The sound of the saluang is livid, accompanied by the friction of the cello, boisterous percussion, and the tinkling of the piano. I was curious to go up to the balcony on the top floor of Graha Bhakti Budaya (GBB), which was the place of choice to watch at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), maybe because the tickets were cheaper. I was immersed in the excitement of listening to the composition of Adra Karim, Chair of the Music Committee of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ), which beautifully combined with the movements of a dancer.

From the official leaflet at the opening night of the new revitalized TIM on Friday afternoon, September 23, 2022, I just learned that this six-story 14,831 square meter building with a capacity of 954 spectators is chock full of latest and state-of-art technologies, such as a motorized flying bars system, high quality sound system, orchestra pit fit for 45 musicians, as well as a ceiling and wall panel acoustic system. What’s more enjoyable is that my eyes are no longer blocked by the front wall, like I used to from the balcony.

Fortunately, the new GBB is designed with spectators’ comfort in mind, offering the best viewing experience. Suddenly, at the end of the musical performance, Jakarta’ Governor Anies Baswedan appeared from behind the stage. He gave a surprise performance by reading a poem by Rendra, The People Are the Source of Sovereignty. “People are the source of sovereignty / Power without people is parasites without charisma / People are earth / Politics and culture is air / Earth without air is earth without life / Air without earth is empty space”. That was the opening of Rendra’s poem.

Before the music concert, Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia (EKI) Dance Company performed a brilliant dance called The Legend of the Fire Bird from Cikini, directed by Rusdy Rukmarata, husband of Aiko Senosoenoto, member of the DKJ Dance Committee.

The lighting and costumes became the opening force for the inaugural show at GBB TIM, apart from of course the dance moves of the group which was founded by the husband and wife in 1996.

Going Home

That afternoon I felt like coming home. TIM, which has been revitalized since 2019, is like a second home for me. I still remember my so-called ‘juvenile delinquency’, such as skipping school, here is where I’m happy. From reading a poetry book by the poet of the People’s Culture Institute (Lekra), Agam Wispi, which was banned during the New Order at the Literary Documentation Center (PDS) H. B. Jassin; watch the films of the Japanese director, Akira Kurosawa, or the Iranian director, Abbas Kiarostami, in the Closed Theater where bats fly across the screen; to watch the Leo Kristi People’s Concert at the Open Theater which often leaks water when it rains. The Open Theater and Closed Theater have now become the Jakarta Theater, which consists of a Small Theater with a capacity of 242 spectators and a Large Theater with a capacity of 1,200 spectators.

Meanwhile, PDS H. B. Jassin is side by side with the Jakarta Library in a long building called Ali Sadikin Building. Architect Andra Matin, who recently won the world-class architecture award, the Aga Khan Award, for his work at Banyuwangi Airport, designed this 14-story building based on the musical scale of Ismail Marzuki’s song, Rayunan Pulau Kelapa. Also here are the S. Sudjojono Gallery and the Emiria Soenassa Gallery, which are the arenas for exhibitions of works of art. On Saturday two weeks ago, with my wife and only child, I stopped by the Ali Sadikin Building. Enjoying the paintings of the maestro who are mostly dead, from Nashar, Zaini, Oesman Effendi, to Danarto with the painting Whisperer that invites a smile: Gus Dur laughs at the whisper of an angel. We also visited PDS H. B. Jassin who was exhibiting his collection to commemorate the centenary of the 1945 poet, Chairil Anwar. Meanwhile, the auditorium was crowded, because an astrophotography workshop was taking place. What caught my attention more when I visited the Jakarta Library. Lots of people, from children to the elderly. Because the signal on my cell phone is bad, the wife registers via the QR Code at the entrance. So, unlike us, Smarcitizen can register via the JAKI super-app (available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store) if you want to come here, by clicking JakLitera in the Third Room menu. After depositing things in the lockers, we watched the children read books while lying in the library. More young people, with books in hand or laptops in front of them. From the 3rd to the 7th floor, this amazing view can be seen, especially when I climb the stairs of the terraced building. Just that day I saw so many people reading in this country. Through the window I looked at the white dome of the Planetarium. In the building that marks the face of TIM from the past until now, I was fascinated as a student by the poet Taufiq Ismail who reads Sky Poems, with a sprinkling of stars overhead shot by a projector. The planetarium is only one of the arenas in the Trisno Soemardjo Building, which is in the shape of the letter U and has five floors.

There was Kineforum, where I watched alternative films that were previously located behind the XXI cinema. I remember watching the 1973 film Sjuman Djaya alone, Si Mamad. It was also there that the name of the director of the film was immortalized as Teater Syuman Djaya, together with Asrul Sani Theater and Wahyu Sihombing Theater, legends of Indonesian theater and film.

Oasis

In addition to four performance halls, six galleries, and six art training venues, the new face TEAM also has green open spaces. The 9,581-square-meter garden that is immediately visible when we enter the TIM gate, is like a hanging garden above the parking lot. It’s really soothing to the eyes, after facing traffic jams on Jalan Cikini Raya, where the Jakarta Arts Center (PKJ) TIM is located. Behind the former zoo of Indonesia’s first modern painter, Raden Saleh, which turned into PKJ TIM on November 10, 1968 thanks to the services of Governor Ali Sadikin, there is also a spiritual oasis. Amir Hamzah Mosque with wooden floors and surrounded by fish ponds. The solemn atmosphere reminded me of the poem Padamu Jua — Amir Hamzah, the king of the poet Pujangga Baru who was murdered in the social revolution at the Langkat Palace, North Sumatra, in 1946. “It’s been eroded/ All my love has flown away/ I’m back to you/ As before// You are the shining candlestick/ Window lamp in the dark night/ Waving slowly home/ Patient, always faithful//” From art to science, from fresh air gardens to unique mosques near the Jakarta Arts Institute campus. A TEAM who is a year older than me, always calls for a break from the routine of everyday life, while sharpening reason and conscience. Those of you who want to enjoy an oasis in the midst of the bustle of the capital, can stop by TIM by taking the Commuter Line train, then get off at Cikini Station, then walk on the wide sidewalk of Jalan Cikini Raya for about 15 minutes. Smartcitizens can also take Transjakarta buses 5M (Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang) and 6H (Lebak Bulus-Senen), or Mikrotrans AC/non-AC JAK 10A (Gondangdia-Cikini). Enjoy the new face of Taman Ismail Marzuki!