VOL. 1 NO. 5 I NOVEMBER 17-23, 2013
WANDERLUST
MELBOURNE IN MIND A LA MODE
YOUR WEEKLY LIFESTYLE SUPPLEMENT
HIS AND HER APPEAL PERSONALITY
YOUTUBER SACHA STEVENSON’S LOCAL FLAVOR
A PAIR OF GEMS TULOLA JEWELRY EXHIBITION PAYS HOMAGE TO CULTURE AND TRADITION
mark MY WORDS
Noted in passing
The New Style Councils
Time to Shine
The digital lifestyle is changing how we experience fashion … but is this change for the better?
I WENT ON a morning-in, morning out visa renewal trip to Singapore this week. That’s the way I like it; I don’t feel connected to the city-state and the novelty of 20 years ago of its bars and restaurants has worn off today, when here in Jakarta we are the real thriving hub of creativity. Next to me on the plane going there was a young man with his head buried in a book. He was there again 12 hours later on my return flight to Jakarta, and eventually we struck up a conversation. Turns out he owns a group of successful restaurants and hotels in the capital, with plans to expand to Bali this year. His wife was someone I had interviewed years back when she was a chef at his hip restaurant in the capital. It’s a small world after all, and Jakarta is often like one very close-knit village. He is just one of the young and creative Indonesian generation of today, which also includes our cover subjects, Happy Salma and her good friend, jewelry designer Sri Luce Rusna. They are armed with the 21st century smarts needed in today’s world, but also paying a respectful nod to tradition in their new jewelry exhibition in Jakarta. Other Indonesian craftspeople are also getting their chance through the “Meet the Makers” event, which brings them from the regions to Jakarta. Read about the upcoming event in this issue; another Indonesian rising star Reza Rahadian opens up in our 20/20 column. There is also YouTube star Sacha Stevenson, who has her own take on being Indonesian. Go take a look at the Tulola exhibition by Happy and Sri if you have a chance on this lazy Sunday. For me, in whatever way we can, we should lend our support to today’s young people in achieving their dreams. Bruce Emond
Check List
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@JplusSunday
It’s a Wrap
Go down Mexico way with a taste of spicy fajitas.
JplusSunday
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SundayJplus
Room With A View
The Park Lane Jakarta has rolled out a function room with a poolside view.
IN THESE digital days of ours, our lifestyle is all about being fast: fast food, fast fame, fast money – and now fast fashion. Once upon a time, fashion was a surprise. Season after season, we waited for powerful fashion editors to reveal the colors, cuts and styles that we wanted. We anticipated their revelations with the same excitement that we waited for the shop to develop and print our photos. But just as we have taken our selfies digital, fashion too has sped up – the temps mort (French for period of stillness) of yesteryear is no more. Even as we see the creations of famous designers on the catwalk, those same designs are already online. Within just a few weeks, they turn up in the retail shops of a less prestigious brand; the style is the same, but they are cheaper and easier to market to fashion-hungry teenagers, glam-cheap fashionistas and, well, the masses. Bloggers and fashionistas are at the heart of our era’s fast fashion – except for the few “real deals”, those who really care about fashion and are not influenced by the subtle seduction of the fashion industry. They are the new rock stars. What was once the domain of catwalks and fashion spreads has entered the everyday, to be captured by smartphone, uploaded and tweeted, all in real time. The “Circus of Fashion”, as Suzy Menkes once said, is true entertainment in itself. Anyone can ignore the fashion shows and just admire the “street show”. That’s affordable fashion. Waiting for Anna dello Russo (fashion icon and Vogue Japan creative consultant) and wondering what she will wear today – that’s one of
Happy Salma & Sri Luce Rusna
Photo Fabio Lorenzo
JPlus Team Editor Bruce Emond I bruce@thejakartapost.com Deputy Editor Willy Wilson Graphic Designer Budhi Hartono Copy Editor Imogen Badgery-Parker MARKETING & ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas I ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com Marketing Executives Dewi Damayani I dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.com Sugeng Andrianto I sugeng.andrianto@thejakartapost.com
Letters I ENJOY reading the new JPlus, and wish to respond to Melissa Karim’s parking experience (Mark My Words, Nov. 10). Melissa, you live in a modern world in which, even on a Sunday morning, you are fighting for the last parking space and so preoccupied with your routine that you are unaware that an equally busy person has seen the final space before you (a ”Lady Drivers” section is an anachronism – since when did merely being a woman, a young one at that, allow you priority in the world?) You imply that a ”beehive hairdo” makes the woman concerned hopelessly out of touch with fashion, when all she is doing is standing up for her rights in a competitive world in which age neither deserves nor gets any advantage. Take the bus in Jakarta and see how many teenagers fill the seats while their elders struggle to hold on to an overhead handle. I’d love to be here to check up on your progress in 30 years time but, at my age, I will have to forgo that pleasure. I know, however, that you will be fighting your corner as hard then as you should be now. As you see your power to change the world diminish, you will have no time at all to be ”vibrant with wisdom, knowledge and patience”. Politeness has no age boundaries and neither does the will to survive. Now, isn’t that something to celebrate? Andy Archibald (a grumpy old man)
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The writer, a top model in the early 1990s, now resides in Italy.
Acting Our Age
ON THE COVER
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those temps mort that we sometimes now miss in real life. Seeing Tamu McPherson (fashion blogger, street fashion photographer) taking pictures for her blog and following her on her new styles or discovering beautiful fops mingling is a feast for the eyes. We can remark on their outfits, calling them totally absurd and out of this world, but isn’t that what fashion was about? At least for us, the outsiders, fashion was something unreal, something to dream about. In this world of digital style, the real fashion show takes second stage, as the exclusive domain of the elitist fashion industry. Although, given the time and energy that goes into designing a collection, year after year, and the pressure of always having to be both avant garde and saleable, perhaps it’s only fair that they can wallow in the luxury of such exclusivity. The choices open to us today are wide and varied. It is up to the individual to be smart and diligent – for each of us to take the time to do research and choose the best fashion for us. We are not mere sheep, blindly following the dictates of fashion gurus. Then again, it’s just fashion. Fashion may be art, or simply a vehicle of civilization, or just a choice of fast fashion – wear it today, toss it in the trash tomorrow. Sometimes I try not to admit loving fashion, but it’s like a current so strong that it pulls me ever deeper. We might as well enjoy the show while we can. + Avi Basuki
table of FRIENDS
MESSAGE Mayhem DESPITE THE SERENADE OF A POPULAR SONG, INCESSANT SMS ARE NOT MUSIC TO THE EARS AT OUR TABLE. SAVE FOR ONE TRUE-BLUE SMS LOVER ... @edwardsuhadi I ALWAYS think that whoever is behind the tsunami of SMS we receive every day is one lazy manager/director/project manager. They found one way that works, and despite the fact that this method is now hated, condemned and sweared at unanimously by whoever that receives it, they still do it anyway. The result? Hundreds of unopened messages in people’s phones, 7 a.m. SMS on Saturday mornings and an ongoing contest of persuasion prose in 160 characters: “Dear good sir”, “Hey there sexy” and “Please, this is to feed my hungry child.” They could brainstorm, research and develop new gimmicks that don’t leave millions of future prospects angry and even hostile. But hey: “It’s easy, cheap, and even an idiot can type out phone number lists. Plus we’re a bunch of overpaid lazy dudes. So good luck!” PS: I turned off my messaging app alert. Never read a letter off your SMS. Eat that.
