Bagus Pandega

Beyond the Dutch
Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the visual arts, from 1900 until now
16 oct 2009 - 10 jan 2010
The Dutch colonization of Indonesia has left many traces in the development of both countries. This also applies to the visual arts. Between 16 October 2009 and 10 January 2010, the Centraal Museum presents a major retrospective, which is fully dedicated to the interaction between the Dutch and Indonesian visual arts. ‘Beyond the Dutch. Indonesia, the Netherlands and the visuals arts from 1900 until now’ offers an innovative insight into the influence of Dutch culture on Indonesian visual arts and vice versa. The exhibition analyses the cultural legacy of colonialism and the drastic changes that came forth from the process of decolonization. We also take a look at the present situation: are there still collective influences? ‘Beyond the Dutch’ stimulates the audience to look at the Indonesian visual arts from a different point of view.

From a different point of view
People look at the world around them from their own cultural framework. Customs, traditions and ideas about beauty originate, to an important extent, from education and surroundings. This also goes for the interpretation and experience of the visual arts. The Dutch museum-goer in general has a view that is determined by Western art criteria. How can you learn to rate works of art from other cultures at their true value? And what are the consequences for your personal opinion and ideas about visual arts? The exhibition ‘Beyond the Dutch’ asks these questions, on the basis of three crucial periods from Dutch-Indonesian history.

Collective history
‘Beyond the Dutch’ focuses on three periods: cultural influencing during the colonial period of about 1900, the consequences of decolonization and independence (about 1950) and the present period of post-colonialism (about 2000). From each period a selection of works is showed which together presents us with a good impression of collective influences within the visuals arts. There are works on display by more than forty artists including Raden Saleh, Abdullah Suriosubroto, Jan Toorop, Isaac Israels, Affandi, Hendra Gunawan, Sudjojono, Piet Ouborg, Charles Sayers, Heri Dono, Agus Suwage, Mella Jaarsma and Tiong Ang.This major retrospective shows how Indonesian artists over the years have broken new ground; they are 'Beyond the Dutch'.

Presented with the exhibition is a publication written in both Dutch and English, edited by Prof. Dr. Kitty Ziljmans, Dr. Remco Raben and Meta Knol, curator of the exhibition, and published by KIT Publishers, Amsterdam.

'Beyond the Dutch' is cordially supported by the Indonesian embassy in the Hague and by the Dutch embassy in Indonesia.

Installation View of 'Singer: Magical Mystery Tour':