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"I'm not interested in how people move; I'm interested in what makes them move," or so goes the quote from the late German dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch.
Whether it’s a sleek choreography in a stylish studio or a cheesy little ditty in a living room when no one’s looking, dance is one of those things in life that transcends barriers, tethering itself to the collective unconscious.
Short of calling it something cliché like “speaking to the soul”, dancing is just something we’ve done to convey ideas and emotions since time immemorial, finding meaning through every minute movement.
Regardless of approach and affinity, dance holds different meanings for different individuals, especially for dance artists.
“Dance for me is not just an expression, but also knowledge and a livelihood. [...] In a way, I can say that dance is life itself,” says dancer, choreographer and curator Josh Marcy.
For fellow dancer and choreographer Siti Alisa, dance is a journey.
“I started studying ballet at the age of four. There, I understood that dance is aesthetics in movement. When I got older, it became more than that — it became an expression. When I entered college at an arts institution in Jakarta, I studied again, so it continues to develop; it doesn't just become an expression, it becomes a part of life.”
The Jakarta Post sat down with Josh and Alisa to chat about dance, specifically the Indonesian dance scene. But while listening to the pair speak at length about the intricacies of the craft and the deeper meanings it holds for them, it was hard not to be curious about their journey of movement.
Josh, who headed the dance committee of the Jakarta Arts Council from 2020 to 2023, began his dance journey by participating in hip-hop community dance events in Surabaya, East Java, more than a decade ago. After moving to Jakarta, he had the chance to learn more dance styles, including ballet, modern dance, and his current practice of contemporary dance.
“We don't talk about specific technical roots anymore, but more about how dance and the body become a medium for artistic creation. I don't remember the first time when I started dancing, but I realized that dance is experienced by everyone.”
Of course, he added, this does not mean that everyone can become a professional dancer, but rather experience dance in everyday life through the movement of their bodies, which in a way is also a dance.
Keeping the flame eternal
For those who plan on going professional, dancing presents a unique challenge for both the mind and body. One must be lithe and agile to perform the techniques involved, but also of a sharp mind to memorize each sequence and move accordingly.
As Alisa puts it, dance requires intelligence in the body. But the question is, how do you become smart in your movements?
It’s the mentality, she says.
“When we are mentally ready, we can accept many things smoothly. Not only does the body have to be fit — that's a must — but it must also possess intelligence to articulate a movement and then embody it so that it becomes an expression, and even more.”
Do abstract yet much vaunted concepts like passion play a part in the circumstances? For Josh, the answer is a definitive yes, but with a dose of discipline.
“Since the art of dance requires the body to be ready to meet certain benchmarks, discipline is very necessary, including when we become choreographers.
“Passion, on the other hand, is the fuel for this discipline. But the persistence to keep the fire, the enthusiasm alive, I think that is the work [we have to do].”
There are many different ways to dance, but Josh said dancers will never be able to find what is most suitable, or technically what they can master if they don't have the discipline.
You have to want it for it to work out.
“I believe hard work can beat talent if we continue to build consistency and persistence. But we also have to realize that it will never be easy, and that hard work is not something that is promised outside, but inward. We owe it to ourselves, not to other people.”
Read also: Where to get the most authentic Chinese dishes in JakartaUps and downs, literally and figuratively
Yet with all things passion, there will always be those times when the flames dim. Not necessarily extinguished, but perhaps swaying like a candle in the wind rather than a roaring blaze.
Josh is of the opinion that detachment is as important as attachment, and that the way to deal with a creative block is to admit that you need the space to deal with it.
“When we have enough distance, then we see things clearer. We can experience many other things that we never knew were connected to our craft,” he said, adding that one of the best feelings for him is being on stage under the limelight, though not necessarily for the rapt attention and ecstatic applause.
“It’s to be very open and exposed in front of the stage, to be very honest. People say the stage cannot lie. In my opinion, it's the moment of truth. [...] There is also the relief I feel when through the work, our voices are heard. This will sound very cliché, but surprisingly it's not in vain to add one more grain of sand to the beach,” he said with a smile.
As for Alisa, the answer can come in the most random of moments, like during showering, staring off into space, or even people watching during MRT rides.
But when that moment comes, though, the relief can be divine.
“Relief and satisfaction are closely related, but different. The thing is, when I feel relieved, I don't necessarily feel satisfied, even though it's the best feeling. There is a drive to do better that keeps me going, because if we feel satisfied too quickly, then what's next?”
Dancing to the future
With its extraordinary momentum for the last two years, the dance scene in Indonesia is hoping to continue to improve and maintain its growth. JICON (Jakarta International Contemporary Dance Festival) initiated by the Jakarta Arts Council, is one of many platforms in the country aimed at dance artists to preserve and hone their craft.
JICON was born from a spirit of cultural collaboration and exchange surrounding the artistic ecosystem of dance. Its latest edition in 2023 took the theme of “SPHERE”, aiming to appreciate the breadth of choreographic practices and explore how urban spirituality sits within a broad body of work.
Alisa’s In Cycle, which opened JICON 2023, was inspired by the female cycle, delving into the stages women navigate within an imperfect realm of modernity overshadowed by enduring moral values. She described how women grapple with generational social burdens while looking for their own meaning, tenderness and spirituality, before ultimately finding a unique strength in themselves.
As the conversation drew to a close, Josh offered his parting words on the importance of ensuring the art of dance is discussed more often.
“It's not just about what is presented on stage, but how dance is also knowledge. Dance is an experience and something that needs to be written down and distributed.”
