Finding Aid for Robert E Brown Papers and Center for World Music Records, 1945-2005 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

By Natalie Hansen, Casae Hobbs, Rumyana Hristova, Brandon Pieczko, Elizabeth Sullivan, Rosemary Trippe, Melissa VandeBurgt, Amanda Goodsett, Lydia Tang, Karoline Burrall Li, and Jessica Lapinsky

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Collection Overview

Title: Robert E Brown Papers and Center for World Music Records, 1945-2005

ID: 12/5/58

Primary Creator: Brown, Robert E. (Robert Edward) (1927-2005)

Extent: 222.55 cubic feet

Arrangement: Organized in six series: Series 1, American Society of Eastern Arts Society Records, ca. 1963-1978; Series 2, Center for World Music Records, ca. 1978-2005; Series 3, Robert E. Brown's Personal and Research Papers, 1945-2005; Series 4, Photographic Material, 1959-2005; Series 5, Audio-visual Recordings, ca. 1963-2005; and Series 6, Instruments.

Date Acquired: 07/21/2006. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Ethnomusicology, Music, Musical Instrument Collections, Photographs, World Music

Formats/Genres: Motion Pictures/Videotapes, Papers, Sound Recordings

Languages: English, Balinese, Hindi, Japanese

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Consists of personal papers, correspondence, lecture and research notes, photographs, sound recordings, publications, music instruments and administrative records documenting Brown's career as an ethomusicologist and head of the Center for World Music between 1945 and 2005.

Biographical Note

Robert E. "Bob" Brown (18 April 1927 - 29 November 2005) was a world famous ethnomusicologist, and the longtime president of the Center for World Music, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an understanding of world music and performing arts through workshops, concerts, lectures and study abroad programs. Bob Brown is credited with coining the term "world music," and during his lifetime worked extensively to increase awareness of non-western cultures and music, especially those of India and Indonesia.

Robert E. Brown grew up in Clinton, NY and spent his undergraduate and graduate years at Ithaca College and Cornell University. Although Brown had a background in a wide variety of instruments, in 1953, he entered the PhD program at UCLA as a piano major. After Mantel Hood, famous American ethnomusicologist, arrived at UCLA, Brown switched into the new ethnomusicology program and became Hood's first graduate assistant. Brown's time at UCLA resulted in his dissertation, titled The Mrdanga: A Study of Drumming in South India (1965).

In 1961, Bob Brown began teaching at Wesleyan University, where he founded the school's own ethnomusicology program. Brown's philosophy, following that of Hood, was that students should become musically proficient in two cultures, their own native culture, and that of another. Students would then become "bi-musical". The concept of learning from music masters from other cultures shaped the way Brown taught, and how he fulfilled the mission of the Center for World Music. During the 1970s, Robert E. Brown served as visiting lecturer at three universities, until Brown joined the faculty of the San Diego State University School of Music as chairman in 1979. While at SDSU, Brown introduced world music classes and performance groups, such as gamelan groups, to the school and the surrounding community. He remained chairman until 1982, and retired in 1992.

Throughout his life, Brown was also heavily involved with the organization called the Center for World Music. In 1963 Samuel L. Scripps and his wife Luise founded the American Society for Eastern Arts. Scripps, a life long supporter of the arts, saw the ASEA as a way of brining Asian artists to America to present workshop and performances. Robert Brown was a dedicated member of the ASEA from the start, and in 1973, he was named Executive Director of the ASEA and of the newly formed Center for World Music. At its inception, the Center for World Music was to be the physical meeting space for ASEA events and for performances of other music cultures, such as those from Africa and South America. By 1978, Scripps had left the ASEA, and the organization dropped the use of the name "American Society for Eastern Arts," becoming known exclusively the Center for World Music and the Related Arts. From 1978-1982, the Center for World Music and SDSU, where Brown was teaching at the time, developed a mutual program, which resulted in festivals, study abroad programs, and concerts. From 1982 until his death in 2005, Brown led the Center for World Music in the development of World Music in the Schools programs, and new study abroad opportunities in India, Turkey, and Indonesia, where he was the owner of Girikusuma (Flower Mountain), a center for traditional Balinese performing arts.

