Jakarta`s old town becomes a creative city

Antara News, Sunday, March 14, 2010 00:32 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta city goverment in cooperation with the British Council is to turn the Old Town in the western part of the capital into creative hub, a spokesperson said.

The cooperation is conducted by presenting performances of 3 Dimensions Video Mapping, namely moving images by using a projector that illuminates the Jakarta History Museum building, said Aurora Tambunan, assistant to the Jakarta vice governor, said Saturday.

"This event is part of the city government`s program to revitalize the Old Town as a place for creative people, so that the Old Town can become a creative industry hub," she said.

Aurora said, the vision of the Jakarta city government was to make the old town a cultural heritage as it holds heritage buildings with high economic potential.

Meanwhile, British Council director Keith Davies said the event was the fulfilment of the Council`s commitment to support the creative community in the Old Town and strengthen relationships between the United Kingdom and Indonesia.

The arts Video Mapping performance was opened by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo in the hope that starting from this event it can generate creative activities and entice tourists to come to the Old Town.

"Convey to all corners of the world, that the Old town is interesting to visit," said Fauzi Bowo in a speech in front of Jakarta citizens when signing an agreement with the British Council at the Video Mapping playback event.

The arts 3 Dimensions Video Mapping performance was the work of the leading multimedia artists from England D-Fuse and young movie maker from Indonesia Sakti Parantenan from the "Sembilan Matahari Film" and Adi Panuntun, photographer Feri Latief, and author Taqarrabie.

Besides this event, Aurora said, the revitalization program of the Old Town area was done by using two strategies, which consider heritage buildings and events in the Old Town area.

In addition, the city government in cooperation with the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ) will hold training for students who can regularly come to the Old Town and with the British Council in a three-year partnership to hold a variety show called "Weekend in the Old Town," Aurora said.