Anthropology through the Experience of the Physical Body by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789819957248
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore

5.5 Reflexive Views among Actors

Although imitating physical impairments as bondres is acceptable in Bali, it is not completely free from accusations of being unethical or discriminatory. The head of Dinas Kesejahteraan Sosial Provinsi Bali (Social Wealth Agency of Bali province) criticised this tradition and insisted that it be changed. A local newspaper reported his opinion: ‘Artists sometimes use the symbol of people with disabilities for comedic reasons. Of course, this can generate laughs. But for such people it is not funny and can easily hurt their feelings’ (Bali Post 2003).

Many of the Balinese actors I interviewed are aware of this ethical concern. During their performance or in offstage interactions with co-stars they sometimes think about, discuss and reinterpret the meaning and ethics of staging physical defects. My interviews with them also became part of such opportunities. Those who often work with foreign artists or audiences know that foreigners typically think it is not enjoyable or is unethical.11 Those actors say that they do not choose bondres with physical defects for a show with a foreign audience. Some topeng actors avoid representing bodily impairments or disabilities even in performances for Balinese audiences. A famous mask maker and topeng performer, Ida Bagus Anom (1952–2020), did not perform bondres with physical defects:I don’t like it, it doesn’t feel nice. It is difficult to keep the audience laughing for a long time with such masks. It is difficult. And ethically it is not good. It is not likable to ridicule a person like that. Why do we use him as a toy? It is not ethical. He is a disabled person. (Ida Bagus Anom J, Interview, 26 August 2014)

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