Artists Inspect Taman Ismail Marzuki Revamp Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Artists and members of the Seniman Peduli Taman Ismail Marzuki Forum (FSPTIM) inspected today the revitalization project of Ismail Marzuki Park in Cikini, Jakarta, which was reportedly under the final stage. 

They were determined to ensure that the revamp project was not for commercialization of the city’s arts, cultural, and science center. After the inspection, they questioned the rooftop swimming pool in the Gedung Panjang which was designated as a guest house.

“It's a bit odd that there is a swimming pool [on the rooftop]. I didn't understand it from the beginning and didn't know exactly that there was a pool. Hopefully, it is not for the bourgeoisie who have nothing to do with TIM,” said forum coordinator Tatan Daniel on Friday, May 27, 2022.

In general, Tatan acknowledged that the revitalization project by the city-run developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) was based on the initial discussions with the artists some time ago. He emphasized that the most important thing was that Gedung Panjang is used as a guest house, instead of as a five-star hotel.

“Hopefully, it’s really for artists, not for the general public,” he said.

The Jakarta Provincial Government was keen on facelifting the Jakarta Arts Center of Taman Ismail Marzuki (PKJ-TIM) and restoring its function as originally designed when it was established in 1968.

Jakarta Culture Agency head Iwan Henry Wardhana explained Taman Ismail Marzuki will have new facilities, viz. Teater Halaman or open-air theater, Arena Theater, Annex Gallery, and Cultural Training Center. The revitalized facilities, meanwhile, included Graha Bhakti Budaya, the galleries of fine arts Galeri Cipta 1, 2, and 3, as well as a library.

ARRIJAL RACHMAN

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