The dark, 19th century colonial thriller (The Hidden Power) by Louis Couperus as well as contemporary developments and topics in Dutch-Indonesian and Indonesian society formed the inspiration for this intriguing ensemble piece. The delicate choreography for five dancers and staging including five mosquito nets, a video beamer and electronic music, particularly focuses on the subject of a double standard concerning erotic morality.

Since Couperus described the secretive and sensual ambiguity of East Java one century ago (which applied even more so for Dutch-Indonesia) the contemporary situation within the Indonesian community has not really changed and it still seems to struggle with a dubious attitude towards sexuality, affection and their expression. Probably partially motivated by the intention to irradicate once and for all morality laws dating from the Dutch colonial period, the present Indonesian government has recently considered a reformation of its legal code with the goal of severely persecuting any public exhibition of (intimate) affection. Unfortunately public morality, legal systems and taboos often restrict human behaviour and needs which are in essence completely natural. During the finale of the performance ancient texts hopefully will remind us of a time when the expression of eroticism was considered natural and even poetic.