Subject/Index Terms

Ethnomusicology
Music
Musical Instrument Collections
Photographs
World Music

Administrative Information

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals:

Additional material transfered from Philip Yamplosky, 12/21/2011.

The material in boxes 139-141 was acquired in 2006, but sent to Media Preservation for mold remediation shortly after and did not return to the Sousa Archives until 2018.

The Saung-gauk (Burmese harp and stand), ca. 1950s, was transferred from the School of Music to the Center on 9/1/2022. Prior to this time the instrument which was part of the original acquisition remained in the School of Music director's office until about 2012, and then was transferred to the school's music instrument unit where it remained until 2022.

Acquisition Source: Robert E. Brown Estate

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: American Society for Eastern Arts Records, c. 1963-1978],
[Series 2: Center for World Music Records, c. 1978-2005],
[Series 3: Robert E. Brown's Personal and Research Papers, 1945-2005],
[Series 4: Photographic Material, 1959-2005],
[Series 5: Audio-visual Materials, c. 1963-2005],
[Series 6: Music Instruments, ca. 1950s],
[All]

Series 2: Center for World Music Records, c. 1978-2005

Consists of correspondence, administrative records, programs, flyers, and planning documents for concerts, workshops, lectures, and study abroad programs conducted by the Center for World Music. The series is organized into three subseries: Subseries 1. Administrative Records, Subseries 2. Concerts, Workshops, and Lectures, and Subseries 3. Study Abroad Programs.

Sub-Series 1: Administrative Records, 1978-2005

Consists of correspondence, financial records, board meeting minutes, artist backgrounds and contracts, and grant applications. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by record type or topic, and chronologically thereunder. Electronic records are found at the end of the series.

Box 19

Folder 1: Alternative Museum Articles, 1978-1982
Folder 2: Annual Meeting: Agenda and Supporting Material, May 19, 1985
Folder 3: Artists, 1986-1987
Folder 4: Artists' Backgrounds, 1978-1991
Folder 5: Artists in Communities Grant Application, 1987
Folder 6: Artists' Contracts, 1978-1984
Folder 7: Artists in Residence Income and Expenses, 2000
Folder 8: Aruda Background, 1987
Folder 9: Balasaraswati Information, 1984
Folder 10: Balasaraswati: A Tribute to the Artist and Her Art, 1985
Folder 11: Bay Areas Supporters of the Center for World Music Group, 1987
Folder 12: Board of Directors Information, 1989
Folder 13: Board Meeting Minutes, 1980
Folder 14: Board Meeting Minutes, 1983
Folder 15: Board Meeting Minutes, 1983-1986
Folder 16: Board Meeting Minutes, with CWM Report by Allen Gates, 1987
Folder 17: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1987
Folder 18: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1988
Folder 19: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1990
Folder 20: Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas, 1990-1991
Folder 21: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1991
Folder 22: Board Meeting Minutes, 1992
Folder 23: Board Meeting Minutes, 1993-1994
Folder 24: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1996
Folder 25: Board Meeting Minutes, Emails, and Supporting Material, 1996-1998
Folder 26: Board Meeting Minutes and Supporting Material, 1997
Folder 27: Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas, 1997-1999
Folder 28: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 1998
Folder 29: Board Meeting Minutes, 2000
Folder 30: Board Meeting Minutes, with Supporting Material, 2001
Folder 31: Board Meeting Minutes, 2004
Folder 32: Board Members, 1990
Folder 33: A Brief History of the ASEA and CWM in the Bay Area from 1963, 2004
Folder 34: Brown Personal Instrument Survey for CWM, undated
Folder 35: Budgets, 1980-1982
Folder 36: Budgets and Board Meetings, 1983-1984
Folder 37: Budget Summary, 1998
Folder 38: California Arts Council Organizational Support Program Application, 1991-1992
Folder 39: California Arts Council Exemplary Arts Partnership Program Application, 2001
Folder 40: Center for World Music, 1980-1982

