TEDxUbud 2019 - Exploring The Theme of Movement
Image courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Herry Santosa
Blink and you’ll miss it. Quite the apt saying for an exciting event with the theme of Movement. TEDxUbud 2019 presented a wide ranging lineup of presenters and performers all on the scale of awe inspiring and thought provoking that makes it one of the best annual idea-sharing events on the island.
Peni Chandra Rini strikes a pose - Image courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Shayna Pitch
This year TEDxUbud was held at Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets on Saturday 12th of October, marking the second time the event has been set up here. TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, presents engaging speakers in a lecture style format made into a global knowledge powerhouse through its published videos online garnering millions of views every day. TEDx represents the independently organised extension of the brand, which given more locations around the world the platform for expression and connection.
The excitement and intrigue from participants was palpable. Before kicking off the event, part of the TEDxUbud experience is meandering through the food and beverage stalls offering organic and sustainable delectables and bumping into like-minded individuals. Once fuelled up, a ceremonial ringing encouraged participants to shift into Setia Darma’s open-air amphitheatre, which befittingly overlooks a tropical valley lined with tall motionless coconut trees - a TEDx stage seemingly unrivalled in natural beauty.
Abugrey displays his Hip Hop slash Papuan dance - Image courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Shayna Pitch
First to the stage was Jackie Pomeroy, an applied microeconomist specialising in international trade. She presented a story that took her from analysing agricultural data to diving head first into the rumbling and shaky statistics of Mount Agung, which was waking from a long slumber back in 2017. Jackie focused on reiterating the importance of presenting facts during a time of uncertainty and potential danger going as far as setting up a Facebook page to bring useful and factual information to the confused masses. The theme of movement was now in motion.
Following on from Jackie was Abugrey Lobubun, a Papuan dance artist performing a piece that highlights past and present in the context of beautiful Papua. His costume of Papuan dry-grass skirt paired with a black blazer and jolted Hip Hop dance styles presented a befitting visual for the struggles we face today - the dissolve of established traditions by a modern commercial capitalist consumerism.
Continuing the conversation of traditions and heritage was Saras Dewi, a Balinese poet, activist and lecturer at the University of Indonesia. She talked about a sacred dance called Sanghyang Dedari that used to be prevalent in Bali but due to a shift to modernise agricultural processes many rituals and dances lost importance. Only after seasons of poor harvest and misfortune did the Balinese realise that their disconnection with the ‘old ways’ was in fact distancing themselves from the Gods and the natural world - two factors that shape all sacred rituals.
Saras Dewi - Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Shayna Pitch
After a brief break, introduced next was Bandana Tewari, lifestyle journalist, ex-editor in chief of Vogue India and sustainability activist. She unfolded the truths of the unsustainable character of the fashion industry but more importantly a concept coined ‘Sartorial Integrity’. She described this as “searching through fashion for personal truth” - a process of finding ones purpose and reason through what one wears. She explained how Gandhi’s personal fashion choices allowed him to signal to the world (and himself) what his values are and how he aligns to others.
Bali based entrepreneur and engineering genius Sean Nino presented an eye opening set of data based on Bali’s hospitality industry and their unsustainable ways. His company Eco Mantra sets the bar for ecological safety measures and resource reduction systems saving thousands of dollars a month for conscious hospitality brands and other entities. He has challenged Bali’s hospitality industry to pledge to cut their electrical and water consumption in half by 2025.
The theme of movement built momentum when Peni Chandra Rini and her musicians graced the TEDxUbud stage. They filled the Setia Darma amphitheatre with so much sound it overflowed out into the valley across, amplifying vocal presence and instrumental harmonies.
Jonny Miller expresses his journey through pain - - Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Suki Zoe
More inspiration came from the next speaker, Jonny Miller. As the co-founder of Maptia, a living archive of inspiring and impactful stories, Jonny stood on the red TEDx circle to teach us how to understand pain. After loosing a loved one, his battle with pain created a shell for protection, but soon he realised he had to let himself crack open and let in the light to get through it all.
As the evening darkness rolled out across the valley, Louise Despont shared her love of drawing geometric architectural shapes. Touching on the fact that the children of the future may not know the process of hand writing or drawing, she creates complex drawings using stencils, which she says elevates her work to feel like collaborating with an external energy.
Louise Despont shares her creations - Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Shayna Pitch
Emerging out from behind the dark stage, the next performance piece wound back time and revealed three archaic looking beings. Three dancers fabulously depicted the movements of prehistoric creatures meandering across a desolate land set to a rich soundscape.
Movement embodied through prehistoric dance- Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019
It soon evolved into a piece exploring the life and death of a prehistoric ancestor. Prehistoric Body Theatre is the brainchild of Ari Rudenko in collaboration with extremely talented local dancers. According to Ari, Indonesia’s traditional dances were the perfect foundation for exploring just how dinosaurs dance.
Prehistoric beings from Ari Rudenko’s Prehistoric Body Theatre - Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Shayna Pitch
Finally, the final speaker, Abdullah Sarwari, brought us back to the present to shed light on the struggles of being a refugee in Indonesia. Arriving four years ago, he soon realised that due to outdated rules and regulations, refugees were not allowed to seek work - or education. He challenged that rule by starting his own school and provided a education platform called The Refugee Learning Centre for those in need. Humbled by his actions and tenacity, he deservingly received a standing ovation at the end of his talk.
Abdullah Sarwari - Image Courtesy of TEDxUbud 2019 by Zoe Suki
TEDxUbud 2019 was a resounding success, mixing talks and performance art in a intellectual and inspiring way. The theme of movement was expertly and widely explored. From impending eruptions and vocal vibrations, to the search for meaning and artistic expression, participants most definitely left feeling moved or motivated to create movement. The TEDxUbud team have once again demonstrated their ability to select inspirational groups and figures to share amazing stories, inspire us to change and create meaningful connections. If you’re reading this and missed out - make sure you move fast next year to grab a ticket or two, you won’t regret it.
This feature was written first for NOW! Bali Magazine www.nowbali.co.id and later mirror posted to inspireatgenesis.com as well.