@ReneCC THERE WAS a time when SMS was useful, helpful … and even a playful diversion. SMS was the way to communicate for its reliability and affordability. My SMS mailbox was where I interacted with those who matter in my business life, love life and whatever other lives I may have. Not anymore. Thanks to the bombardment of unsolicited sales pitches, SMSs no longer matter. On a good day, seven of nine SMSs I receive are junk – mostly pitches for KTA (non-collateral loans), credit cards or, perhaps related, ways to get out of your credit card debt. On a not-so-good day, 15 out of 15 messages are junk. Those who matter to me don’t contact me through SMS. I use WA to reach Edward and Wina while Twitter DM is the most reliable way to call on Iwet and Zoya. How about you?
@zoyaamirin AAAARGH, so annoying. On one not-so-fine day, I got 33 SMS, all of them sales pitches. I decided to reply to 10 of them randomly; only one answered directly, another answered a day later, and two of them got back to me four days later. I miss the time when I would rush to get my phone, hoping the SMS was from my crush (from the vibration I knew it was from him). The biggest thrill was getting his SMS voicemail (I was also using the famous 24 TV show tune for my ring tone, hoping Jack Bauer from CTU says hi). Too bad it lost its charm.
@mrshananto I WAS awakened in the middle of the night by my phone buzzing for attention. I scrambled for it, fearing it might be an emergency message from my parents. To my disappointment (or perhaps relief ), the message was nothing life threatening. It was an auto text from a complete stranger offering me a line of credit! I am an independent financial planner. I was offered line of credit in the middle of the night via a text message? You do get the irony of this don’t you? :) Now, where do we sign up to block all these unsolicited text messages? I will be first in line.
@iwetramadhan SMS? Oh, that old communication method. My way to send ... :) :( And it’s a special code for a conversation with a lover, the secret one. Hmmm. Now, no need to guess or judge ... It’s sexy. Sorry, Zoya, I might be sounding a bit too similar to you right now :DYes, I still use SMS to flirt. I find that flirtatious messages are sexier via SMS. So, forget the KTA and those crap messages. I can proudly say that I still love SMS.
Join us at the table: send your feedback to @TOFChat and @JPlusSunday JPLUS November 17, 2013
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taste BUD
ALMOST EFFORTLESS BEEF FAJITAS WORDS THEODORA HURUSTIATI
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like to catch up with friends over a barbeque or an outdoor dinner party, and Mexican food is ideal! Fajitas, for example, are definitely one of the ultimate party foods. It is a perfect meal for sharing and quickly makes a crowd happy. I’d suggest preparing the accompaniments in advance and grilling the steaks at the last minute. Put everything in the middle of the table and let the guests create their own sandwiches. Hassle-free, almost! Serves 4 4 tortilla wraps 500 grams tender beef steak (flank, skirt or loin) ½ teaspoon ground coriander ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon oregano ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes 1 lime, juiced 1 onion 2 bell peppers, yellow and red ground black pepper, to taste vegetable oil salt Garnishes: 4 tablespoons sour cream or yoghurt 50 grams shredded cheddar cheese Rub the steak with all the spices, black pepper and salt. Add the lime juice and two tablespoons of oil. Place in an airtight container and leave to marinate in the fridge overnight, or, at least, for a couple of hours. Take the steak out from the cold about 30 minutes before cooking. It should be at room temperature. Meanwhile, start preparing the side dishes. Cut onion and bell peppers into long strips. Heat three tablespoons of oil in a pan and sauté them. Add salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until they are soft but still slightly crisp. Set aside and keep warm. When the guests are arriving and the sauces are ready, start heating the griddle pan or the barbeque. If you use thin fillets, cook each side of the steaks for 2 minutes until the surface is caramelized but the inside is still pink. The bigger the cut, the longer it will take to cook. It is better not to cook beef well done or you could end up with awfully chewy meat.
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Let rest on the cutting board for a few minutes before slicing into fine strips. Finally, wrap the tortillas with aluminum foil and heat on the griddle pan or in a hot oven for a few minutes. Serve sliced steaks on warm tortillas, topped with the sautéed bell peppers and these classic sauces bellow. Add the garnishes and roll. Pico de Gallo 3 tomatoes ½ onion 2 green chilies ½ lime, juiced 1 teaspoon sugar fresh coriander or parsley, chopped salt Cut tomatoes into small cubes and finely dice onion and green chilies. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Leave to marinate for about 30 minutes to develop the flavor. Guacamole 1 ripe avocado ½ lime, juiced ¼ clove of garlic ½ small onion 1 green chili fresh coriander or parsley 1 tablespoon vegetable oil salt pepper Finely chop garlic, onion, green chili and coriander. Transfer into a bowl and mix with lime juice, salt, pepper and oil. The oil will help prevent the avocado from oxidizing. Scoop out the avocado with a spoon. Crush and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Jakarta-born chef Theodora Hurustiati, an 11-year resident of Udine, Italy, was the runner-up in the TV cooking program La Scuola – Cucina di Classe (The School: Classy Cooking) in 2011.