Box 31

Folder 6: Board Meeting Minutes, 1988

Box 20

Folder 1: Center for World Music Relationship with SDSU, 1985-1987
Folder 2: Center for World Music, Documentation, 1992
Folder 3: Center for World Music in San Francisco, 1995
Folder 4: Combined Arts and Education Council Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, 1985
Folder 5: Combined Arts and Education Council Meeting Minutes, 1987
Folder 6: Combined Arts and Education Council Meeting Minutes, 1988
Folder 7: Correspondence, A-M, 1978-2000
Folder 8: Correspondence, N-Z, 1978-2000
Folder 9: Correspondence about Grants, 1986-1991
Folder 10: Correspondence, Miscellaneous, 1980-1984
Folder 11: CWM Board of Directors, 1980-1981
Folder 12: CWM Savings Account, 2000
Folder 13: Deerhorn Valley, Building Ideas, 1984
Folder 14: Deerhorn Valley Property, Expenses, 1984
Folder 15: Education Committee Meeting Minutes, June 5, 1991
Folder 16: Executive Committee Meeting, 1991
Folder 17: Executive Director Information File, 1987
Folder 18: Expenses, 1990
Folder 19: Film Rental, 1978-1979
Folder 20: Financial Report, April 30, 1980
Folder 21: Financial Reports, 1980-1985
Folder 22: Financial Report, December 31, 1985
Folder 23: Finances, 1977-1979
Folder 24: Finances, 1990-1991
Folder 25: Finances, 1994
Folder 26: Finances, 2005
Folder 27: Form Letters and Logos, ca. 1983
Folder 28: Foundation Account (1 of 2), 1980-1983
Folder 29: Foundation Account (2 of 2), 1980-1983
Folder 30: Fundraising, 1980-1987
Folder 31: Guide to Turkish Music CDs, undated
Folder 32: History of ASEA/CWM Illustrated with Photographs from 1972-1975, 2005
Folder 33: History of ASEA/CWM through Posters 1963-2005, 2005
Folder 34: "History of the Center for World Music", undated
Folder 35: "History and Purpose of the Center for World Music", undated
Folder 36: Income and Expenses, 1989
Folder 37: Inventories, 1982
Folder 38: Kraton Solo Broadcast Recording List, July 18, 1983
Folder 39: K.V. Narayanaswamy (1 of 2), 1984
Folder 40: K.V. Narayanaswamy (2 of 2), 1984
Folder 41: Lesson and Concert Income, 1994
Folder 42: "Life on the Water" World Music Series Grant Proposal, 1989

Box 21

Folder 1: Memos and Meeting Minutes, 1991-1996
Folder 2: Multicultural Advancemment Program Application, 2001-2003
Folder 3: Multicultural Arts Community Meeting, March 25, 1987
Folder 4: NEA Documentation and Grant Records, 1976-1998
Folder 5: NEA Grant Application with Financial Report, 1984-1986
Folder 6: NEA Grant Application, 1986
Folder 7: NEA SIte Visit to Seattle, Expenses, 1991
Folder 8: NEA School Program Grant Application, 1997
Folder 9: NEA Grant Application, 2003
Folder 10: New Mexico Visit Notes, 1995
Folder 11: Newsletter, January-February 1985
Folder 12: Organizational Support Application, 1991
Folder 13: Organizational Support Application, 1995
Folder 14: Phone Folder, 1998-1999
Folder 15: Plus Factor Plan for Center for World Music Activities, 1984
Folder 16: A Quick Visual Overview of the Center for World Music, 2001
Folder 17: San Francisco Fundraising Trip, September - October, 1989
Folder 18: Stationary and Forms Samples, undated
Folder 19: Tax Information, 1985
Folder 20: Tax Information, 1991-1997
Folder 21: Webpage Overview, 2000
Folder 22: World Music Media, 1992
Folder 23: World Music in the Schools Grant Accounting, 2005
Folder 24: Zilba, Lorna, 1989

Box 55

Folder 1: Center for World Music Files on 3.5in Floppy Disks, ca. 1990s: 7 3.5in Floppy Disks total

Box 91

Item 8: CD: Bali, 2005: Center for World Music records, including word documents, and pdfs.
Item 9: CD: Center for World Music Files: Maylasia, May, 2003: PDFs and JPEGs of Center for World Music Events
Item 10: DVD: CWM Web Album Wizard, 2001: Files documenting Center for World Music website development
Item 11: CD: A Tour of Flower Mountain - html, 2000: Files documenting website about Flower Mountain.
Item 12: CD: Transfer from old G3, June 13, 2003: Center for World Music administrative and publicity records.

