Jogja: random acts of artistic expression

Jogja is well known as an arts hub, but you can often be pleasantly surprised when you stumble on pop-up art.

Friday's find was along a route travelled often, between ISI (Institut Seni Indonesia - the Jogja art school) and Charlie's playgroup near Kasongan. Some nameless creative has made these wooden figures and wired them to the safety posts above the river. No name, label or other obvious identifier (unless "Nowhere" is significant). Maybe they are or were for a special occasion, or maybe for an art school project. But I like to think they were put there just for fun.

I think this next one is my favourite. In the background a wood-chip and aluminium foil mannequin hangs from a roof in front of graffiti wings painted on the wall to form a human butterfly, while the wooden figure with the long arms, big feet, wide gait and sticky-outy eyes steps over a safety post. I can easily visualise this guy moving, straight out of a 3d-animated kids film.

Behind him lies this scary looking crocodile sculpture perched watchfully atop the steep bank of the river. Again, no credit anywhere I could see for the maker. Evidently just someone having a laugh, putting a rather permanent artwork here to scare the living daylights out of anyone climbing from the river below.

Ahhh, Jogja. 'Tis a cool place.

Quick and random: bath mat

The floor mat outside the toilet at Wisma Bahasa language school. Just look at it for a little while. And ponder.

Somewhere, sometime, somehow, someone thought it would be a good idea to make a bath mat. Makes sense, bathroom floors in Indonesia are very wet things.

But to distinguish this bath mat from the many others on the market they needed a catchy design. And why not choose - of all the many things in the universe to wipe one's feet on - why not choose tennis balls?

But what really gets me is this: if you are going to depict and identify tennis balls on your bath mat, why use an image of baseballs?

#100HappyDays - Day 49 - A Birth Plan

The wife and I took a car out to Klaten, rather than riding a scooter like the previous trip, and while it was a little more expensive, it was certainly a wise decision from a comfort perspective.

We met Ibu Yesse, who seems to be pretty much exactly the kind of midwife we want. She was perhaps a little reserved with us, but maybe she doesn't work with many bule. And she has had to fight to keep doing what she does, with much resistance from people here who are still unable to consider that a hospital birth isn't the best option for some people.

Anyway, Rencana (plan) A, home birth. Rencana B, got to the clinic in Klaten if Ibu can't be at the home birth for any reason. Rencana C - Rumah Sakit (Hospital), if there is a need to seek medical help.

A big relief for Kai and I.

#100HappyDays - Day 47 - DJing at Rini's Wedding

(still playing but catch up here - but who cares)

Babun, myself and Uki - photo courtesy Uki.

Was asked by our friend Rini if I would DJ at her wedding, to complement the band. Fun was had. Though lordy it was humid.

#100HappyDays - Day 46 - Hunting, graduations, and a whole lotta bike ridin'

Went on a mission looking for replacement DJ headphones, as my 15 or so year old Technics RP DJ 1210s have finally given up the ghost. Rode to the biggest music store in town, only to find they had just one pair, a budget model that just felt cheap and flimsy to me. No deal.

Then went and met the wife who graduated from her Indonesian university course. Yay!

Jumped on a scooter together and rode 30-odd kms to Klaten, to meet the midwife we are hoping will catch our baby. She does home births and follows a "non-intervention unless necessary" model.  Too bad she wasn't there, having gone to Jakarta to catch a baby there. Still, the place was quite nice and homely and well equipped. Much nicer than a hospital, for us, anyway.

Then rode all the way back.

Despite the sore bum and no headphones, today was a good day.

#100HappyDays - Day 39 - Watchin' Soccer

Yep - I got up at 3am (Jogja time) to watch the opening match of the World Cup. Brazil vs Chile.

And my fear of commentary being in Indonesian proved unnecessary, as the very second they cut from the Jakarta studio to the match, presto - Bahasa Inggris!

Happy boy.

(no picture - nobody looks pretty at this time of morning)

#100HappyDays - Day 31 - Morning views and student chews (and motorbike safety lose)

Woke in the bungalow to a beautiful Tembi morning. Sunlight streaming into the courtyard, a gorgeous view out over the sawah, a spider basking in the warm rays while the light glints off its glorious web.

Rather at odds with the hustle and bustle of the University Gadjah Mada food court where I joined my wife for lunch. But yay for different experiences. And delicious food plus a fresh blended fruit juice for about $1.40 AUD - what's not to be happy about?






(Perhaps not so much happy days material, but this guy, riding his scooter bare of foot, noggin protected only by a toy helmet, and wearing a girdle of massive saw blades.... ummm... yeah, I'm in freakin' Indonesia, baby!)

#100HappyDays - Day 28 and 29 - Music makin'

In the interests of actually catching up on these updates, I'll merge these two together. Sorry if this is boring.

Travel music studio

With Charlie's Nanna and Poppy here, there have been some extra ears around to listen out for the boy. This has given me the freedom to spend a little time on a hobby I don't often get to spend a lot of time on - making music. Over these two days I spend a lot of time practicing my production skills, making two of the strongest tracks I've ever made. I still have a lot to learn, but having the time and headspace to work on it has made me extremely happy.

Not quite ready to share the results of my efforts, but hopefully that will happen soon.

#100HappyDays - Day 27 - Home Invasion 2 (reciprocation)

It was only a matter of time.

There's never been much reason for the kids to visit Rumah Dave (Dave's house) - and I imagine that behind the gates and walls this house might have been seen with a sense of a mystery. But now that Rumah Dave has become Rumah Charlie, curiosity has conquered fear.

