Cafe Sejati spices up NAM art exhibit

Cafe Sejati spices up NAM art exhibit

By Amir Sidharta

JAKARTA (JP): Those who have visited the Contemporary Art of the Non-Aligned Movement Countries exhibition would agree that the existence of Cafe Sejati is a crucial element of the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa gallery.

In terms of the cafe scene, the dining place, organized by Sejati Foundation, is certainly the best thing that has happened in Jakarta since the opening of Cafe Batavia at the end of 1993. And just as the cafe at Fatahillah Square in downtown Kota offers a nice break after visiting Old Jakarta, Cafe Sejati provides a comfortable and relaxing place to rest after touring the seemingly never-ending Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) show. It might even be a good choice for lunch, or a great after-office-hour transit venue before returning home.

The cafe offers a regular menu of Sejati's shashlik, pizza, and samosa, juices and ice creams, tea and coffee. The variety of coffees, from tubruk to cappuccino and including Kopi Luak, Toraja and Arabica Mandailing, mimics the Starbucks menu. There is also a wide range of teas, including Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Ceylon Pekoe, Goalpara and English Breakfast.

The choice of food offered is often wider than the regular menu, depending on who caters. Their specials include Carmanita's macaroni and Svida's carrot cake. They used to have Indonesian sweets that are perfect for high tea, but this feature was discontinued due to lack of demand. Actually, the lack of demand seems to be because people did not know that the goodies were available.

All that, with mellow music, placed in a cool air-conditioned environment, makes for a perfect refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city on a hot and humid day. Since it opened last month it has become a favorite hangout of mine and many others. Even though it is staffed by a company of relative novices in the food and beverage business, they offer friendly service. This puts the cafe at the top of the "places to go" list.

Particularly in the United States and Europe, cafes have become an integral part of museum experiences. Many friends have conveyed that they often dream of enjoying the attached cafes and gift or book stores after museum experiences in Indonesia.

Cafe Sejati clearly meets this demand. Now, people are able to enjoy a museum experience, which includes a cafe and gift shop in Jakarta.

Sejati's efforts certainly warrant commendation, although this raises some questions about the mission of the foundation. As stated in their informational brochure, made available at the cafe, Sejati's goal was "to document the art, culture, knowledge and beliefs of traditional peoples of Indonesia, which in turn open the eyes of the outside world about traditional cultures which may be different, but are their pride." It is unclear how the cafe fits the mission of the foundation.

The foundation's achievements are certainly noteworthy. In 1992, it obtained a research grant, over a three-year period, from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. At the end of 1993, a display of the Bajau of the Tomini Bay in North Sulawesi, entitled Ilmu Bajau: Setinggi Langit Sedalam Samudra (Bajau Knowledge: As High As the Sky, As Deep As the Ocean) at the National Museum became a landmark exhibit in the Indonesian museum scene.

However, since last year, the foundation has diversified its efforts and started to develop politically correct and environmentally friendly products such as note pads and cards using recycled paper as part of their Environmental Media Program. A special fund, separate from the foundation's research monies, was allocated for this program. Although the products are indeed wonderful, how effective they are in helping increase appreciation for and awareness of our environment, remains a question.

At the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa gallery, the foundation's business ventures continued with the cafe and gift and book store. Profits from Sejati's Environmental Media Program provided the cafe's daily operational funds. The foundation's main supporters donated the use of their personal household equipment, including a large refrigerator, an espresso/cappuccino maker, plates, knives, forks, and spoons for the cafe.

Now, the role of the cafe in the foundation's Environmental Media Program has become unclear. At first, the cafe, which screened video documentaries projected on its walls, had an interesting educational potential on a limited scale. However, recently, there have been no more screenings, entirely eliminating that potential.

Then again, is it really necessary for the cafe to also incorporate an educational element? The video screenings may be a nice addition, but as long as the place continues to offer good coffee, and a comfortable environment suitable for lively conversation, with good music in the background, who would complain? After all, we know that the foundation's efforts aimed toward a good cause and should be supported.

Cafe Sejati and the gift shop is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in conjunction with the NAM exhibit at the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa gallery, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14, Central Jakarta.