Jakarta

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.”