OCTOBER 1990

INFORMATION LETTER

Dear friends!

Again this standardized letter from my traveling office. Forgive me! First a little update: From April to May we built a small wing on the left side of the house and finished the money, a little more than we had, but my mother helped. And Sija's production grew to a local success and was performed many times for different temple festivals. We received two more donation from Pak Boediardjo and Richard Lanier.

What to do next?

We would like to see our Center expanding and to be alive. Our Center should be the Village Bona, our house the headquarter. Bona is poor like all other villages and eager to sell out, to people with money. Right now Balinese worship Japanese Yen. There is enough land for hotels, swimming pools, supermarkets and banks. And soon it will look like all the other tourist places. The `spirit' is sold, the performances empty, but richly presented. And our idea is squashed. How can we protect them and us? On Sija's land is still an empty lot, which he is offering to anybody who wants to build something in relationship to art. We think we should be in control of that building, not a smart businessman who pretends to help, but thinks of sales. But are we, who managed so far alone and beautifully, strong enough to continue by ourselves? I myself am already broke and spending time in Bona deprives me of income, even for travel expenses. So we discussed, to find two, three or four 'rich` sponsors, who privately, not through their companies would donate $ 50.000. $ 100.000 to complete the house on the empty lot for the purpose of housing, a little bit more comfortably, theatre scholars and anthropologists who want to research Bali and its tradition. Additionally we should lease the land next to the house for twenty years and reserve as a performance space, or small houses for more people to sleep. And we would like to inspire a yearly theatre festival in Bona by foreign artists, similar to Tanaka Min's farm or other alternative places. These performance should be for visitors to Bali from all over the world. An infrastructure to supply audience exists. We are not dreaming. We know money has to be made to cover expenses. We think that research studies and festivals could lead to publications in whatever form, books, paintings, records, films. This can be sold. And other product coming from artists there as well. But a non-for-profit philosophy should be strictly observed. That means: The Center is free for guests. The Center can not be bought or sell. People who stay must work / study. Non-for-profit principle should be applied, that means covering costs only. So far we are able to produce traditional Balinese arts, supply individual artists facilities to eat, sleep and work, inspire collaborations and study with Balinese or foreign artists. What we can not do is house elderly people, scholars, supply them with media equipment and research help, and undertake a festival. We cannot really ask foundations for assistance.

See the chart of our possible dream version: What does it cost? The new building: appr. $ 20.000 simple version $ 40.000 more comfort

Media equipment: app. $ 5.000 video, editing, tapes,

Lease of land: app. $ 5.000

four little houses $ 8.000

running expense $ 15.000 for 3 years

for the bank $ 20.000

festivals, problems, ---------------

$ 73.000 - 93.000

What do you think?

Can we do it ourselves again, or we better find help? And what should be first, second and third? After all spending one week in Tokyo and seeing what life costs each day, we are not talking about much money.

Who can do what?

We suggest so far: For the new house, since it has to do with scholarly aspects, Rick Emmert would be good, for festivals maybe to consider Kazue Kobata who has experience with Min Tanaka, for publication Nakajima Yukari and friends, for the local aspects Pak Sija for tradition, Manuel for individual artists and collaborations, and for eventual extra houses our Balinese troupe. But we need suggestions. This names came because we discussed in Tokyo. Other countries friends should suggest some ideas and names too.

Who has participated so far:

INDONESIA: I Made Sija, Ray Sahetapy, Dolorosa Sinaga, Pak Boediardjo

JAPAN: Matsuoka Kazuko, Nakajima Yukari, Kumamoto©san, Ito Yazue, Rick Emmert, Naito Minako, Asakura Setzu Yoshiyuki Kazuko

GERMANY: Gunther Phillips, Fred Maire, Lotte, Danielle, Manuel Lutgenhorst, June Card, Doris Jensen, Ariane Petri

AMERICA: Mike Peters, Angela Cermelli, Beate Gordon, Richard Lanier, Lou Zeldig,

KOREA: Sohn Jin©Chaek, Kook Soo©Mo, Park Bum Hoon, Yoon MoonSik.