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Jakarta Post
Art & Culture premium

Mandate, mysticism and the theater of Indonesian power

While Javanese belief continues to shape the symbolism of Indonesian leadership, critics argue its deeper demands for restraint and moral balance are fading from political life.

3 weeks ago
Art & Culture premium

Art Jakarta Papers reframes a familiar medium

Bringing focus to artworks made on and of paper, the exhibition reveals how artists continue to push the expressive limits of the humble, age-old material in an increasingly digital world. ...

1 month ago
Art & Culture premium

Then and Now: Revelations after two decades

An exhibition in Jakarta reunites 11 artists first championed in the late 2000s, tracing how their ideas, materials and methods have evolved amid shifting cultural and technological landscapes. ...

1 month ago

The Latest

Art & Culture premium

Short story: Not so bright lights, Sinking City

After snoozing four times, you turn off your alarm at 5:43 a.m. You list your gratitude: your slim thighs, your mother, your Timberland shoes. Unlike half the office, you’re grateful you’re not being forced to move to IKN or to get married. Mostly, you’re grateful for your phone and Angel, your two-year-old gray Munchkin cat.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

‘Voice Against Reason’: Challenging norms and inspiring reflection through art

Artists from Indonesian and other countries try to break down long-held beliefs, practices and a semblance of normalcy through a variety of works compassing fine arts and performance arts, as well as anything in between, in an exhibition at the Museum MACAN. 

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Abandoned Singapore mall becomes unlikely art haven

Around half a century old, Peace Centre is scheduled to face the wrecking ball later this year, but fans say it has provided a rare space for self-expression.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

National Museum unites multidisciplinary experts to rise from the ashes

The Museum National is working hard to restore artifacts affected by a fire that tore through Building A in September 2023, as well as implementing renovations that are scheduled to take over a year.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Calling all guitar heroes, The Smashing Pumpkins are hiring

The influential alt rockers who achieved 1990s fame with hits including "Cherub Rock" and "Tonight, Tonight" are seeking an additional guitarist and welcoming resumes.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

CTI's 15-year mission and beyond: Safeguarding Indonesia's handwoven legacy

Overshadowed by the more famous and recognized batik, the Indonesian traditional handwoven cloth tenun does not lack supporters at home who strive to get the traditional fabric used more in our daily life. Cita Tenun Indonesia commemorates its 15th anniversary celebrating tenun by providing more training for weavers and introducing the fabric to a wider audience.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Unique Ecuador nativity scene aims for historical accuracy

Some 300 figurines currently on display in a monastery-turned-museum in Quito, Ecuador recount biblical stories surrounding the birth of Jesus, such as Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt to protect their baby or the massacre of the innocents, the tale of King Herod ordering the killing of all male children under two.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

'Soul of our ancestors': US to return stolen Cambodian treasures

The return of the sculptures to their countries of origin would empty the Met's collection of art associated with Douglas Latchford, a dealer charged with smuggling looted artifacts from Southeast Asia, the museum said.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

UNESCO recognizes Ramadan meal tradition of iftar

Iftar, which follows the sunset call to prayer during Ramadan, is associated with gatherings "strengthening family and community ties and promoting charity, solidarity and social exchange," the UNESCO said.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

‘Repatriasi’: Reclaiming Indonesia’s heritage from the shadows of colonialism

The National Gallery of Indonesia is holding an exhibition until Sunday showcasing repatriated artifacts looted by the Dutch colonial power. The exhibition intends to show to the public how rich Indonesia is culturally, and that Indonesians could preserve such precious heirlooms.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

'Masa Depan Batik': Unveiling the industry’s challenges and reshaping its future

Batik has a long tradition in Indonesia and has been recognized by UNESCO as an item of intangible heritage in 2009 while at the same time there are concerns about its future. Dutch artisan and researcher Sabine Bolk, however, is determined to keep up the spirit and skills, ensuring batik will always have a future.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

‘Bicara Melalui Kain’: Redefining textile narratives in Indonesia

Researcher and artisan Lusiana Limono was intrigued to find an old baby blanket made up from a patchwork of cloth pieces by her great-grandmother. The discovery led her to deep-dive into the world of textiles.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

Batik Durian: Weaving the essence of Lubuklinggau into global fashion

Durian and batik may not come naturally in the same breath but that was what one woman leader managed to do in Lubuklinggau city – promoting durian through batik artistry despite the absence of batik history in the city.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

What happens when art meets nature? Meet Semesta's Gallery

Standing on a lush, sloping hill in South Jakarta's Lebak Bulus, Semesta's Gallery has steadily clinched a reputation as one of the most distinctive art galleries in the city.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

Pura Mangkunegaran presents royal heritage in Angsukayana batik exhibit

The Mangkunegaran duchy has launched an exhibition and fashion show to present its rich batik heritage that has developed over the centuries.

