VOL. 1 NO. 6 I NOVEMBER 24-30, 2013

WANDERLUSTAFRICA’S

EMERGING DESTINATION

TREND DIALROLLS-ROYCE’S

NEW RIDE A LA MODECURVES &

CONTOURS

IT’S GOT TO BE GAGATHE LADY ON ARTISTIC EXPLORATIONS, HER NEW ALBUM

AND INDONESIA!

2 November 24, 2013JPLUS

mark MY WORDS

Vava Vroom: When it comes to grandiose public displays, you, like me, have probably spotted the Lamborghinis and Ferraris and other super-luxury sports vehicles around town, including the spanking new Rolls-Royce. They certainly have the parking attendants at local malls springing into action, and the HD crowd must be keeping local leather chaps producers in super-bumper business. One friend speculated on FB that she always assumes they belong to shady attorneys or are the ill-gotten rewards of corruption and money laundering. Another offered the theory that big vehicles are a means to compensate for smaller physical endowments. Don’t know about the veracity of that (and I myself certainly do not drive a big vehicle), but you do wonder if their owners ever get to put them into top gear with Jakarta’s bumper-to-bumper traffic, majorly fancy bumper notwithstanding.

Puff Love? Notice how while a lot of parents do their utmost to keep their kids protected from all manner of physical harm, smoking is not one of them? Last Saturday night, at a small gourmet Italian resto in Kemang, I overheard a mother ask for an ashtray along with her fettuccini, her toddler daughter right by her side (one good sign of progress, though, is that every other table was filled with Indonesian diners, while only a few years ago it was almost exclusively expatriate). At least somebody is trying to do something to raise awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke and the little ones: NGO Jernih has a stated mission to “protect children from the dangers of smoking”. From the hazy look

of things, it has its work cut out for it. Crew Story: Anyone else not too sold on the current trend for TV variety shows to pull their crews from behind the scenes to make them part of the on-air hijinks? It started with the Yuk Keep Smile shows (I digress: can’t stop imagining a whole generation of little Indonesian kids telling foreign tourists to “Keep smile, mister”) and has been picked up by the Fesbukers show as well. Many of the crew may be young and physically attractive, but it does nothing for me to learn more about the intimate details of their love lives or watch them undergo public humiliation. And we all know how pulling one crew member and a guest into a live scene got one over-the-top comedian into very hot water.

Long & Short of It: Another friend (see, I have friends) told me of a high-powered event for a multinational fashion brand. Unfortunately, the ministerial representative decided to make his speech an off-color discussion of toilet humor. The guests were already flushed with embarrassment (pun intended) when he concluded by saying he did not want to make the speech “... too long, that will upset the ladies. And if I make it too wide, the gentlemen will be displeased”. Eeek ... the boys of Warkop back in the ’80s were way, way more subtle in their cheeky double entendres than this gobsmacker. My friend described the speech as “kampungan” (provincial), which I argued was unfair to many villagers, who would know the time and place to hit the lowest common denominators. Then again, coming back to that theory about big cars, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bapak drives a Ferrari. + Broto Dharma

Check List

Noted in passing

ON THE COVER Lady Gaga in Thom BrownePhoto Dimitrios Kambouris/ Getty Images for Glamour/AFP

THE BUZZ this past week was all about the phone-tapping kerfuffle, which has certainly dialed up its own “ring of ire”. For us at JPlus, the week was about the more pleasant matter of the launching of this new lifestyle supplement. A good time was had by all at the event, held at the new Monolog at PIM Street Gallery and hosted by the jovial quintet from Table of Friends.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including METRO Dept. Store, The Park Lane Jakarta, Cemal Cemil, Tulola Jewelry (especially to Happy Salma for her impromtu and impassioned performance), Alleira Kreasindo, Jakarta Vintage and, of course, the hospitality of the Monolog crew.

Someone who is always sure to push some buttons is our cover subject, Lady Gaga. In an exclusive interview conducted in London, the native New Yorker discusses fame and the motivations for her artistic endeavors. Like her or not, at least she follows her heart in all she does.

We also have a look at fashionable and curvaceous women, tackle the subject of our favorite wake-up tunes to get us humming first thing in the morning with our aforementioned friends, travel to mysterious Mozambique (check out the gorgeous photos) and find out about a new movement to protect children from secondhand smoke. And, of course, if you want to try something new in the kitchen, chef Theodora Hurustiati has a sweet treat on this week’s menu.

That’s a bit of what we have in store for you. Wishing you a happy Sunday, and a great week ahead.

Bruce Emond

10 Out of AfricaMozambique is coming on strong with adventurous travelers.

12 On a RollsWhat is on offer with the new Rolls-Royce Wraith?

For Starters

JPlus TeamEditor Bruce Emond I bruce@thejakartapost.com Deputy Editor Willy Wilson Graphic Designer Budhi HartonoCopy Editor Imogen Badgery-Parker

MARKETING & ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas I ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com Marketing ExecutivesDewi Damayani I dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.comSugeng Andrianto I sugeng.andrianto@thejakartapost.com

@JplusSunday SundayJplusJplusSunday

Credit DueCredits for photos of craftspeople and their creations in the Nov. 17 edition (“Space to Create”, page 14) were Wahyu Widi, Natasha Muliandari and Borneo Chic.

I’m not one to complain … but I will never pass up the chance to have a fine whine.

Crowd Displeasers

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talk of THE TOWN

culture VULTURE

Art Aficionados and Men of Style

MARTELL CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITIONYogyakarta artist S. Teddy’s giant magenta tank greeted visitors to the pop-up exhibition space on Monday in Kuningan City, South Jakarta. Other works from photographer Nicoline Patricia Malina, fashion designer Arantxa Adi, artists Renjani Damais-Arifin, Irawan Karseno and Ipong Purnama Sidhi are on exhibit from Nov. 18-24.

Hermès Men PresentationSophisticated ladies took a cushy second seat to dandy gentlemen as Hermès presented the Autumn/Winter 2013 men’s collection at its Pacific Place store. The homage to boys of all ages included miniature train sets with the luxury brand’s famed orange gift boxes along the track. Magnifique.

