Salihara Art Enclave Begins: Jakarta, West Java

By Barrie | July 22nd, 2007 | No Comments

Spurred on by the success of Utan Kayu arts community in East Jakarta, several noted Indonesian cultural activists led by poet-writer Goenawan Mohamad have established Salihara community with an art complex in South Jakarta.

Witnessed by former Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin, city administration tourism office chief Aurora Tambunan and fellow activists and friends, Goenawan autographed Saturday a stone to mark the commencement of construction of the 3,060 square-meter cultural complex on Jl. Salihara, Pasar Minggu as the article in the Jakarta Post explains.

The Rp 17.5 billion complex will have a “black box” theater that can accommodate 300 people, an oval-cylinder-shaped gallery and a unique four-story building that will accommodate a library, offices, guest house and bookshop.

Like Utan Kayu community with its cafe, Salihara complex will have a food court in an open area situated below the oval gallery.

Supported by several institutions, including Jawa Pos daily, Tempo magazine, Prince Claus Fonds, Hivos, Ford Foundation, Erasmus Huis, Goethe Institute, Freedom Institute and Japan Foundation, the development of the art enclave is scheduled to be completed next year.