TIM marks 30th anniversary with problems<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): On the morning of Nov. 10, hundreds of young
\ncivilian security guards armed with long bamboo sticks, spears
\nand other sharp weapons converged on the main gate of Taman
\nIsmail Marzuki (TIM) arts center, which was celebrating its 30th
\nanniversary.<\/p>\n
These combative youngsters were not invited by TIM's
\nmanagement to safeguard the center or to participate in the
\nanniversary celebration. Neither were they there to commemorate
\nNational Heroes' Day, which falls on the same date.<\/p>\n
Their presence at TIM was meant to prevent Amien Rais, a noted
\nreform leader who now chairs the National Mandate Party, from
\ndelivering his cultural speech at Graha Bhakti Budaya to mark the
\nopening of November Festival, a month-long anniversary program.<\/p>\n
Although Amien finally reached the stage and presented his
\nspeech, Culture and Power, the atmosphere at the center was as
\ntense as in another part of Jakarta, which was hosting the
\nSpecial Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
TIM's anniversary this year was very ironic and depressing.
\nTIM has been regarded as an oasis for the arts and culture. But
\nthe scene at TIM on Tuesday was a symbol of a power intrusion on
\nthe people's freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
At the age of 30, TIM is facing a lot of challenging problems
\nconcerning its major roles as the center for the freedom of
\nartistic and intellectual expression, as stated by its founding
\nfathers.<\/p>\n
TIM's general manager, Wisnumurti, admitted that TIM has been
\nworking very hard to maintain its position.<\/p>\n
\"We are facing different conditions but the spirit of TIM will
\nremain the same,\" Wisnumurti said.<\/p>\n
TIM, established under the auspices of former Jakarta governor
\nAli Sadikin, brought a ray of hope to many Indonesian artists who
\nhad long dreamed of having a cultural center where they could
\nexpress their artistic creation freely.<\/p>\n
The construction of art facilities was completed on Nov. 10,
\n1968. It is located on the former site of a park of the famous
\npainter Raden Saleh's residence, Jl. Cikini Raya, Central
\nJakarta, then used as the city's zoological park.<\/p>\n
The newly established TIM consisted of, among others, Teater
\nArena (open-door theater), Teater Tertutup (close-door theater),
\nan office building, a film center, a fine arts galleries and a
\nplanetarium.<\/p>\n
Playwright Putu Wijaya remembered that artists in Jakarta were
\nenthusiastic about welcoming this new arts center. \"We were like
\nkids who were given a new toy,\" Putu recalled.<\/p>\n
A few years later, the 5.5-hectare arts center had more
\nfacilities added, including a 800-seat Graha Bhakti Budaya Hall,
\ncampus building of the Jakarta Arts Institute and the H.B. Jassin
\nLiterary Documentation Center.<\/p>\n
TIM became a parameter of artistic achievement. TIM has
\ncontributed greatly to the emergence of highly reputable artists,
\nincluding, just to name a few: Oesman Effendi, Roesli, Popo
\nIskandar and Affandi in fine arts; Wahyu Sihombing, W.S. Rendra,
\nPutu Wijaya and Nano Riantiarno in theater; Teguh Karya, Slamet
\nRahardjo, D. Djayakusuma and Ami Priyono in film; and Taufiq
\nIsmail, H.B. Jassin and Sutardjo C. Bachrie in literature.<\/p>\n
In its so far 30 years of existence, TIM has had its share of
\nups and downs. Many artists have claimed that TIM is paralyzed
\nnow.<\/p>\n
\"TIM has been undergoing serious setbacks. It has ceased to
\nblaze the trail for the country's art and cultural activities,
\nespecially in the past 10 years,\" playwright W.S. Rendra once
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Putu, however, added that since its establishment, TIM has
\nfaced several major problems.<\/p>\n
\"TIM doesn't only deal with artists but also with bureaucrats
\nand audiences. It is also closely involved with funding and
\nartistic management. It is a complicated business,\" Putu said.<\/p>\n
Adie Moersid, chairman of the Jakarta Arts Foundation, a body
\nwhich is responsible for financially supporting TIM's art
\nprograms, admitted that TIM's vitality must be revived.<\/p>\n
\"We are now undergoing a series of projects to improve TIM's
\nsoftware and hardware,\" said Adie, who is also the rector of the
\nJakarta Arts Institute.<\/p>\n
Physically, he said, TIM needs major improvements. A gradual
\nand an integrated renovation project to develop TIM into a modern
\nand sophisticated art center is underway.<\/p>\n
\"The construction of the planned Grand Theater has been halted
\ntemporary because of the economic crisis. I hope we can find ways
\nof collecting more funds to resume the project,\" said Adie.<\/p>\n
In addition to physical problems, TIM is also facing serious
\nproblems with its management and human resources development.<\/p>\n
\"If we want to develop a modern art center, we must be ready
\nto operate them. Meaning that we should have people who are
\ncompetent to do so,\" he said.<\/p>\n
At present, TIM is jointly working with the Ford Foundation,
\nwhich provides grants, to upgrade the management skills of TIM's
\npersonnel.<\/p>\n
Ideally, he said, TIM must be managed independently by artists
\nwith high management skills and professionals who have a wide
\nknowledge and understanding on art and cultural issues.<\/p>\n
\"I am sure that this dream is feasible if we work very hard,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Art facilities in Indonesia are behind those of neighboring
\ncountries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
These countries are actively promoting art activities and
\nreceive positive responses from their respective governments,
\nprivate sectors and audiences.<\/p>\n
Singapore, for instance, is currently building a huge modern
\nart center to accommodate its people's demand for quality art
\nperformances. The Singaporean government conducted a very serious
\nresearch and survey on the need for an art center before it
\nstarted construction.<\/p>\n
\"TIM needs integrated public relations and promotional
\ncampaigns in an attempt to improve its image among artists and
\nthe community,\" Adie said.<\/p>",
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