At 30 Years Old

Nearly 50 years ago, a modest building on Jalan Gereja Theresia, Jakarta, became an intriguing meeting point: artists of all kinds—writers, visual artists, musicians—would gather there to chat, work, rest, argue, tease each other, give praise, clash, and create.

This unassuming building was called "Balai Budaya." Established in 1954, it was managed by the National Cultural Deliberation Body, an organization that brought together various Indonesian artists and cultural figures. Over time, this organization faded away. Today, Balai Budaya stands almost like an orphan—unsure of who cares for it or holds authority over it.

But it remains a significant piece of Indonesia's modern art history—especially in visual arts. Before the term "gallery" even existed, Balai Budaya was already a bustling exhibition space—perhaps the only one in Jakarta at the time.

In many ways, it could be called the first art gallery. However, it's important to note that some exhibitions were actually held in Jakarta before it. For example, the Kunstkring Building in the Menteng area was established in 1914. Also, just a few months after Independence, at the end of 1945, there was a five-day exhibition organized by the Ministry of Information of the newly formed government. This took place in a space that is now part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia on Jalan Salemba, showcasing works by artists like Basuki Abdullah, Affandi, Emiria Sunassa, Rusli, and S. Soedjojono.