hospiTALITY
TAKING EVENTS TO A HIGHER LEVEL AT PARK LANE 8 – POOLSIDE
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oyal corporate clients have always been spoiled for choice with The Park Lane Jakarta’s six meeting rooms, two small rooms in the business center and a boardroom. Now, after 15 years in business, the five-star hotel strategically located in Kuningan, South Jakarta, is adding an exciting new function space to its already broad range of facilities. Journalists and F&B movers and shakers witnessed the launching of The Park Lane Jakarta’s new banquet room, The Park Lane 8, on Nov. 14. The recently opened room, build to optimize natural sunlight, boasts generous floor-to-ceiling windows and a covered terrace where guests can mingle over coffee or cocktails. “It is our pleasure to present this addition to our banquet facilities. Park Lane 8 has been designed for corporate meetings, workshops, conferences, birthday celebrations and weddings, and we tailor our services to the client specifications in order to make their events successful and productive,” The Park Lane Jakarta general manager Jon Richards said. Spacious enough to accommodate standing capacity of 500, the room is fitted with cutting edge audiovisual equipment, surround sound system, overhead projector and screen as well as complimentary Internet connection to
cater for various functions such as private parties, product launches, weddings and corporate events. The increasing demand for meeting space paved the way for Park Lane 8, and two additional smaller rooms set to open in 2014. “The Park Lane 8, in conjunction with the redevelopment of our swimming pool area and the addition of the Riva outdoor, undercover dining and lounge, will help to develop new business channels for the hotel and contribute to our continuing success,” Richards added. Park Lane 8 is the first meeting space to make use of natural light. Contemporary structure meets the great outdoors as the room overlooks the lagoon-style swimming pool with its entirely new landscape work. If desired, larger events can integrate the use of the room with the pool, which has a separate stage area. Dining at The Park Lane Jakarta is also changing with the times. Having held its last service night on Aug. 3, the establishment’s French bistro and bar Riva will present a grill, bar and terrace approach upon its reopening early next year. Acknowledged as a pioneer of wine dinners in Indonesia, the new Riva will have a spanking new bar and lounge as well as al fresco dining on two outdoor terraces, one of which faces the swimming pool. The new function room and restaurant refurbishment are only part of the wide-
scale renovations happening at The Park Lane Jakarta. All 280 guest rooms and 36 long-term residences have also undergone a makeover, ensuring a luxurious yet comfortable stay in the ever-changing metropolis. Among its many distinctions over the years, The Park Lane Jakarta holds a Certificate of Excellence 2013 from popular
travel website TripAdvisor. In July 2010, it was also the first fivestar accommodation in Indonesia to be certified an eco-hotel management system by TUV Rheinland. An extensive audit covering energy, waste, water and safety management confirmed the hotel’s exemplary efforts in minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment.
JPLUS November 17, 2013
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MILKING
well BEING
Photos: stock.xchng
its worth ARE CURRIES COOKED WITH COCONUT MILK BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH? WORDS MAJORIE CHIEW THE STAR/ANN/KUALA LUMPUR
NEW RESEARCH suggests that coconut milk, a vital ingredient in the traditional cuisine of Southeast Asia, can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation as it does have positive functions, according to French nutritional biochemist Professor Philippe Legrand who was in Kuala Lumpur recently. He reckoned that as a heritage ingredient in local cuisine, it would be a shame to lose the culinary tradition of using coconut, but said that it is important to draw up guidelines on the consumption of coconut milk so that people know the limit. In a paper he co-wrote with Vincent Rioux entitled, New Data, New Approach and New Guidelines for Saturated Fatty Acids (The case of coconut lipids), it was stated that observational studies have shown that a high intake (more than 15 percent of daily energy intake) of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) is positively associated with increased levels of blood cholesterol and high coronary heart disease mortality rates. Among the SFAs, myristic acid is said to be the most responsible for the increase in blood cholesterol level in animals and humans when provided at a high level, followed by lauric acid and palmitic acid. At moderate levels, there was no evidence for the deleterious effects of SFAs and especially myristic acid. The researchers found that in many countries, the recommended dietary intake of total saturated fat has cautiously been
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set at less than 8 percent to 10 percent of the daily energy intake. “Coconut milk (which has dietary saturated fatty acids) suffers from many misconceptions. With deeper study we begin to understand more about the role of different fats in the human diet and how they impact on health,” said Legrand, chairman of the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Human Nutrition in the Agronomic University of Rennes (Agrocampus), France. He is also chairman of the French Guidelines Committee for the fatty acid dietary recommendations in the Food Safety Agency. Legrand was in KL as part of the Asian tour to share research on fatty acids, including the revised French nutritional recommendations. “There are good health benefits in short and medium chain fatty acids in coconut milk that were previously overlooked or not properly understood,” he said. Dietary saturated fatty acids such as coconut milk are usually associated with negative consequences for health when consumed in excess because of their impact on atherosclerosis biomarkers, said Legrand. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries which occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. The saturated fats found in coconut milk and dairy products are medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) such as caprylic and capric
acids and longer chain fatty acids (LCFAs) such as lauric and myristic acids. Other long-chain fatty acids are more prevalent in meat and common plant sources like palm oil. A few decades ago, animal studies demonstrated that LCFAs were more likely to end up as fat deposits in the body and vessels compared with MCFAs, which were quickly metabolized by the liver. Differentiating saturated fatty acids “A large review of saturated fatty acids functions suggests that they cannot be considered as a single group anymore, in term of structure, metabolism and functions, including health considerations,” Legrand said. For more than 30 years, he has performed research on the fundamental aspects of fatty acid synthesis and
metabolism. He had studied the role of delta-(9)desaturase in adiposity and obesity in animals and humans. “Saturated fatty acids exhibit metabolic and physiological specificities, which differ between the different saturated fatty acids. Some of them have specific properties and important biochemical functions,” he said. With saturated fatty acids, Legrand felt it was important to differentiate between the subgroup of lauric, myristic and palmitic acids as these have traditionally been considered the ones that should not be consumed in excess. “For instance, myristic acid in coconut milk has new regulatory and signal functions. One feature of this fatty acid is its ability to acylate proteins, a reaction which is called N-terminal myristoylation, leading to various important cellular regulations,” he said.
Get the All-clear
FIBROIDS, OVARIAN CYSTS, UTERINE CANCER ... EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF SUCH GYNECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. ARE YOU GETTING THE REGULAR HEALTH SCREENING THAT YOU NEED?
TAKE CONTROL of your well-being now. Besides ensuring proper rest, nutrition and exercise, you can also safeguard your health by catching any troublesome issues early. This includes conditions that may affect the very essence which makes you a woman. Regular gynecological screening can help detect problems such as cancers or other conditions at an early stage so that the appropriate treatment can be administered. “The success rates of early intervention are much better than when the disease is in its advance stages,” says Dr. Quek Swee Chong, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore. “For example, the introduction of the Pap smear in the last century has reduced the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer by two-thirds.” The tests you need now What are the cancers and gynecological conditions that doctors screen for? They include the following: Cervical cancer If you are aged 25 to 69 and sexually active, a Pap smear once every three years is recommended. Other necessary screening tests are for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for the presence of cervical-cancer-causing HPV strains. Breast cancer If you have a family history of breast cancer, early screening through an ultrasound or mammogram is recommended. Otherwise, you should perform a regular breast self-
examination once you reach your 30s and have no family history of the disease. Ovarian cancer and uterine cancer “A family history or symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding, abdominal distension or bloating do call for tests for these illnesses,” says Dr. Quek. These include ultrasound scans, blood tests, tissue sampling or sometimes more advanced imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans. Other gynecological conditions like uterine fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts If you are experiencing pain and bleeding that’s not related to menstruation, you should see your doctor at once. Screening tests include an ultrasound scan of the pelvis, which can detect conditions like fibroids in the uterus, cysts in the ovaries, and polyps in the uterus lining. Best for your peace of mind Any screening you need should be done at regular intervals as no test is 100 percent accurate. Although you may encounter some discomfort with certain tests, this is far outweighed by the peace of mind you get, knowing you’re protecting your health.
Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore Patient Assistance Centre (Jakarta) Suite 908 Tamara Centre Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav.24 Jakarta 12920, Indonesia 24-Hour Helpline: (62) 811 942 720 Email: enquiry@parkway.co.id
personALITY
HERE’S
LOOKING AT YOU CANADIAN YOUTUBER SACHA STEVENSON IS SIMULTANEOUSLY SHOCKING AND PLEASING AS SHE PUTS INDONESIAN SOCIETY IN WHIMSICAL AND WACKY PERSPECTIVE.
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WORDS BRUCE EMOND
acha Stevenson is proud to announce that her “wardrobe” is ready for her next video blog production. But she’ll not be glamming up in a sequined gown from the designer du jour; rather, she’ll be dressing down in the “suster” nanny uniform spotted in suburban shopping malls and playgrounds around the city. Released last weekend, it is the 10th installment in Stevenson’s series of video blogs titled “How to act like an Indonesian”. The videos, which are preceded by the disclaimer, “Not all Indonesians act like this, but some do ... these are all things I have seen or heard in Indonesia”, are a tongue-in-cheek send-up of some of the realities of local life, such as the mass adoption of BlackBerry, bureaucratic wrangling in document processing and getting the wellmeaning runaround when asking directions from strangers. Stevenson, 30, had made vlogs before, but they were personal explorations of her experiences during 11 years in Indonesia: “I look back at them and think, so that was where I was three years ago,” she says. The “how to” vlogs have been a runaway success. Since she posted the first one in August, hundreds of thousands have tuned in to watch them,
especially after director Joko Anwar and screenwriter Monty Tiwo tweeted about her. Stevenson says she intended the videos to be of interest not only to foreigners coming to Indonesia, helping them put everything in perspective, but also to Indonesians in looking at their society. She was apprehensive about how the vlogs would be received – whether they would be seen as a foreigner’s snide and imperious viewpoint. After posting the first one, she quickly sought feedback from a longtime expatriate and her Indonesian boyfriend.
learned through the ugly cyber threats she receives from incensed viewers. “I’ve come to learn what trolls and haters are,” she says wryly. “But I haven’t had anyone come up to me and threaten me on the street, not that they would know who I am.” In one of her vlogs, in which she discusses her frustrations at being shortchanged at gas stations, she addresses those who ask her why she is “criticizing” Indonesia. Her answer is that loving something or someone also means being able to see their quirkier and less pretty sides.
“My expat friend was kind of in two minds, but my boyfriend said, go ahead, they’re good,” she says. To some, the irreverent vlogs are refreshing in that they delve beneath the surface. As one YouTube comment puts it: “These are some of the ugly facts, you’ve done a great thing, Sacha.” Naturally, as they show certain aspects that some may find embarrassing, the vlogs are not to everybody’s liking – as Stevenson has
Familiar Ground Stevenson came to Indonesia at age 19, expecting to teach English for a year and then move on to another country. On a low salary, she ate street food and rubbed shoulders with working-class Indonesians. To learn the language, she read the children’s magazine Bobo and studied the lyric notes on music albums (she is a great fan of rocker Iwan Fals). In one vlog, she has also discussed her adoption of Islam and previously wearing the hijab. After a year, she traveled to North Sumatra and promptly fell in love with the beauty of the Indonesian archipelago – warts and all. Particularly taken aback by the careless littering of the otherwise beautiful countryside, she came up with a way to draw attention to it – an inline
G HER OWN IN K A M T A H T S E SHE LIK CONTROL TO E H T R E H S E IV G VIDEOS A CHANCE D N A S E H IS W E EDIT AS SH S HER A E IV G O S L A IT ; ” TO “SHINE COME. RESPECTABLE IN
skating trip from Jakarta to Bali, planting trees along the way. That same sense of affection and concern for Indonesia infuses her vlogs. Despite being a self-described introvert, she is a natural in front of the camera. She likes that making her own videos gives her the control to edit as she wishes and a chance to “shine”; it also gives her a respectable income. Certainly, her videos are a far sight better than a TV travel show she did with a popular comedian and sidekick, in which she acted as the clueless bule and pretended she did not speak Indonesian. The success of the vlogs has attracted media attention, including TV talkshow appearances, and, she reveals excitedly, a possible book deal on her Indonesian experiences. There is also talk of another TV show, but she is understandably wary of going down that path again (she was unceremoniously fired from the previous show). And then there is the question of whether she will stay in Jakarta or move to another part of the country after she and her boyfriend marry this month. Either way, despite the Canadian maple printed on her name card, she’s planning to stay in Indonesia, now the country where she feels most comfortable. “I go back to Canada, but apart from being with family, I don’t really feel I am part of it,” she says. “I feel like Indonesia is home and where things are happening.”