Irawan Karseno, Chandra Johan, Kuningan City center manager Christopher Harja, Martell heritage director Jacques Menier, Pernod Ricard Indonesia general manager Edhi Sumadhi, Martell brand ambassador Thierry Giraud, Renjani Damais-Arifin, Arantxa Adi, Ipong Purnama Sidhi. K Tazril, Shawnee Puti, Ade Muiz

Moza Pramita, Renjani Damais-Arifin, Dewi Motik, Zelda Arifin, Asmoro Damais

Robin Liem and friends

Caroline Zachrie and Roland Adam in a huddle

Masari Group COO Francisca Liem, Herman Hartono & Immy Senjaya

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oro

AFTER THE SUCCESS of last year’s Indonesia Menari flashmob movement, Galeri Indonesia Kaya, supported by Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation and Grand Indonesia, has hatched a new concept for this year’s Indonesia Menari 2013.

This flashmob movement, held on Sunday, Nov. 24, will be done throughout the entire West Mall and East Mall of Grand Indonesia at 16 different spots.

The approach taken by Indonesia Menari 2013 will further strengthen its main purpose – to reintroduce traditional Indonesian dances into Jakarta’s modern society. By holding a flashmob in one of the largest shopping malls in Jakarta, Indonesia Menari 2013 hopes to further convince the younger generation that traditional dancing is not forever lackluster and boring. With a little bit of creativity, traditional music and moves can be turned into a desirable cultural attraction.

This event has attracted many public figures and notable community groups, such as Indra Bekti, Amink, dancer Adella Fauzi, Be3, Abang None Jakarta and Damn! I Love Indonesia communities. Everyone can join the cause simply by learning the move that was choreographed by a young choreographer Chiquita Limer, based on the electronic dance music themed folksong medley arranged by Pongky Prasetyo.

INDONESIA MENARI 2013 BY GALERI INDONESIA KAYA PUTS MODERN SPIN ON TRADITIONAL DANCE

4 November 24, 2013JPLUS

Lena Dunham

IS SIX the new zero? It certainly seems so in Hollywood, as US primetime television embraces curvier leading ladies like Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project), Christina Hendrick (Mad Men) and Sofia Vergara (Modern Family). We do not have to look far for our own group of voluptuous female presenters, including Melaney Ricardo, Farah Quinn and Olla Ramlan.

Could this be the start of a healthy trend that celebrates the varied types of beauty? We hope so.

The women’s plus-size fashion industry is now worth US$17 billion, with sweaters, blouses and knee-length skirts traditionally the best selling items. In fact, the sweater-blouse-skirt combo is the preferred look for many larger women, who believe that basic layering can help conceal their curves. But why not just flaunt the little extras that you have to offer?

Pair your sweater with a pair of flattering jeans (Gap’s Sexy Boyfriend bootcut and Levi’s Revel are great for curvy girls). And if you’ve been a devotee of tight satin dresses,

A la MODE

SIZED

The Real Deal

While beauty comes in different shapes and sizes, it’s important to find the right outfit for your individual body type. WORDS WILLY WILSON SUPER

then give them a rest for loosely cut cocktail dresses instead (check out the Max Azaria Spring/Summer 2014 collection).

You can also never go wrong with the signature chic wrap dresses from Diane Von Furstenberg. Take your styling cues from similarly shapely women such as Kate Upton, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.

Speaking of a curvy “It” girl, rumor has it that Lina Dunham (Girls) will grace the cover of Vogue, which may indicate that the fashion world (read: Anna Wintour) is finally ready to celebrate a broader definition of beauty, so to speak. That is not to say that we will end our Kate Moss obsession, but perhaps it’s wise to remind ourselves that even Kate doesn’t look like the Kate of old these days (she reportedly used a body double for the recent Stuart Weitzman campaign).

Sofia Vergara

Olla Ramlan

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Blo

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FP, A

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WHILE THERE’S a growing range of fashion resources for plus-size women, larger men seeking to look stylish often don’t even know where to start.

To the rescue is Chubstr.com, a smart and informative fashion blog for larger men. The site’s founder, Bruce Sturgell, posts interviews with stylish bigger guys and tips on how to emulate looks worn by slimmer male celebrities.

Sturgell shares with JPlus his three styling essentials for chubby guys. What’s the most important thing that plus size men need to know about dressing and style? Many bigger men tend to wear clothes that are too baggy. It’s important to wear clothing that fits you well. They don’t have to be form fitting, but they shouldn’t just hang off your body. A great fitting piece will accentuate the parts of you that you

want to show off, and make you feel good about what you’re wearingWhat’s the best fashion investment for big guys? Every big guy should have a good jacket or two in their wardrobe. Having a nice classic blazer for a night out on the town or a more formal jacket for business or an upscale event doesn’t hurt. It’s important to

consider getting your more important (and expensive) clothing tailored, as a tailor can help ensure that the clothes you purchase are made to fit your exact dimensions. Ultimately, you’ll look better in whatever you’re wearing.What type of suit is best suited for plus size men? A custom made suit that fits your proportions can look good in just about any style. If you can’t get that, or you just aren’t sure what type of suit to start out with, consider a simple, single-breasted suit with two buttons. Venting and pattern are important to consider as well. I tend to go with side venting and navy or gray colors, with a minimalistic pattern. Of course, these are just the basics. There are many larger men out there wearing the exact opposite and pulling it off well because of a great fit!

Well-rounded Gentlemen

Christina Hendrick

Bruce Sturgell Zach Galifianakis

Mindy Kaling

5November 24, 2013JPLUS

LONG BEFORE Lady Gaga rose to fame, British fashion editor and stylist Isabella Blow made theatrical clothes and outlandish headgear her personal trademark.

Eccentric, flamboyant and witty, Blow was editor at Tatler and other magazines, best known for discovering British designers Alexander McQueen and milliner Philip Treacy.

A major exhibition opened in London on Wednesday to celebrate the life and style of Blow, who committed suicide by drinking weed-killer in 2007. Held in Somerset House, the exhibition features Blow’s personal collection of more than 100 rare designer items, including many of Treacy’s most dramatic hats and some of McQueen’s earliest designs.

