IDF 2019: From Sasando to Hollywood, the Future Opportunities of the Nusantara Creative Industries

Natalino Mella, Sasando player from East Nusa Tenggara.

"I want that in the next ten years no parents should question the decision of their children if they want to be an artist," said Hilmar Farid, Director General of Culture Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud).

Hilmar Farid attended the Special Session of the Indonesian Art Coalition entitled "Employment and Human Capital in the Indonesian Arts and Culture Sector" at the Indonesia Development Forum (IDF) 2019. The profession of artists is often still questioned and has not been fully accepted in society as a promising profession. 

Even though it often spawns phenomenal works and is the pride of the nation, it must be recognized that the creative industry is still a new field of work that has not received much public recognition. Hilmar explained that not many people realize that the economy based on creative culture can grow very rapidly. At present, the contribution of the economic sector based on culture, art and creativity has reached 6.1 percent with 8.8 percent growth per year. But, the figure in other developing countries can reach 12 percent per year.

Creative industries increasingly show progress from year to year. Films by local filmmakers, for example, are now much in demand to be screened at international festivals. In fact, the ability of talents in the field of creative design and costume designers who are highly qualified can open opportunities for the nation's children to work in the international arena. Unfortunately, data on growth figures in Indonesia is barely available as data collection has not been done adequately. This has become one of the targets of socialization and efforts of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Agree with the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) also said the creative economy, including the entertainment industry, is targeted to be one of the industrial strengths in Indonesia. Deputy Chief Bekraf, Ricky Joseph Pesik said film, animation, and video entered the entertainment industry sector with the highest growth of 10.09 percent. While arts and performances by 9.54 percent and the music industry grew around 7.59 percent. These achievements make Ricky optimistic that the entertainment industry can continue to show positive growth and become a new force.

"If we see the growth from 2016-2018, the growth rate is above the national growth. It's above 5 percent for the creative economy," Ricky mentions as conveyed to Kompas.

Artists' Stage Performance

Now, to increase awareness of the creative industry, IDF 2019 presented a separate session as a forum for performing arts for the artists' partners. The Art Performance session with the theme Art, Culture and Development was an art performance stage in the middle of the IDF event that could be enjoyed at certain times.

In addition to performing art performances, participating artists speakers will also conduct short discussion sessions to share their experiences of contributing to development, in their capacity as artists. From traditional Sasando music performances to the Papermoon Puppet Theater puppet theater.

Papermoon Puppet Theater took part in the session. Papermoon Puppet Theater is a community that makes puppet shows with puppets that are self-produced using used materials such as coconut shells, used oil bottles and used wood. Not stopping there, they also often work together with other development partners to make environmental care movements.

"We have worked with an institution in Raja Ampat. At that time we conducted a workshop for the facilitators of a school, where we taught them to make dolls from local garbage and materials. Later the dolls will be used to make their own performances," said Maria Tri Sulistyani, founder of Papermoon Puppet Theater, who is familiarly called Ria.

Although it has performed on the international stage from Singapore to New York, Papermoon Puppet Theater has a mission to bring art performances to remote areas of Indonesia. They were touched when holding an impromptu show in Penagi village - the oldest fishing village on one of Indonesia's outer islands, Natuna.

Ria met a local resident who said, "art never reaches this village. I am not talking about the top notch art. We never received any announcement that there will be an art performance. We are so happy you performed here."

The remark was very touching. Ria hoped that this experience that she shared would not only motivate others to bring art performances to most remote areas of Indonesia, but also used in such events to educate and share knowledge to the community.

In addition to the creative work she has been doing in Papermoon Puppet Theater, Ria also studied management to establish a sustainable organization.

“Success does not always mean great in quantity; it also means great in quality. We chose to be in a small team, because we could crosscheck with each other. Here we take care of one another, it's like family,“ she explained.

For the first time at IDF, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) had a special session as the selected pilot province presented in IDF 2019. Natalino Mella, Sasando player from East Nusa Tenggara spoke at the "Arts, Culture and Development" in the Ideas and Innovation Marketplace session. He performed the Sasando game show at this session and the IDF special stage. Natalino stressed the local government to be more active in encouraging the management and development of creative industries. He believes that art can create job opportunities, including traditional Sasando music.

"Unfortunately, there are still few who want to pursue Sasando art," said Natalino who also makes Sasando and has a Sasando workshop in his hometown in NTT.

In terms of NTT handicrafts, Du'Anyam appears to be able to prove that their creative industry has helped more than 1000 mothers add their income.

"One of Du'Anyam's missions is to empower the economy and improve women's health in rural areas throughout Indonesia. This started from NTT," said Arina, the Public Relations of Du'Anyam.

In terms of film, the film producer and director, Livi Zheng attended the Imagine session entitled "Accelerating Structural Transformation". Livi explained that much was needed to further develop films in Indonesia, including building cinemas for each district.

"Indonesia is blessed with an abundance of talent. Especially in the field of production design, we are very creative and fast. That is our strength. But, Indonesians are often not confident,“ she said. 

Livi also reminded that Indonesian films could compete in the world cinema, Hollywood, and filmmakers should not hesitate to include the Indonesian touch in their works.

"My film uses a lot of Indonesian elements," she added.  

Th rise of the creative industries also occurred in the regions. Jember, which is now increasingly known as a city of fashion and festivals has brought local and foreign tourists. Jember will hold the Jember Fashion Carnaval from July 31 to August 4, 2019.  Speaking in the same session, Jember Regent, Hj. Faida said that the creative industry is growing in the region.

"Jember has been more inviting towards fashion curators and festivals, even though agriculture provides the biggest revenue. We have to adjust ourselves to the progressive world or we will be left behind,“ she said. 

Premana W. Premadi, Professor of Astrophysics from ITB and supervisor of Bosscha Observatory emphasized the approach of character education through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics). Art and astronomy will provide an entrance to Indonesia, the strengthening of which will play an important role in the country’s cultural development.

IDF 2019 provided a forum to discuss various topics to strengthen the nation's identity. Art can be integrated in development as something that can bring together various cultural components, thereby helping local talents to be optimally developed and the young generation to be more prepared to seize future employment opportunities.