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Cover STORY
SPARKLING CREATIVITY
ACTRESS-WRITER HAPPY SALMA AND SRI LUCE RUSNA, THE CREATIVE FORCES BEHIND CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY LABEL TULOLA, ARE PAYING HOMAGE TO INDONESIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE EXQUISITE PITA LOKA COLLECTION. WORD DITA AJANI PHOTOS TULOLA
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Cover STORY
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riends and business partner Happy Salma and Sri Luce Rusna often find the ideas for their collaborations for Tulola during chats over coffee. “We have a lot of discussions and brainstorming and I let Sri knows my inspirations, which she transforms into her jewelry designs,” explains Happy. “And I am always surprised with what Sri comes up with. Our collaboration is like school; we are both learning about new things and the forgotten history of Indonesia.” It was during one recent coffee morning that Happy, who is deeply passionate about the country’s rich and colorful past, recounted the tale of the Bubat War in 1367 and beautiful Sundanese princess Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi. The story reveals the betrayal that befell Princess Pitaloka after accepting the offer of marriage from Hayam Wuruk, King of Majapahit. At the Bubat estate, the supposed wedding venue, the princess and her family were attacked and defeated by Hayam Wuruk’s viceroy, Gajah Mada, and his army. To defend her honor and the pride of her kingdom, Princess Pitaloka took her own life. “What was intriguing about the story was how the Pitaloka character had transcended the ages as the myth of Nyi Roro Kidul or the goddess of the sea,” says Sri. “It was her human experience of love, loss and death, as well as her emotional and spiritual
evolution of that ending in her reincarnation as the sea goddess, that inspired the collection.” Happy and Sri traveled to Bandung and immersed themselves in Sundanese culture, poring over the extant historical fragments about Pitaloka prior to creating the collection. “Happy was able to source an ancient poem written in Sundanese Sanskrit, which was composed as a song. She then recorded it as the theme song for the Pita Loka Exhibition,” says Sri. Works of Art Tulola elegantly revives the heartbreaking Pitaloka tale into a series of gorgeous jewelry pieces. “The designs are very personal and they express a woman’s feelings like strength, sadness and beauty,” says Happy. “So anyone who wears the collection will feel different according to her personality.” Without a doubt, compared to Tulola’s previous collections, the Pita Loka series presents more highly complex design forms that not only showcase the label’s sophisticated persona but also its brilliant innovative ability. “We focused on developing unusual styles of the traditional subeng earrings. We worked with custom crafted crystals
to create crystal spheres and spikes as the central components of the designs,” says Sri. “We were also able to develop a very highly complex mechanism that allowed us to craft subeng using lattice lace and very fine motifs.” As a literal representation of Pitaloka in her reincarnation as the sea goddess, lovely pearls and mother of pearls are used as the main materials of the series, which comprises pendants and necklaces, rings and eclectic subeng. “I focused on the iridescent white color of the pearls as a symbol of Pitaloka’s spiritual journey,” explains Sri. “And we selected pearls and mother of pearls from the southern seas of Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Lombok.” Stylish Tribute The Tulola Pita Loka Exhibition was officially opened on Saturday at DIA.LO.GUE Art Space in Kemang, South Jakarta. From the breathtaking performance by a dancer wearing a costume exclusively made by Biasa clothing, an attractive video art presentation by artist Jasmine Suteja, the haunting Sundanese live music recital and of course the fabulous handcrafted jewelry
pieces – all would certainly make Princess Pitaloka proud. “I hope many people come and can appreciate the hard work of Tulola, and are able learn to love and respect Indonesian jewelry motifs because Indonesia has millions of unique designs,” says Happy of the exhibition, held from Nov. 17-Nov. 25. The one thing that separates Tulola from other similar jewelry labels is the unique blend of cultures and heritage that make up the founding members. “Tulola is an Indonesian label but we are also international at the same time. Much like Happy and myself,” says Sri, who has an American father and Balinese mother. Tulola’s trademark design walks a fine line between ethnic traditional and modern, in which Sri explains. “Our collections playfully cross these boundaries to explore something new. By focusing the collection in using sterling silver materials dipped in 18k Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum, Tulola is able to produce high quality yet affordable collections. Happy and Sri are keen on developing Tulola jewelries as aesthetic objects that can be widely treasured. “We have many ideas ready for 2014 and we certainly will continue to have fun and enjoy our journey in Tulola,” says Happy. Tulola Pita Loka Exhibition Nov. 17-Nov. 25, 2013 DIA.LO.GUE Art Space Jl. Kemang Selatan 99a South Jakarta www.shoptulola.com
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A la MODE
GENDER BENDING Androgyny is always a fashionable, off-beat topic. Interestingly, the future of dressing looks increasingly ambivalent – about gender, that is, not style.
Photos Fransisca Angela, Jakarta Fashion Week, AFP, AP
WORDS WILLY WILSON
Wearing The Pants MEN WEARING skirts sounds may sound like eyebrow-raising cross-dressing to us, but it wasn’t always so. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews and Egyptians proudly wore tunics and sarongs, and the Anglo Saxons donned skirted garments (and of course the Scottish contribution of the kilt to menswear). The preference for a dressed-down sober suit, plain shirts and ties in the Western world – and subsequently the whole world – only came around in the middle of 20th century. There have since been attempts at eliminating sartorial differences between men and women in the modern era, most notably during the counterculture turmoil of the 1960s. In practice though, it was really about women wearing men’s clothes (and that has proved more acceptable). While Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich are the Hollywood moodboard staples for this look, it was Coco Chanel who pioneered the unisex look for women, appropriating men’s suits as part of women’s wardobe in the 1920s and 1950s. Let’s not forget that both world wars had a significant impact on the way women dressed; The fact that men went to war meant that women had to fill in for them in factories, postal service
and other men-only jobs, calling for comfortable clothing like pants and shirts. The 1970s and ‘80s led to the advent of such controversial androgynous icons as David Bowie (remember that colorful leotard?), Prince, Boy George trich ne Die Marle and Grace Jones, as well as Helmut Newton’s erotic images of women in dress suits. Today’s androgynous icon is Tilda Swinton, who favors more streamlined pieces. On the runway, Marc Jacobs and Haider Ackermann are jumping on the androgynous bandwagon with a combination of satin bomber jacket and traditional pleated pants for their 2014 Men Spring Summer collections. Taking it a step further is Ricardo Tisci, who came up with culottes and magging (man’s legging, that is) for Givenchy. Closer to home, budding designers Patrick Owen and Tex Saverio showcased structured pieces and impeccably tailored pants for women at 2014 Jakarta Fashion Week.
Tex Saverio
Patrick Owen
Tilda Swinto n
Attention Getters (Part II)
Anisa, Marketing Executive
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JPLUS November 17, 2013
Riri Siahaan, Editor
YOU’VE SEEN the first four (out of seven) stylish people we spotted at the 2014 Jakarta Fashion Week in last week’s A la Mode. Now check out the remaining Dominique Diyose, Model members of the pack and see how their personal style can inspire you!
Givenchy/Spring Summer 2014
Haider Ackermann/Spring Summer 2014
kapanlagi.com
LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT
firm FAVORITES
Vanity Case Lipstick: MAC-Angel, amazing soft pink that always stands out on my face and makes me look youthful. Fragrance: Francis D Kurdjian and Chanel Allure, somehow works like a charm. Must-have makeup: Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow Smoke 24 used on eyebrows, NEVER go out without my eyebrows done. Mascara: I don’t use mascara, I use false lashes for the same effect. Eyeliner is more important, my choice is MAC Graphblack Technakohl Liner. Moisturizer: Fiori di Capri from Carthusia or Dove Body Silk Lotion. Shampoo: TreSemme. Skin care: For the face, Clinique. I am their brand influencer ambassador.
SARA DJOJOHADIKUSUMO spent most of her life abroad (her father is tycoon Hashim Djojohadikusumo), but her return to Indonesia included a role in the patriotic Independence War-themed Merah Putih (Merah Putih) trilogy of movies. The co-host of the weekly Sunday morning English-language talk show, Talk Indonesia, holds a golden dream for the future. “I would like to win an Oscar, become a household name in Hollywood and be an ambassador of good values,” Sara says.
At Ease Favorite Movie: Cloud Atlas. Music: Worship music (Hillsong, Cece Winans, JPCC Worship/True Worshippers, WOW Hits Album anything to remind me of how good God is).
Indulgences Watch: No one particular favorite. Accessories and jewelry: Andrianna from Bali or gifts from parents, but a must is my engagement ring ;)
Connections
Breakfast or Brunch: Rasa Restaurant in Hotel Intercontinental or Monolog in Plaza Senayan.
Camera: Nikon D90 (SLR) or from my Samsung Note2 phone. Laptop: Mac Book Pro. Cell phone: Samsung Note 2. Gadget of choice: Android. Social media fave: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Sweet treat: Monggo: 58% Dark Chocolate Shop: Kinokuniya (I’m a bookworm). Casual wear: If I could wear my skinny jeans (Bebe or Guess), T-shirt and sandals (FitFlops) or “Marnova” ballerina flats everywhere, I would.
Book: That’s why they call Him the Savior by Max Lucado, For This I Was Born by Brian Houston. Dinner spot: The Grill at MidpLaza Hangout haunt: Yellowfin in Senopati, Bacchus in Hotel Intercontinental and Senayan City.
Bags: Louis Vuitton. Biggest splurge: Skin care in EuroSkinLab and my bracelet from John Hardy. Car: My first car is my favorite, the BMW 325 Ci convertible. Artworks: Mohammed from Bali is my favorite artist. I also collect Mas Padhik. Salon or Spa: Carina Salon for hair and nails; Ayana, Alila Uluwatu, and Hotel Intercontinental Jakarta for spa. Travel destination: London, LA and Singapore. DisneyWorld is a must every few years. Dream holidays are to the Maldives and a safari in Africa. Luggage: Diane Von Furstenberg and American Tourister.
beAUTY
MASCARA POINTERS Photo: The Daily Star
EYES ARE the most expressive and prominent features in a face. Bearing this in mind, you need to accentuate your eyes in the best possible manner, either in a natural or a dramatic look, whichever suits the occasion. Mascara works wonders, but use them according to your eye type. If you have close set eyes, it is advised to apply mascaras slightly more on the outer lashes of the eyes. Care needs to be taken while applying multiple coats as a new coat on dry mascara results in clumps. For thin eyelashes, opt for “thickening” mascaras. For a more dramatic look, mascaras can be applied to the lower eyelashes. Two types of mascara can be used one after the other to bring about an intense effect. Mascaras serving a variety of purposes, such as long-lasting, conditioning and waterproof mascaras are widely available. Colored mascaras have been the hype since last year. Those who prefer boldness can wear teal, purple, sage-green or blue, while those who want to remain in their comfort zones can opt for navy-blue, burgundy and other deeper hues. +The Daily Star/ANN/Dhaka
JPLUS November 17, 2013
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wanderLUST
MEET ME IN MELBOURNE
MULTICULTURAL, MELBOURNE BRIMS WITH GALLERIES, CAFES, RESTAURANTS AND A LIFESTYLE THAT GIVE AUSTRALIA’S SECOND-LARGEST CITY A DISTINCTLY EUROPEAN FEEL.
R
Photos: Bloomberg, Reuters, Marcella Purnama
WORD ROSELINA PRESS/REUTERS
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JPLUS November 17, 2013
ated as the world’s most liveable city for three years in a row by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Melbourne is the birthplace of Australian film, a designated UNESCO City of Literature and home to a flourishing art scene. On a large bay on Australia’s southeast coast and near scenic wine estates, the city of more than 4 million people spreads out from the Central Business District (CBD) to lively inner neighborhoods such as Fitzroy, Carlton and St Kilda. (Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uxiFH) Many attractions in the CBD are within walking distance of each other and getting around is easy by taxi or a network of trains, buses and trams. Listings of shows, concerts and events can be found at www.au.timeout.com/melbourne, melbourne. wheremagazines.com.au, www.thatsmelbourne.com.au and www.onlymelbourne.com.au. STATE OF THE ARTS For some of Melbourne’s major cultural attractions, make your way to Federation Square opposite Flinders Street Station in the CBD. The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, The Ian Potter Centre and the No Vacancy
Project Space, which features emerging artists, are especially worth a visit. On Saturdays from 11 a.m., bibliophiles gather at the Federation Square book market in the Atrium. Immerse yourself in underground culture with a walking tour of laneways splashed with colorful murals and edgy pieces. Street art is scattered throughout the CBD but highlights include Blenders Lane, Croft Alley, Union Lane, Centre Place, Rutledge Lane and especially Hosier Lane. The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas at 176 Little Lonsdale Street is the centrepiece of Melbourne’s UNESCO City of Literature initiative. It runs literary events most weekdays, many of them free. (www.wheelercentre.com) Beneath the Wheeler Centre is Moat, a bar and cafe with an urbane attitude. Borrow a novel from the bookshelf and unwind with a drink. The State Library of Victoria at 328 Swanston Street houses more than 2 million books but goes beyond the printed page with historical objects like the armor of famous outlaw Ned Kelly. There are also free art exhibitions in the library’s galleries. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Rose Street Artists’ Market is where locals go to stroll among the eclectic mix of stalls
wanderLUST and people. From Collins Street in the CBD, take the 112 tram north to Fitzroy and get off at 60 Rose Street. See a play at The Malthouse Theatre at 113 Sturt Street in South Melbourne. Built in 1892 as a brewery and malting works, it offers a year-round program of contemporary Australian theater. Book ahead. (www.malthousetheatre.com.au) CAFE SOCIETY Central Melbourne teems with coffee shops and breakfast options but you can’t go wrong at The Hardware Societe at 120 Hardware Street, a cozy spot with contemporary French fare. Or start the day with latte art at Manchester Press on Rankins Lane. This welcoming cafe is known for quirky, arty lattes that make ordinary coffee look tiresome. The all-day breakfast menu is excellent too. A perfect hideaway for lunch is MoVida, a Spanish tapas bar amid the street art on Hosier Lane. It is bustling every day and bookings, often months in advance, are essential. If you’re the spontaneous type, the walk-in tapas bar MoVida Next Door is just around the corner on Flinders Street. At the State Library, have lunch at Mr Tulk, a cafe named after its first librarian. The polished timber and communal table give it a sophisticated but laid-back vibe. Lingering over your meal with a good book is not frowned upon here. For dinner, try Chin Chin on 125 Flinders Lane, which serves up a modern and playful take on Asian street food. Be sure to peer out the windows – every night Chin Chin runs a contemporary video art space in adjacent Higson Lane. Cumulus Inc at 45 Flinders Lane is a hit with its modern European menu. It also
