MPR Member Urges Artists to Embrace Digital Promotion on a Massive Scale

Semarang (ANTARA) — Member of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Samuel Wattimena has called on artists to make massive use of digital technology as a means of promotion.

“I tried to exchange ideas, to offer insights and concepts that art performances do not always have to take the form they have known all along,” he said in Bawen, Semarang Regency, Central Java, on Monday evening.

He made the remarks during a socialisation event for the MPR’s Four Pillars of Nationhood at the Bawen Sub-district Office in Semarang Regency, Central Java.

In Indonesia’s current conditions, he said, everyone — including artists — cannot rely solely on physical spaces to develop their craft, such as performing on stage.

“Those who perform on dedicated stages have dedicated audiences. We have now entered the technological era, the digital era, and this is actually an even greater opportunity to introduce Javanese arts,” he said.

Samuel, who also serves on Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR), reminded the public to be ready to adapt and even be bold in leveraging digital technological developments.

“If the community isn’t ready, if their mindset remains stuck in the past, then in my view they should be helped, their perspective should be opened up to see the opportunities that technology offers,” he said.

“What is it that they want to communicate through their performance style? Through their dances? Through their macapat songs? Through their sinden singing? Through their pranata cara?” he said.

In connection with the event, he expressed confidence that artists have long been embodying the values of the MPR’s Four Pillars through their conduct and artistic output.

However, he said the socialisation effort remains important to ground the MPR’s Four Pillars so they can become part of the spirit of society in their daily lives and in the life of the nation.

Meanwhile, Aris Enjang Wiyarno, Chairman of the Bawen Sub-district Arts Council (LKK), said he would step up promotion efforts by leveraging digital technology, particularly through social media.

“For promotion, we will certainly work hard, and the key will be social media as well. We have several venues for artistic expression, for example at Bukit Cinta, Gedong Songo, and at Benteng,” he said.

Under the auspices of LKK Bawen, he said, there are at least 40 arts practitioners from seven villages and two urban wards.