2 years ago
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Konnect ASEAN: Bridging cultures through friendship and art

Artists from across Southeast Asian nations and South Korea made friends and discovered new skills through Konnect Asean residency programs.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

OMAH Library: Tangerang's comfy fountain of knowledge

Comfortably nestled within the Taman Villa Meruya housing complex just outside Jakarta, the library-slash-cafe is currently enjoying cult status as a serene haven for passionate architectophiles and urban bibliophiles.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Guilty as charged?: New documentary reignites debate on Jessica Wongso's infamous case

A new Netflix documentary about the controversial “cyanide coffee case” sheds light on Indonesia’s current legal system but does not share any new information regarding the murder of Wayan Mirna Salihin.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

Fulfilling a promise: Teater Abnon revives Betawi’s ‘gambang kromong’ with ‘Janji Soekma’

Teater Abnon features Betawi traditional gambang kromong music in their upcoming production and celebrates its 14th anniversary. 

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

‘Sandyakala Smara’: Reviving the timeless elegance of Kudus batik

Denny Wirawan, in collaboration with the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, presented a fashion show in Kudus, Central Java, featuring the forgotten splendor of Kudus batik. 

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

Lies AR of trailblazing Dara Puspita passes away

Lies Adji Rachman, or Lies AR, cofounder and guitarist of Indonesia’s legendary all-female rock and roll group Dara Puspita, died at 77 on Sunday night in Mojokerto, East Java.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

A Bohemian rhapsody in Jakarta

Lovers of classical music in Jakarta got a hefty dose of a rhapsodic evening of music from Bohemia through the works of Leos Janacek, Bohuslav Martinu, Gustav Mahler and Antonin Dvorak.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Black and White of RI Fiesta of Democracy

General elections are also known as pesta demokrasi (democracy festivals) and they occur every five years. Millions of people helped prepare for of the much-awaited 2019 general election. Volunteers folded ballot papers and distributed ballot boxes to the polling stations (TPS) across Indonesia.  

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Living hope of children on Jakarta's coastline

The hustle and bustle of daily life in Jakarta has created many inspirational stories, such as the creation of Kelas Jurnalis Cilik (Junior Journalism Course). This outdoor classroom has narrated stories about journalism to children in coastal areas of North Jakarta. Despite their limitations, the children have been able to produce honest work filled with meaningful messages.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Iconic Freddie Mercury memorabilia sells for over £3 million

The Sotheby's auction room echoed to the sound of the track "We Will Rock You" before bidding began at the black-tie evening auction.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

Burning Man festival road reopens, allowing thousands to escape muddy trap

Unexpected summer rain turned the weeklong, annual counterculture arts festival into a muddy nightmare.

2 years ago
Art & Culture

The land that is slowly sinking

For the past several months, roads connecting settlements in Cemarajaya village, Karawang, West Java, have been severely damaged by coastal erosion, which has also caused many houses in Cemarajaya’s coastal communities to collapse.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

"Robert Johnson" of Indonesia's Orkes Melayu music finally comes out from the shadows

After months of woodshedding, the band gathered enough materials that they would use to join a recording session at Irama Records studio in Menteng, Central Jakarta, supervised and engineered directly by founder of the legendary label, Suyoso "Mas Yos" Karsono. 

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

‘Litter Critters’: Transforming trash into treasure

Erasmus Huis Jakarta hosts an exhibition that reimagines litter as artworks and inspires people to reconsider how they treat their garbage.

2 years ago
Art & Culture premium

Artjog festival returns

The festival runs from June 30 to Aug. 27 with the theme “Motif: Lamaran” (Motif: Proposal).

2 years ago

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