has tempting gluten-free options. For a taste of Melbourne’s ethnic diversity, try Lebanese pizza or cheese pie at the A1 Bakery at 643-645 Sydney Road in Brunswick. In Chinatown, dig into traditional dishes at Sichuan House at 2226 Corrs Lane. South American flavors are on the menu at the Newmarket Hotel at 34 Inkerman Street in St Kilda. Meat lovers will be in their element at Station Hotel at 59 Napier Street in Footscray, La Luna Bistro at 320 Rathdowne Street in Carlton North or Pei Modern at 45 Collins Street. Seafood is the speciality at Richmond Oysters at 437-441 Church Street in Richmond and Rubiras at Swallows at 192 Station Street in Port Melbourne. Vegetarians and vegans will feel at home at The Vegie Bar at 380 Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. It is a funky, busy spot for lunch or dinner. For more sophisticated vegetarian dining, try award-winning Attica at 74 Glen Eira Road in Ripponlea. KNOCK BACK A DRINK For an open-air drink, climb the winding stairwell to Rooftop Bar in Curtin House at 252 Swanston Street. The bar, seven floors up, doubles as a cinema in warmer months and offers impressive nighttime city views year round. No visit to Melbourne would be complete without dropping by a laneway bar. Top spots include Loop at 23 Meyers Place, Bar Americano at 20 Presgrave Place and Cabinet Bar & Balcony at 11 Rainbow Alley. For more discerning drinkers, The Melbourne Supper Club at Level 1, 161 Spring Street has an encyclopaedic list of wine, spirits and beer, attentive staff and an elegant ambiance. Upstairs is the rooftop
bar Siglo to take in the views overlooking Parliament House and light up a cigar. For live music, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club at 25 Bennetts Lane is open every night with a line-up of world-class international and national jazz musicians. The Corner Hotel at 57 Swan Street in Richmond is an icon of Melbourne’s music scene with big names - including Ben Harper, David Gilmour, Crowded House and Mick Jagger – having played there over the years. (www.cornerhotel.com) WORTH CHECKING OUT For wine lovers, Melbourne is just an hour or so from the vineyards and wineries
of the Yarra Valley, Sunbury, Macedon Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Geelong regions. Several companies run roundtrip day tours so there’s no need to worry about drinking and driving. If you’ve never seen the fast and furious contact sport that is Australian Rules Football, Melbourne has nine professional “footy” teams that play from March to September and it hosts the annual Grand Final to determine the national champions. Cricket and rugby are also hugely popular. If you’re visiting in January, don’t miss the Australian Open, the first grand slam tennis tournament of the year. Water plays a big part of Melbourne’s history and identity, so consider a cruise along the Yarra River that runs through the city or a sail on Port Phillip Bay that leads to the ocean.
JPLUS November 17, 2013
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culture VULTURE
SPACE TO CREATE TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CULTURE WILL PREVAIL AS LONG AS THEIR PRACTITIONERS ARE SUPPORTED IN THEIR CREATIVE ENDEAVORS. THAT IS THE AIM OF THE “MEET THE MAKERS” EVENT.
WORDS KINDRA COOPER
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JPLUS November 17, 2013
culture VULTURE
H
eld for the eighth time from Nov. 21-23 at KOI Gallery Kemang, the handmade crafts show “Meet the Makers” brings together artisans from across the archipelago to exhibit their wares and demonstrate to buyers how items are wrought manually using methods cascaded over generations. From hand-woven textiles and fine art batik – which can take months to make – to ceramics and handmade shadow puppets, the cultural compendium is cross-fertilization for buyers to learn about the context of Indonesian heritage and for traditional craftsmen to glean modern market demands. “We call it modern heritage – so it’s heritage but with a modern aesthetic, which is slightly different and with a different market,” explained Maria Cristina Guerrero, executive director of Non-Timber Forest Products, one of five NGOs that jointly owns Borneo Chic. The Kemangbased shop sells the water-reed mats, rattan baskets and naturally dyed textiles made by Dayak tribespeople of Kalimantan, a distribution channel through which artisans in outlying regions can market their products in Jakarta while catering to tried-and-tested markets back home. Presented with opportunity, craftsmen are galvanized to up production standards and observe market segmentation: traditional tenun ikat (woven cloth) for instance, still thrives as a souvenir commodity, but for it to be commercially viable requires functional adaptation to modern lifestyles, such as using the cloth to make laptop and eye glass cases, notebook covers and other everyday items. NGOs work in the field with the craftspeople to demonstrate how to create value-added designs, such as by incorporating water-reed mats with leather and brass to make handbags. “Often people ask ‘Why are these things so expensive?’ But they don’t understand that to make something like that […] takes months,” Guerrero explains. “We really need a special place not to introduce our product but to educate the people to appreciate art and culture. That’s the main point,” concurs Harriadi Mardoyo, owner of Rumah Pekunden Ceramics, one of the slated speakers at the event’s opening seminar. This year’s Meet the Makers will feature 18-20 artisans, including several profiled below. Harriadi Mardoyo, Potter Growing up at the foot of a hill in Semarang, Central Java, on his way home from school Harriadi would dig his fingers into cracks on the rock face to find water. Shoehorning deeper, he discovered clay, and also his calling. Harriadi, a civil engineer, built his own kiln based on a photograph in a pottery magazine. The monstrous contraption in his studio at his Javanese joglo in Depok can fire up to 400 ceramic pieces at one time. Other ownbrand devices include the “jigger”, a press mold operated by foot, which he uses to shape plates, lamp stands, water jugs, vases, canisters and more, and onto which he handdraws batik and oriental-leaning floral motifs derived from textiles and batik literature. Product placement is
purposely restricted – there are sporadic exhibitions at malls, modest shelf space at Grand Indonesia cultural emporium Alun Alun, but no physical outlet. “Based on our experience, even if we exhibit at the mall, people will be more appreciative if they come here so they can see the whole production process. This is the hunting process,” Harriadi’s son, Bregas Harrimardoyo, who helps run Rumah Pekunden, said at his studio. Visitors learn about the entire creation process, from processing the clay from powdered minerals and churning it in a large urn to chiseling designs. Then comes the first firing to solidify the mold, glazing to apply color, and then glaze firing to finish. Now in his 70s, Harriadi still mines
