Arts 4 - Indonesia at Melbourne

It’s time for Indonesians to say goodbye to the ‘supercrip’

Analysis, Arts, Human Rights, Policy in Focus

Indonesia is still basking in the success of the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games. Slamet Thohari writes that while Indonesia deserves the plaudits it received, the Games also served to highlight outdated attitudes to people with disability.

Visual art after Soeharto: meeting the challenges of a booming market

20 Years After Soeharto, Analysis, Arts

Following the fall of the New Order, Indonesian contemporary artists have enjoyed new artistic freedoms, as well as major commercial success. But Dr Wulan Dirgantoro writes that while the contemporary art boom has provided opportunities, it has also involved significant challenges.

Talking Indonesia: human rights on film

Arts, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

"Istirahatlah Kata-Kata" has won praise for its depiction of the life of poet and activist Widji Thukul in exile. In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Jemma Purdey chats to the film's director, Yosep Angi Noen, about how film can provide new opportunities for dealing with histories that remain obscured.

Talking Indonesia: archiving Indonesian art

Arts, Talking Indonesia

The past decade has seen huge interest in Indonesian art, but the country's extensive collection of old and new art remains poorly cataloged. What are the challenges in recording Indonesian art history, and why is it needed? Dr Charlotte Setijadi speaks to Farah Wardani about these issues and more in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

'Istirahatlah Kata-Kata': young audiences discover a dissident poet

Arts, Review

"Istirahatlah Kata-Kata", or "Solo, Solitude", is a moving depiction of the life of dissident poet and activist Widji Thukul during a period of self-imposed exile under the New Order. Elly Kent presents a lovely review of the film, which has been immensely popular since its release on 19 January.

Buru Island, challenging a single version of history

Analysis, Arts, Review

Over the past few months, Rahung Nasution's film, Pulau Buru, Tanah Air Beta (Buru Island, My Homeland), has upset military officials, religious hard-liners and university authorities, who have all attempted to have screenings cancelled. Dr Airlangga Pribadi Kusman takes a look at the film that has caused such controversy.

Hits from the gong: the Instrument Builders Project

Analysis, Arts

The Instrument Builders Project was a collaborative initiative that ran from 2010-2014 and involved Australian and Indonesian artists from a diversity of practices and backgrounds. Program co-curator Kristi Monfries reflects on the role of collaboration and experimentation in the artistic process.

Talking Indonesia: Indonesian cinema

Arts, Talking Indonesia

Indonesian cinema is beginning to make a mark on the world stage, with dozens of films competing in international festivals over recent years. What are the main challenges faced by Indonesian filmmakers? How can these problems be addressed, and what moves, if any, has the government made to strengthen the industry? Dr Ken Setiawan discusses these issues and more with Dr Gaston Soehadi in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Q&A: Andri Cung, director of 'The Sun, the Moon, and the Hurricane'

Arts, Interview

The Sun, the Moon and the Hurricane, the debut feature from emerging Indonesian director Andri Cung, has won acclaim for the raw and beautiful performances of its young cast. Indonesia at Melbourne spoke to Andri before his arrival in Melbourne, where the film is screening at the Indonesian Film Festival 2016.

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