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Papermoon puppet theater performs, shares success story in Indonesian Development Forum
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Ria Papermoon considers artists equal to business owners. She and the Papermoon Puppet Theater took part in the 2019 Indonesian Development Forum at the Jakarta Convention Center on July 22. (Indonesian Development Forum/File)
T
he Papermoon Puppet Theater group took part in the Indonesian Development Forum (IDF), an international conference held by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) on July 22 and 23 in the Jakarta Convention Center.
The founder and artistic director of Papermoon, Maria Tri Sulistyani, said that on the first day of the event the group gave a lecture performance from one of its works, Secangkir Kopi dari Playa (A Cup of Coffee from Playa).
“We shared stories about process outside of the performance and about how a man’s story is part of a nation’s story,” Maria told The Jakarta Post in a WhatsApp message.
Papermoon, known for making puppets out of coconut shells, used bottles and old wood, has traveled to remote areas in Indonesia to introduce art and spread the awareness of taking care of the environment.
Maria, affectionately known as Ria Papermoon, said in a statement that once her group collaborated with an organization in Raja Ampat, Papua.
“We conducted a workshop for facilitators at a school [in Raja Ampat], in which we taught them to make puppets from garbage and locally sourced materials. The puppets will be used for their own shows,” said Ria.
She also shared that through Papermoon, she personally learns managerial skills to run a sustainable organization.
“Success is not always big in quantity, but also in quality. We [Papermoon] choose to be in a small team, so that we can always cross-check with each other. We take care of each other, just like in a family,” Ria said.
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Furthermore, Ria wrote in an Instagram post that taking part in the IDF was an extraordinary experience for her, as the event was initiated by the government, supported by the people and provides room for many elements.
“Seeing disabled friends get the chance to voice their ideas in this forum is a huge step from the government that I think is outstanding,” wrote Ria in regard of the IDF’s inclusivity.
Meanwhile, on the second day of the IDF, Ria gave a presentation on Papermoon’s journey and how firsthand experience of art is of high importance.
“[Art] is a sensual experience. The screen cannot make up for it,” Ria told the Post.
She said that art is all about cultivating the senses and that is why it is crucial for our development.
Hilmar Farid, the Education and Culture Ministry’s culture director general, is said to fully support a creative culture-based economy.
Speaking at the session of “Employment and Human Capital in the Indonesian Arts and Culture Sector”, Hilmar said that not many people are aware that a creative culture-based economy can grow rapidly and that it has contributed 6.1 percent of Indonesia’s annual 8.8 percent growth.
