Feb 22, 2025 Last Updated 12:16 AM, Feb 21, 2025
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Arts

Theatre of life

Theatre of life
A new generation of Indonesian theatre activists is staging performances based on the everyday experiences of local communities

Censorship makes a comeback

Censorship makes a comeback
Recent book bannings mark a return to the repressive practices of the New Order

Driving under the New Order

Driving under the New Order
The tumultuous events of 1965 thwarted Liong Tjie Tjong’s writing aspirations

Watching Balibo in Jakarta

Watching Balibo in Jakarta
Packed screenings of the controversial film about the deaths of five Australian journalists in East Timor continue, despite an official ban

Heritage and paradox

Heritage and paradox
Wayang Golek is proclaimed a masterpiece, but what is its future?

W.S.Rendra (1935-2009)

W.S.Rendra (1935-2009)
The peacock is no more

'When Love Glorifies God'

'When Love Glorifies God'
Islamic film is emerging as a new genre in the Indonesian film world

Decorated for success

Decorated for success
Photo essay: Competition leads to artistry and danger on the streets of Kupang

A second revolution?

A second revolution?
Dangdut music continues to be a vital part of Indonesian popular culture

Gestures of power and grace

Gestures of power and grace
As Minang dance shows, the guiding rules of culture are often unspoken

Dancing the nation in migration

Dancing the nation in migration
Indonesian women in Perth perform a ‘uniting’ dance

Moving with the times

Moving with the times
An update on dance and music in the reformasi era

Surviving conflict

Surviving conflict
Aceh’s performing arts have blossomed despite the conflict and the tsunami

A hybrid popular culture

A hybrid popular culture
Indonesian pop music and television still have a significant influence in East Timor

Graphic resistance

Graphic resistance
Photo-essay: Dissent and struggle are persistent themes of images adorning walls across East Timor

The Indie takeover

The Indie takeover
Independent record labels give the majors a run for their money

Filming ambiguity

Filming ambiguity
Young Chinese Indonesian filmmakers examine questions of Chineseness

Hot debates

Hot debates
A law on pornography still divides the community

Demonstrating diversity

Demonstrating diversity
Photo-essay: Yogya’s community protests against the Pornography Bill

Beyond the Museum

Beyond the Museum
Asmat bisj-poles gain new meaning in a Papuan refugee protest in Melbourne

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