Ria Soemardjo is a Melbourne based musician with a passion for collaboration across a diverse range of genres and artforms. Her evocative, textured soundscapes are often performed live using an eclectic array of unusual instruments including voice, gamelan instruments, percussion, found objects.
Ria’s most recent works reflect her deep interest in developing powerful contemporary performance/rituals, often in response to natural or urban sites.
Ria’s most recent works reflect her deep interest in developing powerful contemporary performance/rituals, often in response to natural or urban sites.
EXAMPLES OF SITE RESPONSIVE PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES
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‘Of Frogs’ is 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
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SANCTUARY
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Short video work - directed by Ria Soemardjo, with Pongjit Saphakun and Ron Reeves. Cinematography by Max Milne. Commissioned by Mapping Melbourne 2021.
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. Now in Brunswick, Jon listens for this connection in the trees she encounters on her walks along Merri Creek. |
SWALLOW WALK
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Created in iso, Swallow Walk is an audio-guided experience of Edwardes Lake in Reservoir, inspired by the lake’s surrounding environment and its migratory birds. Created in collaboration with writer Sandra Fiona Long, launched in November 2020, culminating in a beautiful live event incorporating the recorded audio and the sound of gongs and other gamelan instruments resonating across the lake.
Commissioned and funded by Darebin Arts for HYPERLOCAL – Presented by FUSE Darebin. |
MURMURING WALK
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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 beautiful guided walk can be experienced at any time > > |
ECHOES PROJECT
Chinatown
Ria worked with Janette Hoe (dance artist) - contemporary performance ritual incorporating live music/dance and procession. researching the history of the bustling, laneway next to the Chinese Museum, in Cohen Place. In collaboration with percussionists Ron Reeves and Matt Stonehouse. Mapping Melbourne Festival - 2017
Ria worked with Janette Hoe (dance artist) - contemporary performance ritual incorporating live music/dance and procession. researching the history of the bustling, laneway next to the Chinese Museum, in Cohen Place. In collaboration with percussionists Ron Reeves and Matt Stonehouse. Mapping Melbourne Festival - 2017
Mission to Seafarers
. Procession and performance directed by Ria Soemardjo, with Janette Hoe, Pongjit Saphakun, Ron Reeves and Matt Stonehouse. Mapping Melbourne Festival - 2017
