Choy Ka Fai
Postcolonial Spirits
During the long-term Cosmic Wander project, Choy Ka Fai, Factory Artist at tanzhaus nrw from 2017 until 2019, will provide a new look at the traditional Indonesian dolalak dance. The dance is interwoven with the imitations by Dutch colonial soldiers who celebrated during 1930’s cosplay parties. Over the course of the ensuing decades, it adapted to current popular culture and social media developments. The trance ritual will be accompanied by songs about local myths, political satire, and Islamic poetry. The Postcolonial Spirits performance was inspired by the multidimensional heritage in dolalak. Andri Kurniawan will participate via a live feed from Java; Vincent Riebeek will simultaneously perform at tanzhaus nrw. Choy Ka Fai opens an interstice in this manner, approaching cultural and historical ritual by means of modern technology. He surmounts the threshold of resistance against colonial power with the aid of fantasy.
Part of Factory Finale
Concept, documentary, story, director: Choy Ka Fai; Psychic presence: Raden Mas Sosro; Choreography, performance: Vincent Riebeek, Andri Kurniawan; Music, sound composition: Yennu Ariendra; Live music artist: J. Mo’ong Santosa Pribadi; Singers: Nova Ruth, Andri Kurniawan; 3D visual design, technology: Brandon Tay; Visual artist: Sven Gareis / telematics; Light, installation, technical direction: Ray Tseng; Dramaturgy: Tang Fukuen; Assistant director: Darlane Litaay; Artistic assistance: Irina Demina; Set design: Dan Lancea; Props design: Soy Section; Costume design (Germany); Justyna Gmitrzuk; Costume tailoring (Indonesia): Mr.Harjito; Heritage advice: Dolalak Budi Santoso Group; Research assistance: Sanne van Aalderen: Project management: Mara Nedelcu; Production management, research, translation (Indonesia): Sekar Handayani; Creative producer (Indonesia): Jala Adolphus; Video operator and touring administration: Tammo Walter; Administration: Franziska Hauser; Stage direction: Sanja Gergoric.
The research process is supported by: the National Council for Culture Singapore, the VERTIGO project as part of the STARTS program of the European Commission, based on technical elements of Moving Digits. Many thanks to Lokananta Surakarta, Sarang Building, Studio Plesungan Indonesia. Photo material provided by KITLV/ Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (www.kitlv.nl/).
A production by Choy Ka Fai in cooperation with Tanz im August / HAU Hebbel am Ufer; Supported by Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Europa, Fonds Darstellende Künste, Mittel der Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien.