The Instrument Builders Project: An Australia-Indonesia artistic collaboration

An extraordinary collection of innovative musical instruments and sound installations has been created from the imaginations of eight Australian and Indonesian sound artists and instrument builders working side-by-side in Yogyakarta.

The instruments and artworks were made as part of the Instrument Builders Project (IBP) and are now on display at iCAN. The participants have collaborated over several weeks to conceptualise, build, perform and exhibit the new works.

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty, said the Instrument Builders Project was part of the embassy’s busy Arts and Cultural Program 2014 and was also supported by the Australia Indonesia Institute.

“This project demonstrates the strength of people-to-people connections between Australia and Indonesia. It is an outstanding example of how the arts and culture can be used to deepen understanding and create new professional and personal ties,” the Ambassador said.

“Personal and cultural relationships really are the ballast in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. I hope this project signals the beginning of enduring creative relationships between the artists involved,” Mr Moriarty said.

The works include experimental musical instruments, sound sculptures, installations, conceptual and instructional works, and live art.
Tintin Wulia is an Indonesian artist based in Brisbane. She created “Odong-Odong Dang Ding”, in which tandem bikes have been modified to hold one of Indonesia’s traditional musical instruments, the angklung.

The IBP was curated by Kristi Monfries and Joel Stern. It features the work of Peter Blamey, Mas Wibowo, Caitlin Franzmann, Dale Gorfinkel, Jompet Kuswidananto, Bagus Pandega, Wukir Suryadi and Tintin Wulia. The project also includes a public program of concerts, exhibitions, workshops and talks.

The Australian Embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014 runs from March through to November and includes concerts, visual art exhibitions, dance, literature, fashion, sport and a science and innovation roadshow. The program also includes arts residencies and exchanges involving artists from both countries.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is also generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Australia Indonesia Institute, the University of Tasmania, the Northern Territory Government, Queensland University of Technology, the Victorian Government, Curtin University, Deakin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland.

Media Enquiries (not for publication):
Vicki Miller, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304