Blow met McQueen at his graduate

fashion show in 1992, and famously bought up his entire collection. She commissioned headdresses for her wedding from Treacy when he was still a student. She wore their designs everywhere, and used her network to promote both men.

The exhibition traces Blow’s early life and her aristocratic background, which curator Alistair O’Neill said was key to her appeal and success.

“She traded on her family history and her Britishness,” he said. “She was this attractive, artistic figure. She had no

A la MODE

Blow by Blow

IF YOU’RE already planning a year-end holiday to somewhere cold and romantic, then you need a new pair of sturdy shoes. Our picks? Giuseppe Zanotti’s Calfskin Biker Boots (that golden buckle is oh-so-glamorous!) and Valentino Garavani ankle boots with a round toe, side zip and a gold-tone studded heel.

But we admit we have a serious crush on Robert Clergerie’s platform series. The French footwear veteran’s designs have always been architectural, for he believes that footwear must resolve the form-meets-function challenge. His signature solid, sculptural shoes resemble modernist buildings or furniture. As evident in his latest collection, chucky platforms, block soles and parallelogram heels are essential elements in his creations.

All shoes available at On Pedder.

Made for Walking

Giuseppe Zanotti Valentino Garavani

Robert Clergerie

money, but lots of stories and lots of style.”Blow used to say that her bizarre

headgear was used as armor to protect herself and hide her face from the world, and indeed many of the hats featured at the show obscure most of the wearer’s face.

“Gaga also identified with that,” O’Neill said. “But [Isabella’s husband] Detmar Blow said that while Lady Gaga wore her stage costumes, Isabella never took hers off.”

“Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!” runs until March 2. + Sylvia Hui/AP

Photos: AP

6 November 24, 2013JPLUS

well BEING

DR. JAMES TAN, a neurosurgeon at Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore specializing in the treatment of neck and back pain, shares that this condition is present in up to 80 percent of people aged 60 and above.

Spondylosis is a general term used to describe any spinal degeneration. Cervical spondylosis refers to a specific degeneration of the cervical spine, where the neck is.

As people age, the spine degenerates and the discs that act as cushions in the spine start losing their ability to cushion the bones, which causes bone spurs to form. This is why patients suffering from cervical spondylosis develop muscle aches around the neck.

“The muscles in the neck are trying to protect the spine by going into spasms, which is what causes the pain,” he continues.

Posture and position Bad posture is one of the biggest causes

of cervical spondylosis. “Hunching over your desktop or laptop daily for many hours and not exercising enough can cause degeneration to occur earlier,” says Dr. Tan.

Not all neck pain is caused by cervical spondylosis though. For instance, working for long hours in front of the computer can cause muscle spasms.

Helping you feel betterBecause it is a degenerative condition,

treatment cannot cure the patient or reverse cervical spondylosis. “Any kind of treatment we

undertake is aimed at relieving the symptoms. Our aim is to allow the patient to go back to their daily activities as much as possible,” explains Dr. Tan.

Minimally-invasive facet joint injections can provide pain relief for patients who have been involved in traffic accidents or with chronic neck pain.

PreventionChanging your posture could probably be

one of the most effective lifestyle changes to make. Always sit upright when you’re working. Reading material should also be brought up to your face so that your head stays upright.

Working tables tilted at an angle or putting tablets or laptops on a stand that can help to raise the screen nearer to eye level can be helpful as well.

The most important thing in treating cervical spondylosis is not to put off treatment. “See a doctor if you have nagging or shooting pain,” he stresses. “Once you’re cleared by the doctor, you can return to your daily life.”

Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore Patient Assistance Centre (Jakarta) Suite 908 Tamara Centre Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav.24 Jakarta 12920, Indonesia 24-Hour Helpline: (62) 811 942 720 Email: enquiry@parkway.co.id

Hold Your Head UpWONDERING WHY YOU’VE BEEN HAVING RECURRING ACHES AND PAINS IN THE NECK FOR NO REASON? YOU MAY JUST BE SUFFERING FROM CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS.

DURING THE rainy season, the decreased amount of sunlight can cause people to feel depressed.

This is similar in mechanism to the development of seasonal depression during fall and winter when there is a decreased amount of sunlight. However, the duration of the rainy season is shorter, which means that this type of depression is not as severe.

Decreased sunlight leads to decreased production of melatonin, a neurotransmitter, which disrupts the circadian rhythm and causes depression. Melatonin works on the pineal glands of the brain and is mainly produced during the night.

People usually only experience temporary depression when there is a decrease in the amount of melatonin produced.

“Seasonal depression” starts during fall and winter when there is a decreased amount of sunlight and improves over the spring and summer when there is increased sunlight.

This is less common near the Equator

where there is no significant difference in the amount of sunlight between the seasons. It is more common in higher latitudes, being the most commonly reported in Europe. It is twice as common in females compared to males.

This type of seasonal depression is generally different in symptoms to general depression. General depression is associated with symptoms such as decreased appetite and insomnia, but in patients with seasonal depression, they have increased sleep, causing them to stay in bed longer and have no energy.

These patients also have increased appetite, so they consume more carbohydrates and gain weight. As with general depression, the patients feel depressed, low in energy, feel tired easily and have decreased motivation.

There is no known cause of seasonal depression. However, unlike general depression where the changes in the function controlling sleep and eating lead to insomnia and decreased appetite, we describe as “atypical depression” cases where patients experience the opposite (hypersomnia and increased appetite).

Depression associated with the season is often atypical in clinical presentation. It is not known why some people experience decreased appetite with depression, whereas others develop atypical presentations.

You may experience depression with a decreased level of activity during the rainy season. It helps to maintain a positive attitude, think happy thoughts and eat a balanced and regular diet.

RAINY DAYS GET YOU DOWN?

