Ria’s collaborations and projects reflect her deep interest in creating sound and movement led experiences in response to natural and urban sites. She has a particular passion for creating developing powerful contemporary performance/rituals, often drawing inspiration from her father's Javanese cultural heritage.
NGAYOMI/ SHELTER - Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal & Ria Soemardjo - Bundanon/Redfern performances - April 2024
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Ngayomi/Shelter is a shared journey between audience and two performers, a contemplation on water, displacement and hope. Encounter delicate sculptural objects, powerful movement and a live soundscape in this intimate experience. Dance and live music are interwoven by dancer/choreographer Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal and musician Ria Soemardjo, who draw on their shared Javanese cultural heritage in this collaborative work. Ngayomi/Shelter evokes a ceremony for the losses and horror of the past, grounded in hope for the future.
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'Grasslands' song - released 2023 - composed with my trio 'Fine Blue Thread' from the album - 'What Makes me Human' .
of frogs - live performance work
Premiere - September 2022 Darebin Speakeasy - Fuse Festival.
Premiere - September 2022 Darebin Speakeasy - Fuse Festival.
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AUDIENCE REVIEWS |
'Of Frogs’ is a new performance work, inspired by frogs and our waterways, a performance ritual of voice, percussion & shadow play interacting with water.
A mesmerising performance springing from percussion, voice and shadow play, invoking the life cycle of frogs, forgotten waterways and lost springs
Sandra Fiona Long & Ria Soemardjo with Jeremy Dullard & Ron Reeves
Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy and KP Productions
A mesmerising performance springing from percussion, voice and shadow play, invoking the life cycle of frogs, forgotten waterways and lost springs
Sandra Fiona Long & Ria Soemardjo with Jeremy Dullard & Ron Reeves
Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy and KP Productions
Sanctuary - Mapping Melbourne Festival 2021
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2021. Short video work - devised by Ria Soemardjo, Dedicated to the elm tree at Merri Creek, East Coburg. multi-layered sound compositions featuring gamelan instruments, voice and Ron Reeves on khene (Thai reed instrument) and percussion, woven with Jon’s text and movement. Cinematography by Max Milne.
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'As a child, growing up in a remote Thai village, actress Jon (Pongjit Saphakhun) recalls a magical time, spending hours playing under a huge fragrant moon fruit tree. Ceremonies in her village were often chaotic, joyful social events, reflecting an intimate, direct relationship with the natural world – and a deep respect for trees. Jon listens for this connection in the trees she encounters on her walks along the Merri Creek.'
Flowing Loops project - 2024 created theme music and 2 podcast episodes with Dan Koop - exploring the flows, loops & lines of the Suburban Rail Loop East, and history of Box Hill's clay bricks
murmuring walk - guided audio walk soundtrack commissioned by Macedon Ranges Council 2021
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Created in collaboration with Charlotte Roberts and Sandra Fiona Long. Murmuring Walk is an audio-guided walk reflecting the environment, birdlife and natural rhythms of Sanatorium lake, Mount Macedon.
This guided walk can be experienced at any time > > |
SWALLOW WALK - guided audio walk soundtrack 2020 - music/sound design created by Ria Soemardjo in collboration with writer Sandra Fiona Long.
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Commissioned and funded by Darebin Arts for HYPERLOCAL Swallow Walk is an audio-guided experience of Edwardes Lake in Reservoir, inspired by the lake’s surrounding environment and its migratory birds including the Welcome Swallows that flit over the lake, especially at springtime.
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