Sub-Series 2: Concerts, Workshops, and Lectures, 1978-2005

Consists of planning notes, flyers, progams, and handouts for Center for World Music sponsored concerts, workshops, and lectures. This subseries is arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically by concert, workshop, or lecture title or topic thereunder. This arrangement reflects the original order of these records. Oversized items are found at the end of the subseries.

Box 21

Folder 25: Center for World Music Course Planning, 1978
Folder 26: Ethnic Dance Festival Application, 1978
Folder 27: Concert and Performance Programs, 1978-2000
Folder 28: Flyers, 1978-2001
Folder 29: Summer Program Planning, 1979
Folder 30: Summer Program Schedules and Teacher Information, 1979
Folder 31: Newspaper Clippings, 1980-1998
Folder 32: Sukay, 1980
Folder 33: Flyers, 1982-1983
Folder 34: Intercon Clippings, 1982
Folder 35: Intercon Documentation, 1982
Folder 36: Intercon Festival Planning, 1982
Folder 37: South India Music Project, 1984
Folder 38: South India Music Project Newsletter #2, 1985
Folder 39: Festival of India Planning Documents, 1985-1986
Folder 40: Munir Bashir and Heritage Musical Group Tour Organization, 1985-1986
Folder 41: The First International Gamelan Festival -- Programs, 1986
Folder 42: Schools Program (GATE), 1986
Folder 43: Promotion for Blue Grass Event, 1986-1987
Folder 44: Schools Program -- Indonesia, 1987
Folder 45: San Diego City Schools Gate Project listings, 1987-1988
Folder 46: San Diego City Schools Gate Program Invoices, 1988
Folder 47: Summer Program Proposal, 1988
Folder 48: Summer Program Budget and Planning Documents, 1988
Folder 49: Summer Program, Out of Pocket Expenses, 1988
Folder 50: Raga Concert Expenses, April 29, 1989
Folder 51: Summer Festival of Performing Arts Brochures, 1989
Folder 52: Summer Program in San Francisco Description, 1989

Box 22

Folder 1: Summer Program in San Francisco Planning and Press, 1989
Folder 2: Lakshmi Shankar Concert, 1990
Folder 3: Indonesia Festival in Balboa Park Tentative Schedule, May 9, 1991
Folder 4: Javanese Shadow Play Performance Planning, May 25-26, 1991
Folder 5: World Classical Performing Arts Meeting, June 27-28, 1991
Folder 6: Museum of Man, Exploring Indonesia, August 28- September 11, 1991
Folder 7: Museum of Man and Indonesia Festival Planning, 1991
Folder 8: Sandhya Ram Concert, 1991
Folder 9: U.S. Conference of Mayors Balinese Gamelan Concert, 1991
Folder 10: Wayang Shadow Play, June 21, 1994
Folder 11: Panchatantra Coloring Book, ca. 1996
Folder 12: World Music in the Schools Program Goals, ca. 1997
Folder 13: World Music in the Schools Program, Pilot Program Planning, 1997
Folder 14: Music in the Schools Program, Gunar Biggs, 1998
Folder 15: Music without Borders Supporting Material, ca. 1998
Folder 16: World Music and the Arts Schools Program, Interest Forms, 1998
Folder 17: Ramayana Performance, 2000
Folder 18: University of Illinois Group Travel Expenses, 2000
Folder 19: Rhythms and Arts of Malaysia Event, May 2003
Folder 20: Student Thank You Notes, 2005
Folder 21: Student Thank You Notes to Aaron, ca. 2005
Folder 22: Student Thank You Notes to Nithya, ca. 2005
Folder 23: World Music in the Schools, Income and Expenditures, 2005
Folder 24: Concerts and Performance Programs, undated
Folder 25: Flyers, undated
Folder 26: Museum School, Balinese Music Program Description and Letters, undated
Folder 27: Music in the Schools Project, Supporting Material, undated
Folder 28: Press Releases, undated
Folder 29: Purna Das Baul Concert, undated
Folder 30: Schools Program, Student Thank You Notes, undated

