Author Description

In power since 1965, Indonesia's New Order government has formulated distinctive policies for cultural development. What effect have these policies had on individual artists and on art forms? This collection of fifteen essays explores the theme in the areas of literature, drama, film, television, painting, contemporary art, architecture, music, and language. The authors are all specialists in their fields with detailed knowledge of their subjects. The essays touch on current debates about the role of the artist in Indonesian society and discuss recent trends in the various genres. One of the points made in the essays is the construction of an official Indonesian national culture which draws heavily on 'high' Javanese culture. As a reaction to this 'Javanism', there has been renewed pride in local/regional cultures, in genres as diverse as domestic architecture, drama, and music. However, as examples in the essays show, regional traditions which survive have done so by adapting to new contexts. The New Order has succeeded in creating a recognizable national culture, but this has not been at the expense of the vitality and creativity of individual Indonesian artists who passionately continue to communicate their concerns to a wider audience.