Museums need help to protect cultural legacy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Fine art is becoming more popular in Indonesia,
\nbut this new found appreciation is not all positive.<\/p>\n
When at least six paintings were allegedly stolen from the
\nNational Museum recently, the thieves took advantage of the
\ndilapidated condition of Indonesian museums.<\/p>\n
There are now more painters and art collectors in Indonesia,
\nand the works of a few painters have improved tremendously. There
\nare also significant increases in the quantity and quality of art
\nexhibitions held by galleries. The galleries are being run with
\nincreasing professionalism. And art writers are working with them
\nclosely to promote their shows.<\/p>\n
While the artists, galleries and art writers have been quick
\nto meet the challenge of an Indonesian art boom, museums have
\nfailed to develop as quickly, due to their limited budgets and
\nauthority. \"I feel sorry about what happened at the National
\nMuseum, but honestly it could easily have happened in any museum
\nin Indonesia. We need to give more attention to the registration
\nand storage systems of our museums,\" said Sudarmadji Damais, the
\nhead of Jakarta History Museum at Taman Fatahillah, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The government is beginning to pay more attention to its
\nmuseums, but its efforts need public and private sector support.<\/p>\n
The public must pay more attention to its museums. \"We need
\nto be more respectful toward our cultural heritage,\" said Guruh
\nSoekarnoputra, an artist and art collector, in response to the
\nrecent theft. Hopefully this incident will make the community pay
\nmore attention toward cultural patrimony in Indonesia, especially
\ntoward art in museums.<\/p>\n
The municipal government of Jakarta is working hard to
\nimprove its museums. Its own fine art museum is being renovated
\nin response to greater public interest in art, particularly in
\npaintings.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the time has come for both the public and the private
\nsector to establish museums which are not merely warehouses for
\nworks of art and culture, but also institutions of learning
\nthrough the display of educational exhibits and places where
\npeople can enjoy and pursue their interests. It seems that it is
\ntime for the concept of a National Art Gallery to be planned and
\nrealized.<\/p>\n
-- Amir Sidharta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/museums-need-help-to-protect-cultural-legacy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }