Erasmuis Huis: Home for artists, art lovers for 35 years
Erasmuis Huis: Home for artists, art lovers for 35 years
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Dutch cultural center has become an essential destination for
Jakarta art lovers. Over its 35 years, its consistency, funding
and the dedication of its staff has meant the Erasmus Huis
(Erasmus House) has kept its reputation as one of the most
important art centers in Jakarta, if not Indonesia.
Named after the 15th Century Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus
of Rotterdam, the Erasmus Huis is one of two Dutch cultural
centers in the world. The other is in France.
Maarten CH Mulder, the director, said the establishment of the
center was "... obviously because of our shared history."
"We want to promote Dutch culture as well as culture in
general," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
The Erasmus has been a home for Indonesian and Dutch artists
since it was opened at Jl. Menteng Raya 25 in 1970.
Among Jakartans, the Erasmus is known for its quality
classical and jazz music performances. Mulder said classical
music became the core of Erasmus events due to the acoustic
qualities of its hall and the public interest in the events.
"We have built a solid audience of classical and jazz music
buffs," he said.
While some of the performers are Dutch, most are Indonesians
and the center cooperates with several Indonesian partners,
including universities and music schools.
It also presents film festivals and exhibitions ranging from
historical projects to the applied arts. Indonesian artists are,
of course, welcome.
"We set standards, but the main point is the idea that you do
it seriously. We even allow children to perform here," said
Mulder, who is assisted by his deputy, Antje vels Heijn, in
running the center.
The Erasmus Huis also nurtures the relationship between the
Netherlands and Indonesia through an artist exchange program.
Dutch artists, who are invited by the Erasmus to work and
exhibit in Jakarta, are usually sent to areas that work as
"partners" to the center in Semarang, Surabaya or Yogyakarta.
The artists are usually asked to hold workshops or master
classes for students or art lovers here. The same applies to
Indonesian artists invited to the Netherlands.
"(These activities) will create a better understanding of each
other," said Mulder, who has been promoting culture for 25 years.
During his four years here, he said he faced no difficulties
working with Indonesians.
"I have no objections but 'turn your cellular phone off
please' for the classical performances," he said with a chuckle.
Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Jakarta 12950.
Telephone: (021) 524 1069
Fax: (021) 5275978
Email: info@erasmushuis.or.id
Website: www.erasmushuis.or.id