Museums need help to protect cultural legacy

Museums need help to protect cultural legacy

JAKARTA (JP): Fine art is becoming more popular in Indonesia,
but this new found appreciation is not all positive.

When at least six paintings were allegedly stolen from the
National Museum recently, the thieves took advantage of the
dilapidated condition of Indonesian museums.

There are now more painters and art collectors in Indonesia,
and the works of a few painters have improved tremendously. There
are also significant increases in the quantity and quality of art
exhibitions held by galleries. The galleries are being run with
increasing professionalism. And art writers are working with them
closely to promote their shows.

While the artists, galleries and art writers have been quick
to meet the challenge of an Indonesian art boom, museums have
failed to develop as quickly, due to their limited budgets and
authority. "I feel sorry about what happened at the National
Museum, but honestly it could easily have happened in any museum
in Indonesia. We need to give more attention to the registration
and storage systems of our museums," said Sudarmadji Damais, the
head of Jakarta History Museum at Taman Fatahillah, Central
Jakarta.

The government is beginning to pay more attention to its
museums, but its efforts need public and private sector support.

The public must pay more attention to its museums. "We need
to be more respectful toward our cultural heritage," said Guruh
Soekarnoputra, an artist and art collector, in response to the
recent theft. Hopefully this incident will make the community pay
more attention toward cultural patrimony in Indonesia, especially
toward art in museums.

The municipal government of Jakarta is working hard to
improve its museums. Its own fine art museum is being renovated
in response to greater public interest in art, particularly in
paintings.

Perhaps the time has come for both the public and the private
sector to establish museums which are not merely warehouses for
works of art and culture, but also institutions of learning
through the display of educational exhibits and places where
people can enjoy and pursue their interests. It seems that it is
time for the concept of a National Art Gallery to be planned and
realized.

-- Amir Sidharta