Box 18

Folder 5: Center for World Music Posters, 1980-1984, 2003
Folder 6: Collage by Bothwell, 1981
Folder 7: Center for World Music Poster and Program Drafts, 1982
Folder 8: Center for World Music Posters, undated

Box 92

Folder 3: Center for World Music: Festival of India Poster, 1985
Folder 4: Center for World Music Event Posters, undated

Oversize Portfolio Box 1

Folder 1: Oversize posters, ca. 1979

Item 2: A Weekend of Indian Music, undated

Item 3: The Klezmorim, undated

Item 4: October Concerts at the Center for World Music, undated

Item 5: Conferal of Living California Treasure by Stanford Gamelan Class, 1979

Item 6: Chinese Skin Shadow Plays, undated

Folder 2: Oversize posters, undated

Item 2: America's Great International Folk Music and Dance Company, "Aman", undated

Item 3: America's International Folk Ensemble, "Aman", undated (2 copies)

Item 4: Center for World Music, undated

Folder 3: Oversize posters, ca. 1974-1986

Item 1: September Concerts, undated

Item 4: First Berkley World Music Festival, undated

Item 7: Ali Akbar Khan, undated

Item 8: First International Gamelan Festival, 1986

Folder 4: Oversize posters, undated

Item 1: Course offerings, undated

Folder 5: Oversize posters, undated

Item 1: November concert offerings, undated

Folder 6: Oversize posters, 1981

Item 1: World Music and Summer Dance Program, 1981

Folder 7: Oversize posters, undated

Item 1: Indonesian Gamelan, undated

Folder 8: Oversize posters, undated

Item 1: Center for World Music logo, undated

Item 2: ASEA Summer school poster, undated

Item 3: Center for World Music presents Musik Antik, undated

Oversize Portfolio Case 2

Item 1: Photo of unknown ensemble, undated: Item 1: Photo of unknown ensemble, undated
Item 2: "The Death of Gondomono" Javanese Shadow Play performance, 1972

Sub-Series 3: Study Abroad Programs, 1978-2005

Consists of planning notes, handouts, flyers and brochures, financial documents, student rosters, and agendas for study abroad programs condcuted throught the Center for World Music. This subseries is arranged chronologically, and then alphabetically by study aboard program title or topic thereunder. This arrangement reflects the original order of these records. Oversized items are found at the end of the subseries.

Box 22

Folder 31: Bali-Java Performing Arts Tour, 1978
Folder 32: India Performing Arts Tour, 1978
Folder 33: Bali-Java Performing Arts Tour Poster, 1981
Folder 34: Bali Land Deal, 1981
Folder 35: Performing Arts of Indonesia Tour Brochure, 1982
Folder 36: Indonesia Tour and School Poster, 1983
Folder 37: Indonesia Tour Intinerary, 1984
Folder 38: Summer Program in Bali and Musik Antik Concerts, 1984
Folder 39: Indonesia, 1985
Folder 40: Clippings from Indian Newspapers, 1986
Folder 41: Indonesia Performing Arts Tour Poster, 1986
Folder 42: India Tour, 1987
Folder 43: Indonesia Tour, 1987
Folder 44: Indonesia Tour, 1988
Folder 45: Indonesia Tour -- Receipts, Income, Expenses, 1988
Folder 46: Summer Tour and India Receipts, 1988
Folder 47: Indonesian Performing Arts Tour, 1989
Folder 48: Arts of Indonesia Tour, 1990
Folder 49: Bali Arts Festival, 1990
Folder 50: Bali Receipts, Summer 1990
Folder 51: Bills for Construction of Gamelan in Bali, Summer 1990
Folder 52: Indonesia Performing Arts Tour, 1991
Folder 53: Indonesia Tour, 1991
Folder 54: Payangan Trip Plans, 1991

Box 23

Folder 1: Indonesia Performing Arts Tour, 1992
Folder 2: Summer Tour to Indonesia, 1992
Folder 3: Bali Payments, 1992-1993
Folder 4: Agra Trip Receipts, January 1993
Folder 5: India Tour, Tanjore Trip Receipts, January 1993
Folder 6: Jaipur Trip Receipts, January 1993
Folder 7: Madras Trip Receipts, January 1993
Folder 8: New Delhi Trip Receipts, January 1993
Folder 9: India and Indonesia Trip Receipts, January-March 1993
Folder 10: Singapore Trip Receipts, January-March 1993
Folder 11: Bali and Java Trip Receipts, February-March 1993
Folder 12: Summer Study Program in Bali, 1993
Folder 13: Bali Encounter Summer Program, 1994
Folder 14: Indonesia Performing Arts Tour, 1994
Folder 15: Payangan-Yayasan Seni Dunia Tradisional, 1994-1996
Folder 16: Bali Payments, 1995
Folder 17: Flower Mountain Newsletters #1-#6, 1995-1997
Folder 18: Indonesian Performing Arts Tour, 1995
Folder 19: Indonesia Tour Brochure, 1995
Folder 20: Payangan - Rentals, 1995
Folder 21: Turkey - Beyati Ayini Notation, October-December 1995
Folder 22: Turkey Images, October-December 1995
Folder 23: Turkey, Letters, October-December 1995
Folder 24: Turkey - Mehter Literature and Cards, October-December 1995
Folder 25: Turkey - Mehter Notation and Record Notes, October-December 1995
Folder 26: Turkey - Notebook, October-December 1995
Folder 27: Turkey - Notebook with Music Lyrics, October-December 1995
Folder 28: Turkey Receipts, October-December 1995
Folder 29: Turkey - Recordings List, October-December 1995
Folder 30: Turkey - Turkish Music Books (1 of 2), October-December 1995
Folder 31: Turkey - Turkish Music Books (2 of 2), October-December 1995
Folder 32: Turkey - Turkish Music Booklet (1 of 3), October-December 1995
Folder 33: Turkey - Turkish Music Booklet (2 of 3), October-December 1995
Folder 34: Turkey - Turkish Music Booklet (3 of 3), October-December 1995

Box 24

Folder 1: Turkey - Turkish Music Handouts, October-December 1995
Folder 2: Turkey - Turkish Music Packet, October-December 1995
Folder 3: Turkey - Turkish Music Scores (1 of 2), October-December 1995
Folder 4: Turkey - Turkish Music Scores (2 of 2), October-December 1995
Folder 5: Turkey - Turkish Music Syllabus by Robert E. Brown, October-December 1995
Folder 6: Flower Mountain Planning Notebook, 1995-1996
Folder 7: Bali, 1996
Folder 8: Indonesia Performing Arts Tour, 1996
Folder 9: Payangan - Inventories, 1996
Folder 10: Stanford Alumni Suitcase Seminar in Bali, 1996
Folder 11: Summer Study Program in Bali, 1996
Folder 12: Seni Punia Tradisional, Masters, 1996-1997
Folder 13: Cultural Tour and Special Study in Indonesia Flyers, 1997
Folder 14: Flower Mountain Newsletter #7, December 7, 1997
Folder 15: Bali Summer Programs Flyers, 1998
Folder 16: Indonesia Cultural Tour, 1998
Folder 17: Istanbul and Beyond Cultural Tour, 1998
Folder 18: Bali Encounter Summer Program, 1999
Folder 19: On Site Workshop in the Arts and Culture of Indonesia - Final Passenger List, 1999
Folder 20: Study Aroad Programs, 1999
Folder 21: Flower Mountain Construction Costs, ca. 1990s
Folder 22: Cultural Tour to Central Java and Bali, 2000
Folder 23: Flower Mountain Room and Board Rates, 2001
Folder 24: Istanbul and Beyond: A Turkish Encounter, Tour Itinerary, March 28-April 7, 2002
Folder 25: Panyangan Festival, 2003
Folder 26: Bali Summer Program Planning Documents, 2003-2005
Folder 27: Bali Summer Program Expenses, 2005
Folder 28: Bali-Java Performing Arts Tour Poster, undated
Folder 29: Tentative Itinerary -- Center for World Music Tour, undated

Box 18

Folder 9: "Performing Arts of Indonesia" Tour Drafts and Poster, 1982
Folder 10: Payangan Festival Posters, 2004