The Transformation Of Balinese Legong Dance and Its Spatial Interpretation: A Preliminary Studies
Seruni Kusumawardhani, S.T., M.Ds.

School of Post-Graduate Study
Faculty of Visual Art and Design
Bandung Institute of Technology
Jl. Ganesha No. 10, Bandung

Abstract

This paper focuses on changes in the figure of the Balinese Legong dance and its interpretation. This interpretation will focus on the potential for changes in the spatiality of the Legong dance itself. Historically, the Sanghyang Legong Topeng Dance -as the first creation of all Legong dances- was performed for the first time at Payogan Agung Temple, Ketewel Village. This dance was a sacred dance that was performed in the inner temple (pura) during religious ceremony rituals as a transcendental medium between heaven and the world. Along with the times, the sacred value of the Sanghyang Legong Topeng Dance has transformed into various Legong dance creations that aim to fulfill a profane function and be performed outside pura. The Sanghyang Legong Topeng Dance, which was originally created as a spiritual guidance, then developed over time and space and turned into a commodity for tourism. These aforementioned changes in Balinese Legong dance promise more issues that can comprehensively be studied for in-depth understanding, such as space and cultural identity. This research is a preliminary study in the form of a literature review that aims to identify Balinese Legong dance based on its existence in the timeline. This study continued to find possible changes in spatial values/spatiality since the Legong dance was created. The findings from this study are expected to contribute to the study of dance and cultural space, especially the Balinese Legong dance in relation to its spatial value.

Keywords: dance art- Balinese Legong dance- identity- spatiality

Topic: Development Studies and Humanities