Art in Jakarta: Cultural Hotspots in Jakarta

Latitudes Travel Award

Our slogan “Latitudes.nu: Your Gateway to Southeast Asia!” has been supported by many travel writers. Over the last two years they have sent us stories from all over the region. Now it’s time to reward the best travel report. You can help us by picking your favourite one. Check Latitudes.nu during the month of April everyday. You may win a price too! Mail your choice to win@latitudes.nu

By: Beatrice

The traffic is horrible, the streets are absurdly flood-prone, and the pollution is suffocating. Yet Jakarta is hardly ever boring, especially event-wise. Admittedly, it is a bit tricky to find out where the happenings take place, although there is almost always something artsy going on in Jakarta. Knowing the usual spots would be a very good start.

Salihara community

Salihara community was only recently established in 2007, but is currently thriving in the Jakarta art scene by regularly holding events-ranging from discussions, and theater, to dance workshops, often all in the same week. The elegant Salihara building is tucked away in a narrow street near Universitas Nasional in Pejaten, South Jakarta.

A longtime player in the city’s cultural scene is Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Cikini, Central Jakarta. TIM, which is also the headquarters of the Jakarta Art Institute, often holds theater or music-related events, performed by the rookies from the Institute as well as seasoned art workers.

Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)

Crazy ideas blossom now and then in the artist collective RuangRupa in Tebet, South Jakarta and the responsible parties are usually glad to share them with you. The works of RuangRupa residents are often displayed along with other artists in numerous galleries, but oftentimes the collective also holds event, such as craft markets and movie screenings, in their headquarters as well.

RuangRupa is always up for quirky out of the box ideas

The Taring Babi Collective in Lenteng Agung is the place to go if you are looking for  woodcut crafts or carvings bearing starkly socio-political messages not unlike the propaganda art in the heydays of communism yet mixed with their own artistic feel.  The collective is also known for housing the folk-punk band Marjinal.

The Taring Babi kids: ideas, art and action!

The Cemara 6 Gallery is also a good starting point for art exhibitions, events and other artsy happenings. They have a café and a homestay as well. Their characterful building is located in Menteng.

Cemara 6 Art Gallery in Menteng

And of course it is a good idea to check out what is happening in the National Gallery in Gambir, Central Jakarta, the Bentara Budaya Jakarta in Palmerah, West Jakarta, or the Jakarta Art Building (Gedung Kesenian Jakarta) in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. If it’s a more international flavor you are looking for, there are plenty to choose from various foreign cultural centers in the city, such as the German’s Goethe Institut, the Japan Foundation or Netherlands’ splendid Erasmus Huis.

The Dutch Erasmushuis

With busy schedules, offerings from Indonesian artists and beyond, and your choice of film, photography, theater, paintings or performance art, you will probably end up having a hard time choosing where to go for your dose of culture. To stay up to date with all cultural events on offer in Jakarta, pick up a Jakarta Java Kini, a Jakarta Globe or Jakarta Post or the excellent Visual Arts Magazine. Jakarta Expat is a great source for expats and residents of Jakarta.