Uniph Kahfi and mas Komar from KKF. 

I collected the various sounds of the street vendors ("pedagang") that go around ("keliling"). In Indonesia these sellers use 'instruments' to get attention from potential customers: bowl or plate and fork, glass and spoon, wooden stick and bamboo or a slit drum etc. All sounds mean a certain food or drink, and there are local differences.

The plan is to write music compositions with those sounds of the various pedagang. The compositions will be based on gamelan music: traditional ensemble music in Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussive instruments. Therefore I have also started, already in October 2019, to play gamelan at the Gamelanhuis in Amsterdam.


In my studio at the gallery I installed the open studio exhibition Silakan duduk (Have a seat) & other works from January 17 until 31. In February I continued the research for the performance from the house we have in Yogyakarta with my husband, the graphic designer and screen printer Teguh Hartano.

Back in the Netherlands I applied for development budget at the Amsterdam Funds of the Arts (AFK) in order to develop new skills like composing, and to work with composer and conductor Sinta Wullur in writing the actual compositions. In October 2020 I received the funding for the further development of the project. I have started composing now.

When it is possible to travel again I will return to Yogyakarta with the compositions. Assisted by producer Iteq Kristiyoarti we rehearse the pieces with the street vendors that I have worked with early 2020. Iteq will also assist in obtaining permits for the performance, the parade through some streets in the South of Yogyakarta. For the actual realisation of the performance and for the recording of the parade on video and audio I need to apply for additional funding. The footage will be the base for a video installation.