he fourth edition of Kereta Seni (Arts Train), the University of Indonesia’s (UI) School of Social and Political Science Student Executive Body’s (BEM FISIP UI) arts festival, wrapped up a four-day extravaganza filled with celebrations, contemplation and arts.
Held at the Makara Art Center, UI from Oct. 25 to 28, Kereta Seni IV collaborated with various arts communities in FISIP UI, Lembaga Kebudayaan Depok (Depok Cultural Institute) and Sinema Sora.
With the theme of “Melibas Batas, Melantas Bebas” ("Crossing Boundaries, Running Free"), this year’s Kereta Seni dealt with the issue of individual freedom in response to standards that are sometimes seen as limiting freedom. The festival serves a medium in conveying the analogy of a long life journey for individuals in deconstructing standards according to their wishes in determining their own life map.
Prior to the festival, Kereta Seni IV began with a pre-event titled Gambar Bareng (Drawing Together - GAMBRENG), before continuing with a series of art exhibitions, collaborative showcases, film screenings, as well as performances throughout the four-day festival.
A total of 43 artworks by FISIP UI students were displayed alongside 15 works by the Depok Cultural Institute and seven installations resulting from collaboration with the Sagarpa, Aksara Jingga and Fullframe communities. Movies by FISIP UI students screened by the FIKTIF UI cinephile community included Delup, Duh!, Menuju and Shopping Mechanism, while the Depok Cultural Institute put forward Gong Si Bolong.
The highlight of Kereta Seni IV was an art performance for two consecutive days starring FISIP UI students. The art performance, titled Orang-Orang Biasa (Ordinary People), tells the Legend of the Mystical East River Forest, which haunts the residents of Darmawangsa village. Its gloomy village head threatens to exile residents who are reluctant to submit, who are faced with a crisis of values and ambition, love and the dreams they desire, whether borne from a higher power or fellow humans.
Closing the festival was Orang-Orang Biasa as well as a showcase titled Kereta Malam (Night Train) accompanied by a costume party to coincide with Halloween night, which was enlivened through performances by Normatif, Uncle Wire, Muspro KMF, Juicebox, Xadricta and collaboration with Synchronize Radio.
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