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS – AND PEOPLE CAN END UP FEELING OUT OF SORTS EMOTIONALLY.WORDS KANG EUN-HO/ THE KOREA HERALD/ANN/SEOUL

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Illustration: The Korea Herald/Park Gee-young

7November 24, 2013JPLUS

BANANA AND CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD WITH EXTRA CHOCOLATE ON THE SIDE

taste BUD

One of the things I enjoy doing on weekends is baking, particularly simple and easy cakes. They can be eaten at

breakfast for the following week or in the afternoons along with a cup of hot tea or chocolate. The family favorite is this banana and chocolate bread I often make using those overripe unappealing bananas nobody wants to eat anymore. Trust me, the uglier the banana looks, the tastier your cake will be!

Its ideal accompaniment, in my opinion, is Xocoatl, a spiced Mexican Aztec hot chocolate drink. Perfect to warm up in those rainy November days!

Makes 12-15 slices1 (100 g) overripe banana, pureed75 g butter, softened100 g brown sugar3 eggs150 g flour2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder½ teaspoon (2 g) ground cinnamon50 g dark chocolate chips1 teaspoon of white poppy seeds (optional)

Cream butter and sugar until soft and pale.

Add eggs and banana; continue to beat. Don’t worry if the mixture seems to curdle, it will come together when you add the dry ingredients.

Mix flour, baking powder and ground cinnamon. Pass them through a fine sieve and add gradually to the egg and butter mixture. Whisk until smooth.

Fold 40 grams of the chocolate into the batter and pour in a loaf tin, previously lined with parchment paper, lightly buttered and floured.

Decorate with the remaining

Jakarta-born chef Theodora Hurustiati, an 11-year resident of Udine, Italy, was the runner-up

in the TV cooking program La Scuola – Cucina di Classe (The School: Classy Cooking) in 2011.

chocolate chips and the poppy seeds.Bake until golden brown for 35-40

minutes at 160ºC (fan oven) or 180° (traditional).

XocoatlServes 2

500 ml water5 cm (5 g) cinnamon stick5 tablespoons cocoa powder5 teaspoons brown sugar5 teaspoons corn starchA pinch of dried chili flakes or 1 fresh red chili

Boil water with cinnamon for about 5 minutes after it has reached the boiling point. Leave to cool. Filter to eliminate cinnamon stick and any impurities.

Blend cocoa powder, sugar and corn starch in a small saucepan. Pour in the cinnamon infusion and mix until it is completely smooth and free of lumps.

Add chili and bring back to boil until the chocolate thickens. If using fresh chili, deseed and leave whole if you want less heat or cut into rounds for more heat.

Serve hot.

TIME SAVERS• To save some time and washing,

you can simply put all the

ingredients, except the chocolate

chips and the poppy seeds, into if

a food processor, and blitz until

smooth.• Alternatively, bake the cake

in muffin tins and it will take

less time to cook, around 15-20

minutes. The recipe should be

enough to make 10 to 12 muffins.

WORDS & PHOTOS THEODORA HURUSTIATI

8 November 24, 2013JPLUS

Cover STORY

LADY GAGA OPENS UP ABOUT THE MOTIVATIONS

FOR HER PROVOCATIVE AND BIZARRE ARTISTRY.

WORDS WILLY WILSON

THE ART OF FAME

There was a collective gasp of disbelief when former Disney star Miley Cyrus twerked her way around the stage in a pair of latex undergarment during the MTV Video Music Awards recently. Cyrus’ antics drew negative reactions from the audience, the media and

even fellow celebrities – including Sinead O’ Connor and Cher, of all people – who deemed the raunchy performance distasteful.

For Cyrus, it seemed yet another example of acting out and seeking a reaction. But for Lady Gaga, pushing the envelope with outrageous stage performances is simply part of her artistic exploration at age 27. In August 2008, she shot to stardom as a wig-wearing, shoulder-padded

newcomer singing the catchy “Just Dance”, and she wore equally outrageous outfits in the music video of her second single “Poker Face”. Both singles became international number-one hits, and the album, The Fame, later earned a total of six Grammy Award nominations, triumphing for Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording.

A year later, she released her second studio album The Fame Monster, with global chart-topping singles “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” (featuring Beyonce). The lyrics in this album were more provocative, and so was Gaga’s startling appearance. Her music videos, particularly for “Telephone” and “Alejandro”, had a scantily-clad Gaga in sexually charged scenarios.

Her no-holds-barred performances sparked outrage from parents’ associations and also religious groups. That included

9November 24, 2013JPLUS

Cover STORY

here in Indonesia, when her June 2012 sold-out show was called off following threats from the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front and refusal of the police to issue a concert permit.

“I wanted so badly to do the show. I even asked if they would allow me to perform in full mask and with no dancers,” Lady Gaga said at the 2013 iTunes Festival in London. “But when the police said they wouldn’t protect us, I called it off because I didn’t want to put my fans in danger.

“I have to be respectful to other cultures, even when I am viewed as a threat. I’m not saying I agree with them, but I know I don’t want to inspire violence.”

She may be controversial, but Gaga also commands a loyal following. In fact, her “Little Monsters” (as she calls her fans) grow in number with each new record.

Part of her growing fame is due to the reassuring and uplifting message she conveys to “those who feel like a freak, an outcast and a misfit”. She regularly talks about self-acceptance, empowering her “Little Monsters” to embrace and celebrate differences.

“I don’t live for performing on stage so that people would talk about me on Twitter the next day. I mean, that (public response) is a by-product of something completely organic,” says Gaga of her fame.

For Gaga, being a controversial performer isn’t about getting attention; it is about directing attention.

“One of my greatest artworks is the art of fame. As part of my mastering the art of fame, I know how to direct people to the things I want them to pay attention to,” she told CNN journalist Anderson Cooper in 2011.

Unlike Cyrus, whose evolution from an

innocent Southern belle to a ball-wrecking pop star naturally raised more than a few eyebrows, Gaga cleverly directs public attention to her alter ego as opposed to the young woman she really is. Gaga Who?

The eldest child of Cynthia Bissett and Italian-American Joseph Germanotta, Gaga was born Stefani Germanotta on March 28, 1986. (Queens’ hit retro number “Radio Gaga” inspired her stage name). Growing up in an upper middle class household, she learned to play the piano by ear at the age of four and she wrote her first piano ballad at age 13.

Four years later, she gained early admission to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied music.

