INTERNATIONALES GAMELAN MUSIKFESTIVAL
MÜNCHEN 8-17 JUNE 2018
Performance dates
Wednesday June 13th 2018/19:00 hrs.
Bayerischer Rundfunk (Studio 2)
GONG is part of programm:
Degung & Gamelan Sunda - trad and new
Thursday June 14th 2018/19:00 hrs.
Gasteig (Carl Orff Saale)
GONG is part of programm: GOONG
Friday June 15th 2018/19:00 hrs.
Münchner Stadtmuseum (Open Air)
GONG is part of programm:
Gamelan rituell-zeremoniell-experimentell
Sunday June 17th 2018/14:00 hrs.
Münchner Stadtmuseum (Open Air)
GONG is part of programm: Wandelkonzert (Finale)
Sunday June 17th 2018/19:00 hrs.
Münchner Stadtmuseum (Open Air)
GONG is part of programm: Wandelkonzert (Finale)
Concept Iwan Gunawan and Aafke de Jong
Music Iwan Gunawan
Choreopgraphy Aafke de Jong
Musicians members of Kyai Fatahillah
Singer Yanti Nur Aprianti
Dancers Federica Aventaggiato, ChiaYing Chiang,
Rahmida Dewi Patmawati, Valerio Porleri &
Fazle Shairmahomed
'My favorite and most unforgettable moment in dance of the
entire year - maybe ever - is the last moment of the piece,
with all the dancers on one disk, swaying, holding each other
with gentle peace and safety and unity. It is my metaphoric
wish for our world.'
- J. Diamond (U.S.A. based composer, performer, writer, publisher, editor, and educator)
About 'GONG'
For their cooperation internationally recognized composer Iwan Gunawan and choreographer Aafke de Jong explore the idea of "gong" - as a concept, so to speak.
In some Indonesian cultures gongs are considered sacred instruments with a specific power. They produce a magical primary sound and represent a quest for infinity.

Like a perpetuum mobile, a meaningful event once put in motion, might keep it's effect for a lifetime. This idea can be translated to processes in society, in history, even in our daily lives, where patterns often seem to repeat themselves and we tend to live as though we will never die.
As an example; the colonial period of the former Dutch Indies might be viewed as a heavy 'hit on the gong' in time in a way that even nowadays both countries involved (Indonesia and The Netherlands) still feel the consequences on many levels, even though we are not always aware of it.
Rehearsal pictures by Connie Forndran
This project was
partially financed by:
In 'GONG' Aafke and Iwan are intrigued by this concept and use it as a base for a mutual cohesion between dancers and musicians. How could a sense of infiniteness being felt within our body and amongst the dancers and musicians and perhaps even amongst the audience members?
Aafke - from childhood on inspired by the repetitive patterns found in fractals or the works of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher - and Gunawan's gamelan ensemble Kyai Fatahillah, strive to give the audience an intense, hypnotizing feel, loosing track of time and place.
'GONG' is a continuation of the research done during their Artist Residency in Villa Waldberta-München in 2017.

picture by Connie Forndran
Iwan Gunawan

picture by Connie Forndran
Aafke de Jong