Jakarta – Indonesia’s contemporary art community is navigating a period of realignment following nationwide protests and a shift in political priorities, marked by goverment scrutiny and altered funding landscapes. The recent Art Jakarta fair and related events revealed a scene recalibrating after a wave of controversy, with artists and collectives facing new pressures while the government promotes a vision of cultural dominance centered on heritage.
the changes stem from a broader political climate, notably since October 2023, impacting funding decisions and institutional relationships. Groups like WWF, Greenpeace, and local advocates for democracy and free speech found themselves outside the circle of support, alongside a visible tribute to the assassinated human rights activist Munir Said Thalib. ruangrupa, a prominent collective, reports its members have been effectively blacklisted by the new administration due to perceived opposition to hilmar Farid, the former director general of culture under President Joko Widodo.
This year’s Art Jakarta included a governmental initiative to bring ten Asian curators to Indonesia, visiting events like the Yogyakarta Biennale and various art studios. The outreach, part of the “Golden Indonesia 2045” initiative spearheaded by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, aims to position Indonesia as a global cultural leader-an “Indonesian wave” mirroring the success of Korean cultural exports-through its traditional heritage, cuisine, sports, and arts.
Despite the challenges, some government support persists. Indonesia’s tourism ministries sponsored the exhibition, even as ruangrupa’s Rakun observes a focus on heritage over contemporary expression. He characterizes the new direction as “the same old same old,” pointing to the designation of October 17th-President Prabowo’s birthday-as the official National Cultural Day.
Ruru25 hosted a talk featuring Hilmar Farid, a former democracy activist, signaling a complex interplay between past and present political alignments. Rakun states that ruangrupa has faced repercussions for its stance, with the collective’s prominence seemingly irrelevant to the new government. “We say no to a lot of things over funding,” Rakun explained, adding, “It’s easier to just drop places. all institutions have their politics, and now we ask [them], turning the tables.”