“I’m very academic when it comes to my artworks. I know the history and the philosophy of everything I wear and I compose,” she told CBS in 2011.

During her time at Tisch, Gaga immersed herself in topics such as art, religion, social issues and politics. At home, she studied the artistry of others, namely David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Queen. But she is certainly a creation of her own.

Some say she’s a marketing expert and a flash in the pan, but Gaga is adamant that she is indeed an artist.

She doesn’t consider herself a pop star, let alone a celebrity. Instead, she sees herself as a performance artist; a living work of art on stage and off. This explains her theatrical wardrobe, which ranges from Mugler, Alexander McQueen to raw meat.

“I don’t so much want to be famous… I think the assumption was that I wear my clothes this way for the attention, while the truth is that this is just who I am and the way I am, whether you’re watching me or not,” she says of her eccentricity.

“When the attention feels shallow, I don’t particularly like it. Fame is a complicated thing. I love to be able to perform for a lot of people and having my voice heard, but I don’t like being called a celebrity.”

Beyond Pop Culture

Suffice to say that Gaga understands fame – or narcissism, depending on how you see it – which is a recurring theme in her music. Her third studio album, ARTPOP, is no different.

The first single off the album, “Applause”, was commercially successful, peaking at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The Electropop – Eurodance mix was also a massive hit globally, topping the music chart from Lebanon to South Korea. The second single, “Do What U Want”, is slated to follow the success of its predecessor.

But the sales of the album have been less exciting. ARTPOP sold 250,000 copies in its first week of release, way below the projected sales of 350,000. It isn’t a complete flop, but for someone who has

previously sold over 10 millions single, ARTPOP feels like a fizzle. And to make things worse, Miley Cyrus sold more than 270,000 copies within that same week.

The critics too have been rather cynical about ARTPOP. The album is Gaga’s attempt at mixing high-brow art and low-brow pop. Gaga enlisted the help of artist Jeff Koons to design the album’s cover, which features a naked sculpture of Gaga holding her breasts and giving birth to a shiny blue ball.

The critics trashed her album, claiming that Gaga is trying to position herself as the second coming of Andy Warhol. But her fans fiercely defend her artistic take, citing she transcends popular arts into high arts.

But Gaga herself doesn’t seem to mind any labels; she is simply proud of her work.

“I guess what I’m trying to say with this album is that nothing I do is marketing-geared for you to buy something based on what I think you would like,” she points out.

Her artworks, she says, have always been “based on what I like; what I think you would fall deeply in love with, whether you get it now or 10 years later”.

Of course there are not many artists whose work can be described as both transcendent and, in the opinion of some, trashy. Then again, there are not many artists like Lady Gaga.

Interview provided by Universal Music Indonesia. SHE DOESN’T CONSIDER

HERSELF A POP STAR, LET ALONE A CELEBRITY. INSTEAD, SHE SEES HERSELF AS A PERFORMANCE ARTIST; A LIVING WORK OF ART ON STAGE AND OFF

Little MentionsOn performing in Indonesia: I’ve always planned to go back to Indonesia, or at least play somewhere nearby so people can come. Biggest hope … It already came true, to never stop letting music set me free. When I was on stage last night, I felt free and could see it when I watched the performance back. And fear … In a way, I don’t have any fears because the point of my new album is to eliminate those fears, even for the fans. Acting plans: I’ve been doing some acting recently. I have a movie coming out next year, a documentary about my entire life by Terry Richardson. He’s been on the road with me for two years.

Phot

os:

AFP

, AP,

Reu

ters

10 November 24, 2013JPLUS

wanderLUST

THE GHOSTS OF THE PORTUGUESE SLAVE TRADE REMAIN ON MOZAMBIQUE’S IBO ISLAND. WORDS & PHOTOS PETER MILNE

11November 24, 2013JPLUS

wanderLUST

Mozambique rarely features on lists of destinations for tropical beaches, but that should be revised, given that

the country has a historically fascinating and stunningly beautiful coastline that stretches more than 2,000 km.

The allure of the country’s south is its accessible beaches and resorts, but head north, and you get a glimpse of unspoiled paradise, as well as the sense of space and adventure of traveling to a remote corner of the country.

That was what attracted me to the Quirimbas archipelago, a string of 25 low-lying islands and islets in turquoise waters, stretching along 400 km from the town of Pemba up to the border with Tanzania. Some islands are waterless and uninhabited, others are rich in history, and all are part of Quirimbas National Park.

I headed for Ilha da Ibo, or Ibo Island, in the south of the archipelago, the only island with accessible and reasonably priced accommodation.

It also has the longest recorded history. Ibo and its neighbor Quirimba were important Arab trading posts well before the Portuguese arrived in the 15th century on their quest for the spice islands. The Portuguese used Ibo as a supply station for their eastward explorations.

As their influence grew in the 17th century and they grew wealthy on the profits of the slave trade, the Portuguese fortified the island from attack by the Arabs, the Dutch and the French. At this time, Ibo became a major supplier of slaves to the sugar plantations on Zanzibar, Mauritius and Madagascar. When the slave trade came to an end in the 19th century, the Portuguese shifted their attention to the mainland. Ibo then faded into obscurity in the mid-20th century, when the provincial capital was transferred to the mainland

town of Pemba.Today, Ibo is an enchanting place and a

haven of tranquility – the only vehicles on the island are four jeeps and one tractor. Its quiet streets are lined with crumbling Portuguese villas and government buildings, echoes of a bygone era. The old colonial buildings reminded me a little of Banda Neira in the Banda islands, except that Ibo’s dilapidation is far more advanced.

The island has one boutique hotel, the Ibo Island Lodge, but, at US$250 a night,

it was over my budget. Instead, I turned to the more reasonably priced places, several of which are in restored Portuguese mansions. I chose a lovely atmospheric place with a pool overlooking the bay called Cinco Portas (www.cincoportas.com), where US$65 got me a double room with a sea-facing verandah.

In all, I spent five days on Ibo Island, and I spent some of that time exploring the old town. The main old town of Ibo possesses three small forts, the largest of which is the Fort of São João Batista, built in 1791 in the shape of a five-pointed star. The fort can hold 300 people. At the height of the slave trade, the dark, cramped lower quarters of the fort were used to hold the slaves before they were transferred to dhows at the port.

