TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An established artist Arie Batubara asserted that there should be no commercial buildings in Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Cikini of Central Jakarta as it would eliminate its function as the center of arts and culture.

"The presence of commercial areas will automatically degrade or eliminate its function as an arts center," Arie told Tempo, Monday, November 25.

According to him, there should be no commercialization activities in the park areas. If there is one, he added, it should be the impact of the art performance and is not considered as the main goal.

Arie explained that as the arts center, the city's iconic serves as a laboratory for artists and a store to display their best work.

Additionally, an arts center is a barometer that artworks displayed or presented in the area are the best ones. On this basis, Taman Ismail Marzuki was not designed as a profitable place.

"[The government] should return TIM’s function as an arts center which for the past 25 years has been degraded. Jakpro only sells buildings and has no interest in the arts. I have frequently met with Jakpro, but they don’t understand," Arie recalled.

Jakarta provincial administration was carrying out the revitalization project of Taman Ismail Marzuki and planned to build a five-star hotel in the area. Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan appointed PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) to work on the project that cost Rp1.8 trillion. Its construction was targeted to meet for completion by the end of 2021.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA