Interconnected Existence. “The mural reflects the philosophy of Indonesian cultural savant, philosopher and futurologist Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana. It unites the creative vision of artists from three different cultures and nations while attempting to preserve the unique style and voice of each artist. When the dark curtains were removed what was revealed was an enormous mural covering an entire wall depicting the face of a man consisting of three faces in one, in the background stand blue and white ice shapes and at either side of him are spheres of blue and orange calligraphy. Three different houses were placed in different parts of the mural.

Alisjahbana headed the Jakarta Academy from 1970 until his death in 1994 setting its guiding foundations. The unveiling of the mural would have resonated deeply with him, showcasing the form of art he championed throughout the final phase of his own life and evolution:

art in which creators actively help address the great challenges confronting their community, their nation, and most importantly, a world threatened by the danger of extinction.

In 1928, Indonesia’s Youth Pledge was first proclaimed by youth groups from different parts of the Archipelago at a Youth Congress in Jakarta (at the time Batavia). They pledged that they were one nation, one people and that they chose one national language, namely Malay.

It was the most important event in Indonesian history because Indonesia consisting of 17,000 islands with 1,340 ethnic and tribal groups and over 718 local and regional languages – needed to make sure that all wanted to unite and create a nation together before independence could be declared. That step began with the Youth Pledge of 1928 and was continued with the Cultural Polemics of the 1930s.”

— Tamalia Alisjahbana