I also took a guided day trip: a 2-hour hike through mangrove forests at low tide all the way from Ibo to the island directly to the south, called Quirimba Island, the most

economically active of the islands. The walk was topped off with a tasty lunch of grilled fish in spicy sauce and coconut rice, washed down with fresh coconut milk.

After lunch, we took a refreshing dip in the warm sea and a walk along the beautiful white sandy beach. With the tide high by then, we took a small dhow back through the main channel. It was a wonderfully peaceful experience to glide silently through the mangroves in the gathering dusk, all under the power of a single sail.

IT WAS A WONDERFULLY PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE TO GLIDE SILENTLY THROUGH THE MANGROVES IN THE GATHERING DUSK, ALL UNDER THE POWER OF A SINGLE SAIL

My short sojourn on Ibo Island was hardly enough to do justice to the whole archipelago, let alone the inland part of Quirimbas National Park, an area on the mainland stretching more than 120 km westward that is home to elephants, lions, leopards and hyenas.

But it did allow me a glimpse of three of these largely overlooked islands, and experience the fascinating colonial time warp that is Ibo Island. It leaves me plenty to discover should I have the chance to pass this way again.

12 November 24, 2013JPLUS

trend DIAL

ROLLS-ROYCE IS OFFERING SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH ITS NEWEST MODEL, THE WRAITH.WORDS JACQUELINE WALES

THE LAP OF LUXURY

13November 24, 2013JPLUS

trend DIAL

Specs• Engine: Twin-turbocharged 6.6 liter V12 engine

generating 624 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque at 1500 rpm

• Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, with a new Satellite-Aided Transmission feature that uses GPS data to preselect the correct gear for the road ahead

• Top speed: 250 km/h• Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 4.6 seconds

EACH NEW Rolls-Royce model has to make an impression. In 2012, Rolls-Royce sold exactly 3,575 cars – not a large number, even for a premium car maker – and each model is very carefully designed.

So how does the firm know when its got it right?

“If the car doesn’t look and feel like a Rolls-Royce then we know we’ve done something wrong,” Dan Balmer said.

“This car is a style statement. It’s going to reach into a new market for us. You know because you immediately get that warm feeling, and that doesn’t happen with every new car.”

THE WRAITH WILL ATTRACT THOSE SEEKING A LUXURY CAR THAT CAN

COPE WITH IDLING IN TRAFFIC BUT CAN ALSO

TURN UP THE POWER

It’s powerful and handsome, but the sporty two-door four-seater GT coupe called the Wraith aroused plenty of surprise when Rolls-Royce revealed it at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.

And even though those of us in Jakarta had months to prepare for its official launch here on Nov. 8, it still appeared odd when it was parked right in front of us.

At the front end, the car looks much like the familiar luxury saloon Ghost, but it metamorphoses into a different creature near the back, as the roofline drops into a wide rear.

Under the hood, though, it’s pure Rolls-Royce. The Wraith is Rolls-Royce’s most powerful car yet: it has a 6.6 liter V12 engine with an output of 624 bhp and 590 pound-feet of torque and can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.6 seconds.

The details are as expected too: the cleverly concealed Teflon-coated umbrellas; the analogue clock embedded in the dashboard; the wooden panels and sumptuous leather interior that gives this enormous car a cozy feel; and, of course, the legendary Spirit of Ecstasy ornament perched on the bonnet.

This was all in the plan, as Dan Balmer, Rolls-Royce general manager for Asia Pacific, pointed out.

“It is a departure for us, that’s for sure,” Balmer said. “But it’s very deliberate on our part.”

It’s been a decade since Rolls-Royce released the Phantom, which was followed in 2009 by the Ghost. With the Wraith, Rolls-Royce has apparently decided to attract a different segment of the luxury car market.

“We can’t do an extreme sports car … that’s not us. GTs, though, are on the softer side of a sports car, and we saw that we could occupy the luxury GT end of the [spectrum],” Balmer said.

“There isn’t a GT out there that comfortably seats four adults and has a large boot, nor is there a GT with that mix of Rolls-Royce personality and ride quality with something that’s a bit edgy.”

Select ClienteleRolls-Royce spends plenty of time with its customers

to learn what they want, but the company knows that all sorts of people will ultimately choose a Rolls-Royce.

Customers come from all ages, particularly since the launch of the Ghost, which has proved popular among emerging entrepreneurs, young heirs and heiresses buying their first car, and women.

And then there was the 87-year-old who decided the Phantom was too old for him and so commissioned a Ghost.

“It’s purely a mind-set of how you see yourself and your lifestyle,” Balmer said.

The Wraith, sportier than its siblings, is likely to attract those seeking a luxury car that can cope with idling in traffic and performs well at cruising speed, but can also turn up the power and give a smooth ride at high speeds.

It’s also the first model to be launched with the Bespoke program immediately available. This is of particular interest for customers in Indonesia, one of Rolls-Royce’s biggest markets for customized cars.

“There’s definitely a penchant for things that are well designed among Indonesians … and here we see customers who like to express themselves and they know what they want,” Balmer said.

“We’ve had some very lengthy conversations with Indonesian customers about their cars. Some of them order a car and they’re happy with it, but after six or seven months they come back to us to begin discussing what they’d like for the next one.”

It might sound excessive to have more than one customized Rolls-Royce in the garage, but it’s not uncommon, with the Phantom in particular – unrivaled in the marketplace – attracting repeat buyers.

“Once you’ve arrived at Phantom there’s really nothing else to choose from,” Balmer said.

“Some people do tend to collect them … and then as the car starts getting a bit old they might pass it on to family members or friends.”

Dimensions• Width: 1947 mm • Length: 5269 mm • Height: 1507 mm • Boot volume: 470 liters• Weight: 2360 kg

SIZE MATTERS

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14 November 24, 2013JPLUS

parenTING

smoking, but it’s all around us. She knows the brands by heart from their advertising.”

It is a well-known fact that smoking is bad for your health. Equally bad, though much less understood among the general public, are the dangers of second-hand smoke, a continued exposure to which can lead to diseases and even death.