“WE REALLY NEED A SPECIAL PLACE NOT TO INTRODUCE OUR PRODUCT BUT TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE ART AND CULTURE. THAT’S THE MAIN POINT” his artistic identity with the zeal of a newly self-aware artist. “Most craftsmen don’t take the time to build their identity; it’s easier just to copy,” says the potter. “[Late batik designer] Iwan Tirta once said that in batik, we don’t need patents because no two designs can be the same if they’re handmade.” Agus Ismoyo, Batikmaker A founding member of Meet the Makers, Ismoyo established the coalition to help struggling artists, craftspeople and designers achieve financial independence – although he shirks the notion of monetization. “We were having difficulties selling our wares and the economy was diminishing while the prices of materials increased. We are culturally-minded, and I think it’s important to be able to commercialize the culture – not industrializing the craft but creating a livelihood for the
craftsmen so that they can be independent and be proud of what they do,” said Ismoyo. He will showcase wearable art pieces, a commercialleaning product line run as an income supplement for his Jogja-based label Brahma Tirta Sari, which he adamantly distinguishes from the brand’s art pieces. Cultural art, he says, is a “perpetuation of the culture, and for the artist personally it is a visual manifestation of intangible values.” Batik’s acknowledgement in UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list, he says, signifies that batik does not recognize brand names – “it is about the batik process itself and not who makes it.” Grasiana “Yana” Wani, Weaver Yana is from a proud family tradition of weavers; her mother, Sisilia Sii, is featured in Weaver’s Stories from Island Southeast Asia by Roy Hamilton, a senior curator of the Fowler Museum’s Asian and Pacific Collections. Sii had never woven cloth commercially when, widowed young, it became her lifeline in supporting four children. Although Sii’s mother died before she had the chance to learn nggaja and samba weaving reserved for senior women, Sii said her mother visited her in a dream and taught her vicariously. Yana is following in their footsteps. “It has been passed down by my ancestors until now – three generations. In my community, the women weave,” Yana said. The Baduy, Indigenous Tribespeople The Baduy community have been invited to exhibit their weavings and bags at Meet the Makers, but as is their custom, they will not use transportation to get there; they will set off on foot three to five days beforehand. They use only plant-based indigo dyes in textile-making; their clothes are a uniform of blue-and-white stripes, with stripe width earmarking social status. “The inner Baduy don’t have much contact with the outer world and they depend on everything that they do with what nature provides them. So they’re here to share their story,” explained Guerrero.
JPLUS November 17, 2013
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20/ 20
ACTOR Reza Rahadian is all of 26 years old but has already snagged two Citra acting honors for his skills. Don’t put it down to his brooding good looks; it’s his acting prowess and dedication that have brought him kudos. Reza, whose dream is to open a film museum, is working on an untitled film with producer Mira Lesmana slated for an early 2014 release.
My vision of ultimate success … Making everything I do a foundation for my career and my life. I believe that every piece of art gives rise to a new piece of art.
My best trait … The fact that sometimes I don’t know myself [laughs].
My career has taught me … The value of life. In film, the stories are diverse and the characters come from different backgrounds and I find myself having to plunge into situations that I have and have not experienced before.
And worst … I’m very temperamental. The role I really want to play … I want to be a rocker, for instance one of the vocalists of Slank or something a little hardcore.
Illustration: Felicita Goentoro
The person who knows me best describes me as … Stubborn, a perfectionist, loyal, not wasteful and firm. The film that inspired me to pursue acting … Lion King. It’s one of the films I still remember until now, the whole story, because it impacted me as an actor to become a lot of different things, to be able to embody a range of different vocals that underpin a character.
“I WOULD LIKE TO PLAY A ROCKER” talk of THE TOWN
What makes me laugh … Seeing someone slip. Sorry, but sometimes it’s so funny! Or seeing someone walk into a glass door. Oh my God, I cannot handle it; I have to laugh out loud. I would love to be stuck in a lift with … Eva Longoria [laughs]. She’s hot and I like her skin tone. People don’t know that I … Am a loner. I just go to a place, wear a hat so nobody sees me, and I sit and write. I write in a journal.
I am proudest of … Realizing my mother’s hopes and dreams through my work and making her proud of me.
What motivates me … Remembering how hard my mother has worked for me and my brothers. She’s a single mother, that’s why we really adore her so much. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be … Selling something. When I was 13 I sold ballpoint pens I’d won from playing games at Timezone to hotels for Rp 5,000-10,000 apiece so that I could buy a Gameboy camera. I just walked into the lobby and said to people “Do you want a pen?” Something I will never do again … Walk barefoot in the mall. My sandals broke and one of my friends ran to the store but they were closed already so I had to walk barefoot all the way from PIM Street Gallery to the PIM 1 parking area. It was so far and people were like [makes goggling face]. If I could change one thing about myself … I would be less ambitious. I’m so driven to prove something and to make other people proud that sometimes I forget to [ask myself] “Are you happy doing this or not?” + Kindra Cooper
Time to celebrate fine wine and art
Yudi Wanandi, Miko Puji, Yulia & Doni Wanandi, Elwis Joy Dani & Widya Wanandi, Rheimer & Thias Simorangkir, Yulia & Doni Wanandi
Seiko Anniversary Seminar
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JPLUS November 17, 2013
Vanessa & Tom Morris, Dan & Kristel Maroszek, Mark Townsend, Charlotte Wesley & Stuart Marsden
VIN+ Seminyak Opening WINE AND GOOD cheer were the chosen tipples of the evening as everybody’s favorite one-stop wine venue opened for business in scintillating Seminyak, Bali. A good time was enjoyed by all as the gathering continued late into the night.
Ambassador of Brazil Paulo Alberto da Silveira Soares and madame
Kunstkring’s James de Rave
Jakarta Biennale 2013 Opening
Photos: Felicita Goentoro
SEIKO GOLDMEISTERS displayed their microscopic-sized watchmaking mastery at Grand Hyatt Jakarta. Among the attendees were JETRO president Tomiyoshi Kenichi, UNSADA rector Oloan Siahaan, Cooperatives & Small & Medium Enterprises Ministry representative Pariaman Sinaga, Seiko Watch Corporation president & CEO Shinji Hattori, PPIJ chief Rachmat Gobel, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Japan to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori and Matshushita Gobel Foundation chairman Jusman Syafii Djamal.
THE JAKARTA art community packed the basement parking area of Teater Jakarta for the opening of Jakarta Biennale 2013. After a greeting from Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the crowd headed underground to witness the 15th edition of the biannual international contemporary art exhibition. Governor Joko Widodo