Silent Signal
Moch. M. Kavin Faza, Ayobandung.com – Bandung

Cirebon-born pantomime artist Wanggi Hoediatno (34) found his interest then tried to preserve the performance art in 2014. Through pantomime, Wanggi tries to touch upon and explore Indonesia’s diversity.

In his artistic journey, Wanggi makes pantomime a language of peace, in line with a statement by World Mime Organizatin (WMO) and accepted by 34 countries in 4 continents. Wanggi himself is the Indonesian delegate for WMO.

To Wanggi, pantomime is not just an entertainment but a medium to convey certain messages and values. One of the works that inspire him is a Charlie Chaplin movie titled The Kids (1921). In the movie, Chaplin plays a stepfather to a homeless child, and through the story teaches about caring for others. Meanwhile in his other movie The Great Dictator (1940), Chaplin gave a speech known as the message of humanity, which is still relevant as ever. Another powerful humanity message is delivered in Marcel Marceau’s Youth, Maturity, Old Age and Death (1965). In the movie, Marceau plays his signature character, Bip the Clown.

In his works, Wanggi makes pantomime as a medium for social criticism and language of peace. Without a word, he brings up different issues, including collective memory about injustice, crime against the environment, humanity, and freedom of expression. Wanggi actively hosts pantomime shows on those issues, because he sees that the vast stream of information has made important issues easily forgotten.

Beyond white face makeup, his “voice” is loud and clear amid silence. Every gesture conveys a specific meaning. Wanggi hopes that pantomime could be a starting point for communal interaction and facilitate education to grow public awareness. He also hopes that pantomime could open a pathway towards better appreciation for art of different mediums. That way, the Indonesian ecosystem may continue to grow.