Segar Bugar: The Story of Conservation in Jakarta 1920’s to Present

This exhibition examines the diverse perception of heritage practice of colonial architecture in Jakarta. Although the main ideas of heritage conservation has been emerged since the late 19th century and marked by establishment of Monumenten Ordonantie in early 20th century, the perception towards heritage never stayed the same. Each era and authority has its own view on what deserves to be remembered and forgotten, what has to be preserved and what should be abandoned. In larger context, these views influence and shapes the Indonesian society’s perception of cultural heritage. To present the long winded history of conservation story, this exhibition takes jamu as metaphor. Just as person would drink jamu to refresh the bodily functions and restore health, conservation works are in fact imaginable as a similar attempt to ‘refresh’ the collective memories through ‘restoring the health’ of buildings and artefacts of the past.