This passive inhalation of second-hand smoke is particularly acute in Indonesia, a country that has the world’s highest male smoking rate.

Children are especially at risk from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. According to research by the National

Commission for Child Protection, some 121 million Indonesian families have members who smoke, which means that at least that many Indonesian children are passive smokers.

This pervasive national threat of passive smoking among children has inspired a diverse collection of people

from different backgrounds to come together and begin a community initiative

called Project Jernih (Project Clean) that aims to raise awareness on the dangers of exposing children to cigarette smoke.

“We are citizens of Indonesia who care about the children and the threat that cigarette smoke poses for their future,” said Bernaldi Pamuntjak, one of the project’s founders. “We hope that we can use this campaign to protect children from the negative effects of cigarette smoke by raising awareness among smokers and non-smokers who don’t want to become passive smokers.”

The campaign, launched on Nov. 7, kicked off with a screening of several short Project Clean films, which was proceeded with several public figures giving their views on the ethics of household smoking.

“Aside from being a direct trigger for disease, second-hand smoke also triggers other more severe problems,” said Nastiti N. Rahajoe, a respirologist who was one of the speakers. “Cigarette smoke alters the immune structure of your respiration system so that getting affected by diseases

like tuberculosis will end up having a much stronger impact on your body.”

Hanny Soema Di Pradja, who is the director of FeMale Radio, which is one of Project Clean’s media partners, said that parents and other adults need to be aware of how important it is to give children a sanitary environment.

“Because these children symbolize the hope of our nation, they have the right to a healthy life,” Hanny said.

Other supporters of Project Clean include Aksara. Its director and founder, Arini Subianto, also voiced her company’s full support. “Not smoking in front of children also means that we don’t expose this unhealthy lifestyle in front of them,” Arini said.

PT Kinocare Era Kosmetindo national promotion manager Alfons Chandra expressed concerns about the rise of passive smoking. “We want to do our best to ensure that kids can have enjoyable childhoods and achieve their future goals,” Alfons said.

COMING CLEAN FOR THE KIDS

PARENTS MUST BE AWARE OF THE NEED TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM SMOKING, INCLUDING IN THE HOME.WORDS PRASIDDHA GUSTANTO

IN A SOCIAL media message recently, journalist Gracia Danarti railed against parents who smoke in the presence of their children. Not only does the practice introduce children to the smoking habit, but it also puts them at risk of developing tobacco-related diseases.

“I won’t let my husband smoke in the house, and my hope is that he will eventually quit,” says the mother of a young daughter. “But his clothes still reek of smoke. I am doing my best to protect my daughter from

HE’S BEEN dubbed the second coming of George Clooney, with his dark Ray Bans, Gucci outfits and Cristiano Ronaldo hairstyle. But Alonso Mateo won’t be going on dates or voted ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by People Magazine anytime soon.

You see, the devastatingly gorgeous chap whose suave style on Instagram has earned him 59,337 followers – and counting – is only five.

His mother, Luisa Fernanda Espinosa, is a freelance fashion stylist who posts her son’s pictures and made him the improbable style icon.

In each photo, Mateo – who’s always fully kitted out in an endless array of Tom Ford, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Alexander Wang – strikes a pose that’s worthy of a high-fashion magazine: a hand in pocket, gazing off into the distance, or sometimes staring smugly at the camera lens.

However, the kid is by no means the latest in an Internet lineage of child style icons. These days, a quick search on the world wide web is bound to yield hundreds of snapshots of young ‘uns dressed to the nines and even a handful of kids’ style blogs – all posted by fashion-savvy parents themselves.

This phenomena, which sees average mums and dads feel their kids need to compete in the fashion world, has been nicknamed by British tabloid The Daily Mail as the “Suri Cruise effect” after Tom Cruise and Kathy Holmes’ seven-year-old Burberry-loving kid. In turn, fashion labels are responding with their own line of clothes catered to the little ones – American designer Michael Kors has created high heels for little princesses as young as six.

But we’re not just talking about the West.

In Malaysia, Jacob – also known as Jaco3oy on his Instagram account and blog – may only be nine months going on 10, but has almost 23,000 followers, thanks to his mother Shaine Wong.

A full-time mom, the 27-year-old started out by sharing pictures of her smartly-dressed newborn early this year, but only with family members and friends. But as Jacob’s style repertoire grew, so did his fans.

They oohed and aahed, not just over the infant’s toothless grins and chubby cheeks but also his all-too-adorable dress sense, from fashionable onesies to skinny pants and tees by high fashion labels such as

A LITTLE CHICWORDS LOUISA LIM THE STAR/ANN/KUALA LUMPUR

Paul Smith, Burberry and Ralph Lauren.

Dressed to Excess?It’s easy to criticize these families

for encouraging their children to be materialistic. Wong, however, denies she is doing so.

“He’s our first-born,” she says. “His father and I like to dress up when we go out, so it doesn’t make sense if our child dresses sloppily.”

But according to Nathan Greenberg in his article Children’s Fashion Is Not Important for the Huffington Post, fashion shouldn’t even be a priority for kids.

“Of all the things we want our kids to enjoy, looking cool shouldn’t be one of them. Kids have so much adventure to experience and so many lessons to learn

that plaids and polka dots shouldn’t even register on the radar. Let them get paint in their hair, sand in their shoes. Let them make mud pies with their best friends.”

The founder of proactivedads.com also adds: “Imagine the time and money you would save if you stopped caring about your toddler’s color combinations and pattern matches. The possibilities are endless and your child will love you for it. Really.”

The little ones, meanwhile, seem to have their own say on things.

Made from the softest, finest calfskin leather or not, his Hermes shoes don’t seem to impress Jacob too much; the tiny tot twitches restlessly whenever mom tries to put it on.

But until he grows up, he will be stuck with their Guccis, Pradas and Burberrys – not a bad prospect, really.

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It all started with

stylish Suri.

