" From Shantou With Works!"

Taking place in MAMIPO ( Malang Meeting Point ) , Jl. Kediri 4, a photo exhibition can be seen from April 23 until May 15 , 2010. A group of students from Shantou University, Guandong, China, present around 50 photos of their work. Some photos were taken in Bangladesh, USA, and China it self. This exhibition has become interesting since their work telling more than just a shoot.
Make sure you come there before May 15 , 2010 !

( Photo taken in the gallery by : Titiek Hariati )

Cultural-Tour, Kidal & Jago Temple.

A trip to 12th century will introduce you to the beauty of the Kidal Temple and Jago Temple in 

T U M P A N G, about 20km east Malang. Temple or in bahasa Indonesia, C A N D I , is one of the most valuable Indonesia's cultural heritage. Two reputable kingdoms in Malang region in the earlier centuries, Singasari and Kanjuruhan, had several temples left behind us as a reminder. Reminder of their glory and their great culture.

The elder temple, Candi Kidal in Kidal village, was built to commemorate their beloved King Anusapati on his 12th year-dead. Another temple, Candi Jago, was built about 50 years after, by his son. The stone-carvings in its walls will show you more about their habit, tradition etc.

So, are you ready for this cultural trip?

( Photos by : Titiek Hariati )

Up to down :

01. Candi Kidal, upper floor.

02. Candi Jago.

03. Candi Jago, upper floor.

City Hall of Malang, East Java

Well-known as Paris van Java, Malang city, East Java, has several iconical buildings to mark its 
" glory in the past " for both Indonesian and Dutch. Glory for Indonesian means the bravery of our heroes against the Dutch-imperialism for more than 3 centuries. One of the icon is Malang City Hall, located in jalan Tugu, Alun Alun Bunder, Malang.

This building was built under the Dutch-administration. Just in front of it, there is a historical monument so called TUGU which was established in 1946. In December 1948, this Tugu was destroyed by the Dutch since they worried of its spirit which could arose Indonesian's rebellion against them.

In 1950 a committee tried to rebuild this monument and finally it could be finished in 1953. In May 1953, this monument was inaugurated by the 1st president of Indonesia, SOEKARNO and were attended by hundreds thousand of people who adored him . The city-hall it self still well-maintenanced and keep many original things as it were.

A 30 minute-tour through its lobby, balcony, rooms etc will bring us into the memorable history of Malang City. Last but not least, a magnificence panorama of the TUGU surrounding by hundreds of beautiful lotus in the pool is awaiting for you in city-hall's balcony. So have fun unlike anywhere else in Malang !

( Photos by : Titiek Hariati )

01. City Hall, Malang.
02. Lobby.
03. Jalan Tugu, in front of the City Hall.

The Peacefuly Perfomance of The Maestro : Karimoen.

Sunday, February 14, 2010, Valentine and Chinese New Year were luckily on the same day ! Cheerfuly faces everywhere.....On the same day at 20.00 pm, in a small village about 20km south of Malang, Kedung Ombo, Pakisaji, villagers were on a deep mourning, every body was crying.. One of the villager, Karimoen, 110 years old mask-artist has died. Karimoen was not only belongs to Kedung Ombo, but also Indonesia.

Karimoen or more populer with " Mbah Moen " was an extra-ordinary and modest personality who dedicated every single drop of his blood to glorify the Malang-mask-art both the mask-dance and the mask-carving including its philosophy.

He spent the whole of his life to introduce and develop mask-dancing and carving in his own style. We can say Kedung Monggo style, Karimoen style. His unbreakable spirit to develop this mask-art was admirable , even when he must stayed in wheel-chair and bed since 1995 after the unexpected accident. His hard-working in mask-art had won a special-award from Indonesian government in 2009 and also MURI.

In fact, Malang actually also has another mask-village, where we can found several great mask-artists like : mbah Rasimun ( alm ), mbah Jakimin, mbah Gimun and Soetrisno. But still, Karimoen remained as an unique artist among them. His charisma in performing Klono Dance for example, was always the outstanding one. Also his magnificence talent in mask-carving and " ngendang " ( a Javanese music instrument to accompany people to dance ) .

Karimoen was buried down by the small river and shady valley in Karangpandan, Pakisaji, Malang, East Java. A very green and peaceful area. His dreams should be maintained and developed by his children, grandchildren, students and everybody who love traditional-art, no matter if you are black or white... His totaly dedication towards the tradition, culture and art should inspired everybody to do the same to keep the world always in its beautiful spirit and peace .

May GOD give mbah Moen the best stage to perform his eternally mask-dance. Amen.

( Photos and Indonesia-version of this article can be seen on the same blog ) :

01. The burial of mbah Moen ( taken from : Foto Antara/Ari BowoSucipto/Koz/mes/10 )

02. Mak Yam, Siti Mariam, Karimoen's second and last wife, whom Karimoen married since 1986, with her longblack hair 

( Photos by : TH )