Blessing of Rain, Various Collections and Podcast

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Singers Endah Laras (left) and Woro Mustiko perform at the 40th Anniversary of Bentara Budaya at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jakarta, on Monday (26/9/2022).

Kompas Gramedia’s Bentara Budaya cultural institute turned 40 on Monday (26/9/2022). Artists, cultural observers, teachers, and political figures attended cultural events in Jakarta and Yogyakarta on Monday evening to commemorate the anniversary of the Bentara Budaya. Along with an accompaniment of music and colorful lights, prayers were offered to ensure the longevity of the cultural herald.

At 7:30 p.m., the emcee invited the guests to gather at the courtyard of the Bentara Budaya in Palmerah, South Jakarta, to open the event, but before the emcee had taken a breath to continue, heavy rain fell.

Also read:

> Art Performances during the Outbreak Era

The guests rushed to seek shelter around the courtyard. The members of the organizing committee, who were completely drenched, moved quickly to secure televisions, chairs, and other equipment to save them from the pouring rain. The celebration was temporarily halted as the event was then moved to the exhibition space inside.

The Jakarta event on Monday evening was attended by Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki, former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti (2014-2019), and former industry minister Saleh Husin (2014-2016).

"It doesn't matter, because rain is a blessing. I hope the Bentara Budaya will also be full of blessings,” remarked keroncong singer Endah Laras.

Starting from love

The Bentara Budaya was born out of Kompas founders P.K. Ojong and Jakob Oetama’s love for art and culture. Since the 1970s, Kompas has been collecting a number of paintings, antiques, and other art and cultural objects.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The guests of honor of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia 2014-2019 Susi Pudjiastuti, the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia 2014-2016 Saleh Husin, the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, and the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi (from left to right) attended the 40th Anniversary of Bentara Budaya at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jakarta, on Monday (26/9/2022).

The objects were then handed over to Kompas caricaturist G.M. Sudarta. The Gramedia Art Gallery was then established in Jakarta’s Pintu Air area to accommodate the art objects. This gallery was the embryo of the establishment of the Bentara Budaya.

A decade later, in 1982 to be exact, the Bentara Budaya was first established on Jl. Jenderal Sudirman in Yogyakarta. The establishment of the Bentara Budaya Jakarta (BBJ) followed four years later. Jakob Oetama opened the BBJ on 26 June 1986, followed by its two other branches in Solo (2003) and Bali (2009).

Its diverse collection include the works of master painters such as Affandi, Basuki Abdullah, Bagong Kussudiardja, S. Sudjojono, and Hendra Gunawan.

For 40 years, the Bentara Budaya has presented various exhibitions, discussions, workshops, performances, and various art activities. These activities involve artists and cultural figures from various fields, generations, and even other countries. Its diverse collection include the works of master painters such as Affandi, Basuki Abdullah, Bagong Kussudiardja, S. Sudjojono, and Hendra Gunawan.

The Bentara Budaya (meaning cultural messenger) was founded on the mission of “Surya Sengkalan [marker of time] Manembah Hangesti Songing Budi”, which means giving glory to the mind without the expectation of any reward.

"Thoughts, wisdom, comprehension are exploited in order to build more civilized human life," Bentara Budaya general manager Ilham Khoiri said in Yogyakarta.

This institution also holds the same respect for contemporary art and the latest issues in discourses on art and culture.

“In practice, as Bentara senior curator Sindhunata S.J. noted, Bentara perseveres in supporting the cultural community and the artists who are struggling to develop themselves. This institution also holds the same respect for contemporary art and the latest issues in discourses on art and culture,” he added.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

The Kembang Lambe puppet show enlivened the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Bentara Budaya at Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta, Kotabaru, Yogyakarta, on Monday (26/9/2022).

The Bentara Budaya is also trying to adapt to modern life through the launch of two new programs, the Bentara Budaya Podcast and the NFT Laboratory.

"The Bentara Budaya Podcast is a conversational space where artists and cultural observers are invited to explore their experiences and creative processes in the arts," said Ilham.

At this year's anniversary event, the Bentara Budaya Awards were given to four artists: Ong Hari Wahyu from Yogyakarta, Warsad Darya from Indramayu, West Java, Sahilin from South Sumatra, and Serang Dakko from South Sulawesi.

Painter Sigit Santosa (73) expressed appreciation for 40 years of the Bentara Budaya. According to him, Bentara Budaya’s collection was a reference for artists to know and learn from the works of maestros.

Kompas senior editor and Kompas Gramedia deputy CEO Rikard Bagun said that over the last 40 years, the Bentara Budaya was not only born, but had also given birth to exhibitions, discussions, workshops, and collaborations with artists and cultural observers.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)