Australia, Indonesia will make cross-cultural

Australia and Indonesia will make a cross-cultural performance titled "Wedhus Gembel" or hot cloud in Javanese language, performed by artists from both sides, a press statement from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said here on Friday. Featuring extraordinary visual and physical theatrical performance with giant puppets, Wedhus Gembel will perform in Jakarta on Oct. 9 in Jatinegara area of East Jakarta. Melbourne-based group Snuff Puppets and local Indonesian artists will explore stories of traditional and contemporary Indonesian life and mythology. "We are excited to be returning again, and inspired to be working with these fantastic Indonesian artists. Finishing this collaborative show and touring it to Indonesian audiences is a great opportunity for all of us," said Simeon Moran, executive producer of Snuff Puppets. The Snuff Puppets have been building strong relationships with Indonesian artists based in Yogyakarta province since 2006 and have been frequent visitors to Indonesia. Wedhus Gembel was first created in 2009 and is a parable about the cycle of life, the destructive power of nature and how innocence and beauty can be disguised in a monster. Wedhus Gembel is funded by the Australian government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) and Australian International Cultural Council (AICC).