By: Salwa Fadhilah
Tapak Khadam dance created by Eri Argawan in 2016. The idea of creating this dance was inspired by the existing form elements in Kadam dance which according to Eri is not perfect and still has room to be developed. The condition of Kadam dance which is almost extinct is an external driver that arouses Eri to process and create dance works from existing dances. This is interesting because the process of developing existing form elements in the previous dance was carried out while still emphasizing local traditions.
The creative process of creating Tapak Khadam dance uses Rhodes' 4P creativity concept to analyze Eri Argawan's creative potential. Rhodes' 4Ps of creativity include Person, Press, Process, and Product. Focusing on the creative process of dance creation in finding ideas, supporting factors, and motivating factors to be able to process and create Tapak Khadam dance products. To describe the process involved in creating Tapak Khadam dance, Alma Hawkins' concept of creation is used, which includes exploration, improvisation, composition, and evaluation. The concept of creation from Alma Hawkins is in fact applied by Eri Argawan in the creation of his work.
Eri Argawan's dance works are influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors come from a person who has artistic talent and experience in art. While external factors that influence the process of dance creation are the demands of work, the environment as a place that raised him, and the studio environment. The stages carried out to achieve a product start from the idea, the selection of all supporting elements, the search for motion to the stage of preparation of motion material. Realized through the stages of exploration, improvisation, formation and evaluation. Exploration is done by Eri Argawan individually in finding new movements from the inspiration of silat siamang movements. The improvisation stage is the development of motion, formation as a stage of assembling motion into a dance, and evaluation to see the readiness and integrity of the work. The resulting dance product is a development of Kadam dance and the Tapak Khadam dance product is significantly different from Kadam dance. The creation of Tapak Khadam dance is an effort to remind the almost extinct arts by providing new innovations.
The writing is sourced from a thesis entitled “The Creative Process of Creating Eri Argawan's Tapak Khadam Dance” by Salwa Fadhilah. Advisors: Dr. Ni Nyoman Sudewi, SST, M.Hum. and Dra. Budi Astuti, M.Hum.