15November 24, 2013JPLUS

table of FRIENDS

Join us at the table: send your feedback to @TOFChat and @JPlusSunday

@edwardsuhadiSTREAMING RADIO is one of my greatest discoveries on the Internet. Try 8tracks.com if you haven’t – they stream a lot of indie singles with tagged moods. You will be good to go with “Monday morning” or “inspiring beat”.

Lately I also found jazzradio.com to be my first go-to. Streaming jazz of every conceivable genre you can think of, it sets just the right mood and you feel kinda cool because you haven’t heard any of these great songs. You know, that same feeling of discovery when you’re in a record store.

I also listen to spiritual songs in the morning, especially when I am down due to a lot of pressure (duh). Yeah, I know I might not look the type :) But humming that reminder that I am not alone in whatever I am doing keeps the spirit alive and the understanding that nothing is impossible.

@iwetramadhanDAMN THIS is hard! Hmm, as a person working in radio and listening to music for hours nonstop, I prefer not to listen to any

music or sound on weekdays. But ... I do listen to music or TV news on the weekend. I love to hear people talk better than music ....

But if I really do have to name a type of music that I would prefer

to hear in the morning, I would say Swing is the best because it’s a mood

booster. I really love Tony Bennett, Mr. Bubble and have been listening to Yannick Bovie.

PLAYING Our Tune

@zoyaamirinI RECORDED a cassette for every mood – morning, low, feeling romantic, mellow –15

years ago ... I also had my traffic jam playlist and fave love songs, too. When I came back from the US in the summer of 2012, my morning routine became to listen

to local radio with a cup of Indonesian premium coffee (needless to say, I put on my makeup first). My weekly morning radio list is: Monday spent with Kemal and Tj 98.7 Gen FM (they make my Mondays awesome), Tuesday is for 97.9 Female Radio (fewer commercial breaks, isn’t it fun), Wednesday for Slow Machine 95.1 Kis FM Jakarta (my fave day of all), Thursday and Friday

my fave Maroon 5, or one of KLA Project albums, Jason Mraz and Morning Compilation, Saturday is romantic with 88.00 Mustang FM and Sunday with

95.1 Kis FM, again because they play all the old ‘90s songs (I’m old and desperately romantic, huh? Ha, ha). A morning song is like a morning roll in the hay – it makes your day ... hey, that rhymes.

@ReneCCMAAAAHHHHH ZABHENYAAAAAA … now that’s my song in the morning! It’s the Zulu cries at the beginning of The Lion King song “Circle of Life”. I may have gotten the spelling wrong, but it sounds just right. Try it if you don’t believe me. Be sure to inhale deep before commencing. No, no need to warn the person next to you – just do it. Shout that Zulu cry, now ;)

On a rather more serious note, my morning anthem is usually the sound of my children and the commanding voice of my darling wife telling them to do stuff :)

Music only happens in the car when I hit the road. No radio – too much chatter, just my very own hand-picked songs from my iPod and lots of audio-books (yeah, I’ve always been a self-proclaimed nerd). “Lion King” is still top of the charts, followed by U2’s “Beautiful Day”. Hakuna Matata, morning people!

LET’S GET A SONG IN OUR HEARTS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

@mrshanantoI AM a self-declared musically untalented person. In fact, even though I studied the piano for seven years, I cannot play a single song. My mom’s family is really musical, and God decided to give all the musical juice to my brother. He plays seven musical instruments while I, on the other hand, don’t even wake up to a song :)

I depend on my husband to play some tunes at home. He’s a Beatles fan. My song choices in the morning fall between a Fab Four song and “Bintang Kecil”. As our youngest daughter is still only 2 years old, right now the latter tune dominates the Hananto household.

Biggest fear . . .Not being a good mother.

Life motto . . .Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Favorite food . . .Salmon cooked in teriyaki sauce – same as

Sheemar.

Favorite music . . .Popular love songs. Even though people say it’s cheesy, but I find it soothing.

Favorite love song“Pilihanku” (My choice) by Maliq and

d’essentials. My husband sang it to me when we were about to get married.

Guilty pleasure . . .Me-time … resting my eyes or reading

comics for a while.

Being a mother taught me . . .To be less selfish. Now, more of my time revolves around caring for my son. But amazingly, I feel more fulfilled and grateful.

Advice for new mothers out there . . .Do lots of research and don’t be shy to ask

20/ 20

questions about parenting.

Craziest thing I’ve ever done . . .Putri Indonesia – I had no experience in modeling and being photographed. I was only 19, saw a poster and signed up. It was the most daring and life-changing thing that I’ve ever done.

Who I would want to invite for dinner . . . Brad Pitt – I’m a longtime fan.

Favorite holiday destination . . >Bali – always a favorite. We went there for our honeymoon, and anything to do with Bali just makes me happy.

Success for me is …Not just about achieving something in this world, but that we also need to fulfill our spiritual side.

Next big plan …Planning to have another baby but before that I want to complete another marathon before that.

My most embarassing moment...It was just after my C-section, and I was still under the effect of the anesthetic, so everything was a bit blurry. I told the doctor that he looked like Brad Pitt. He hasn’t forgotten it and still laughs about it whenever he sees me.

+ Words & Illustration Felicita Goentoro

‘I WISH I COULD DANCE LIKE MY MOM’WITH A FRESH pixie cut and showing a tan, Melanie Putria tells how she has been out and about for her hobby of running lately. The 2002 Putri Indonesia completed a marathon two years ago in Singapore, and has her eyes set on the finish line of the 2014 Tokyo marathon. She runs as often as four to five times per week – more if she can squeeze it in her schedule – declaring 10 kilometers as the minimum distance for a long run on Sundays. The Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love) actress, who married Maliq and D’essentials frontman Angga Puradiredja in March 2010, is taking care of her son, Sheemar Rahman Puradiredja, who is just shy of three years old.

An ideal day . . .Quality time with my husband and son.

Best childhood memory . . .My mother used to take me to work when I was little. She worked as an emcee, and the memory has stuck until now. I learned how to be a public speaker from watching her.

Me in 3 words . . .Indifferent, detailed and fierce, but in a positive way.

Talent I wish I had . . .A dancer. My mother used to be a palace dancer, often representing West Sumatra. But I think I’m quite stiff when it comes to performing traditional dances.