TIM renovation not to halt art activities

TIM renovation not to halt art activities

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has asked the Taman Ismail Marzuki Art Center not to halt art activities completely while the complex is renovated.

Speaking at the breaking of fast dinner with artists on Sunday, Surjadi said that the renovation was meant to provide better facilities for the artists.

"The renovation does not mean to evict the artists from the complex or stop their activities," Surjadi said.

The 28-year old art center, on Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta will undergo major renovation starting May or June.

Wiyogo Atmodarminto, the chairman of the Yayasan Kesenian Jakarta, a local art foundation which raised funds for the project, has said the renovation is expected to swallow Rp 200 billion and to take 10 years to complete.

He explained that the center is no longer adequate as an arts center, therefore, everything in the complex, including the art exhibition center and the Jakarta Art Institute campus will be refurbished to meet international standards.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said on Sunday that Jakarta needs a a representative art center to accommodate the development of the country's culture and spirit.

The new complex will have four zones. The main zone will be a 12-story office building and eight-story Wisma Seni (Art House).

The exhibition hall and information center will be in the second zone, while the new, modern theater will be in the third zone. The Jakarta Art Institute's new campus will occupy the fourth zone. (sur)