AESTHETIC STUDY OF JAY SUBYAKTO’S THEATER STAGE DESIGNS (MATAH ATI AND ARIAH)

• Main Author: Rachmayanti, Sri
• Format: Dissertations
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/64570
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The topic chosen for this dissertation is an aesthetic study of theater stage design, with two objects by Jay Subyakto, "Matah Ati" and "Ariah". Jay Subyakto's works should be appreciated because they contain the spirit to continue to develop creativity, celebrate uniqueness, and contribute to efforts to preserve the nation's culture. Jay's work is aesthetically exploratory and has an element of surprise that is sometimes deconstructive. With an architectural education background, Jay has experience working as a drafter, producer, and creative stylist in the art world since 1990. Jay Subiyakto is known for his skill in creating different stage arrangements based on those used in traditional theater performances in Indonesia. This study aims to find the aesthetic elements from two of Jay Subyakto's works, as well as to examine the stage design as an aesthetic work that has a unified form in constructing messages and meanings. Jay Subyakto's work is a theatrical production with cultural hybridity. The first creation process is by interpreting the script (ideas). Second, when realizing ideas and creativity he combined the traditional and the contemporary. Third, when it becomes a work of art (artifact), the stage design has the identity of the Nusantara tradition. This research was conducted with an aesthetic approach using a qualitative methodology with a narrative method to understand Jay Subyakto's stage design. This research is limited in the field of interior in theater stage design. The research analysis of the aesthetic aspect uses the theory of theater aesthetics from Bertold Brecht and the theory of empty space from Peter Brook, while the analysis of the meaning aspect uses the theory of symbols from Susanne K. Langer. In this study, it was found that the distinctiveness of Jay Subyakto's stage design is full of cultural values of Central Java ("Matah Ati") and Betawi ("Ariah") which are presented in a contemporary way. This research also finds that Jay Subyakto's distinctive aesthetic elements are formed from unlimited imagination, digital technology and cultural hybridity which then form an imaginary urban space in the show. Traditional contents become important aspect in the aesthetic form of Jay's theater stage design. Through the "Estetika Lebur" as its main characteristic, Jay Subyakto’s design combined opposing pairs into unified entities with harmonic interrelations. This research hopes to contribute to the development of science in the fields of theater, fine arts, and design, especially in the field of stage design for theater performances that elevates tradition.