At first it was just a couple of girls, who approached with apparent trepidation, asking from the yard if Charlie would like to bermain (play). But today they ventured in through the gates, to door step. Chartlie wheeled over his toy box, and before long they were sitting inside on the floor, sharing his colouring books and other toys.

It's beautiful to watch him interacting with other kids despite the language barrier. But when you think about it it's not all that different to playing with toddlers back home, where they are all only just learning English.

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 3. Home-grown produce and yummy dinners

Finished off a nice day with:

SUPER fresh kelapa muda (young cocount), straight off one of the trees at Yabbiekayu;

(look closely, you'll see me in my new specs!) 

Charlie peruses the menu at Mediterranea

and dinner at Mediterranea, our favourite local restaurant when we feel like something a little fancy.

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 2. Shopping Mall Talent Show

Solo mission to Malioboro Mall today, to get adjustments made so my new glasses (yay!) don't slip off my little nose (boo!). As I walked in to centre court, I found a performance taking place, called "Moms and Kids".


The first thing I noticed was that it was loud. And I mean really loud. I can only presume that Indonesian PA engineers are all already deaf, because I'm yet to find one turned to anything lower than ear-splitting. So loud was the music that I'm only 70% sure that they were singing in English - though that may be due in part to the kids' adorably accented take on the language. It sounds like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...



After the charming rendition, the hostesses appeared, their attempts to hype the crowded mall hindered because their voices were super-distorted. Both women were very attractive, if rather heavily made up. But I admit to being mildly concerned for the innocence of the kids sitting on the floor, watching the particularly short-skirted hostess strut around on stage.



After I think what scared/fascinated me most about this strange cultural experience was seeing the proud kids, after one-by-one yelling their name into the microphone before disappearing back-of-stage, re-emerge to join their Moms (and a few dads), triumphantly carrying their prize - a drink of water and a box of fried chicken! 

Indonesia: proudly increasing children's confidence AND waistlines... (and killing their ear drums).

Experiences like this remind me where I am, and definitely put a smile on my face.

#100HappyDays - Day 25 - Part 1. Charlie Sings The Call To Prayer

After a refreshing morning swim, Charlie and I sat down for a drink and a bite to eat. The loudspeaker of the local masjid (mosque) crackled into life for the midday call to prayer. And the adorable little guy starts copying the Imam, singing his own call to prayer. I only wish I'd been quicker on the draw with the camera - but I captured one of Charlie's repeated versions.

#100HappyDays - Day 24 - Education, Culture and the Beach

We were picked up early (6:30am) for a car trip to a village in the Gunung Kidul region east of Jogja.

The purpose was for a cultural experience, attending a local school to talk to the children about where we are from, to expose the children to other languages and cultures, and to hopefully inspire some of them to think about possible futures beyond the boundaries of their own village.

We began with a rousing rendition of the Indonesian national anthem sung by the kids. And then a lot of talking in Indonesian, most of which went way over my head. But the song and dance performances - almost all by the girls while the boys sat watching - were really sweet. 

We played a game, where some of the children were encouraged to ask us a question in English, in return for a prize. The questions were simple - do you like Indonesia, what food do you like here, what is your favourite food from Australia. And then I got to ask a question - and I challenged them to point to Australia on the map of the world hanging behind the stage area. IT too a few goes, but eventually they got it. I'm not sure many Aussie kids of a similar age would be able to point to Indonesia without a little help.

   

Kai and her Mum taught the kids (again, mainly the girls) how to play that clapping game with the song "A Sailor Went To Sea Sea Sea", and the kids played a game of catch that was very similar to a game I remember from my own primary school days many years back.

Some more dancing, some more singing, and the young Moroccan lady on the trip with us sang a song for the kids. There was a closing thank you, we were presented with certificates of attendance. And then it was time to go. 

We jumped back in the car and headed to the beach for the afternoon. It wasn't really a swimming beach, but it did have a cave, and with a little effort were able to source a seafood lunch.

All in all an interesting day, and no doubt something a little different for Charlie's grandparents to experience as part of their visit.

#100HappyDays - Day 15 - Home invasion

Charlie just rode his bike up someone's driveway and into their living room this morning. Inside was a woman and a four year old girl. The boy just made himself home, sitting on their mat and started playing with her toys. Before long, and with only a handful of words in Indonesian, he'd made a new friend.

A short time later two of her friends arrived, and next thing you know, Charlie is putting on a clown show. So amazing to watch how quickly he adapts.

#100HappyDays - Day 14 - a hand to hold

Went for a family massage yesterday, which on its own is worthy of gratitude. But Charlie lying on the massage table next to me for his "baby massage", looking over and reaching out for my hand to hold - those sorts of moments make parenting worthwhile.

#100HappyDays - Day 13 - Blue-eyed boy

The wife was off to see the doctor, so boys' night out. Dinner at Rumah Budaya, including this funky green and pink jelly drink. Charlie was pretty well behaved, and turned on the blue-eyed charm when I whipped out the camera phone. Love this kid a gazillion.

#100HappyDays - Day 09 - Fruit from a stranger

Yesterday the kind old bapak (father, Mister) who lives up the street, whose name I don't yet know despite regularly exchanging pleasantries whenever we pass, stopped me as I rode past his rumah (home, house). I didn't quite understand what he said, but the general gist was "wait here, I have something for Charlie". He went inside and returned with a bag of fruit. Turns out to be jambu air, also known as water apple, rose apple, Java apple or bell fruit. Certainly made for an interesting breakfast, and set is up for a happy and productive day.

Shot with Sony Xperia Z1