The History Of The Getih Bamboo Installation: Anies Baswedan's Ambition To Bring Jakarta To Enliven The 2018 Asian Games

Improvement of the park around the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, the Getih bamboo installation site initiated by Anies Baswedan was made to welcome the 2018 Asian Games. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Collaboration between the central and regional governments is presented in welcoming the 2018 Asian Games. The central government is busy preparing a budget. The DKI Jakarta government has been able to enliven and make the Asian continent's sporting event a success.

Anies Baswedan did not want to be left behind. The Governor of DKI Jakarta also prepared special ornaments to welcome 2018 Asian Games participants. Take for example when Anies ordered the Getah Getih bamboo art installation. An installation of works of art which is then considered a waste.

In the past, Indonesia once amazed the eyes of the world when Jakarta hosted the 1962 Asian Games. The Asian-class sports celebration is like an important stage for Indonesia to show itself as a great nation. Indonesia is also waiting for the opportunity to host again.

Indonesia's desire did not just disappear when Hanoi, Vietnam was appointed to host the 2018 Asian Games in 2012. Later Vietnam chose to resign because it was not ready in 2014. The Asian Olympic Council also chose Jakarta-Palembang as the host of the new 2018 Asian Games.

The owner of power does not want to waste the opportunity. Preparations for the Asian Games are starting to accelerate. This condition makes Indonesia improve many things. Infrastructure began to be improved and built. The Indonesian government appointed Erick Thohir as chairman of the 2018 Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) in 2015.

The election of Erick Thohir is considered a guarantee so that the 2018 Asian games are really lively. Mainly, with increasingly limited preparation times. Efforts by the central and regional governments to collaborate are presented.

Anies Baswedan, whose territory will host the 2018 Asian Games, took part in the success of organizing the Asian Games. The Governor of DKI Jakarta is ready to enliven the 2018 Asian Games which will take place on 18 August-2 September 2018.

He tried to beautify his area. He also prepared a special route for the 2018 Asian Games participants. The work was carried out so that the journey of athletes from various countries from Wisma Atlet, Kemayoran to the match location could run smoothly.

"The villages are getting more and more ready, from the public side, the interest to welcome the Asian Games is getting higher. We want to make sure Jalan Sudirman - Thamrin is neat, so the Deputy Governor will lead the apple there tomorrow. So we God willing, according to the plan Jalan Sudirman - Thamrin straight, neat, flat, Amin. "

"Then the venue facilities, God willing, are all scheduled, which is our real responsibility, that's our responsibility. Because this week starting from school, testing will begin from the athlete's guesthouse to the location - location of the activity, it will be done this week," said Anies as quoted by the ANTARA website, July 17, 2018.

Anies' intention to enliven the 2018 Asian Games was no joke. Anies even asked artist Joko Avianto to make a special bamboo art installation. Anies aims to show Asian Games participants that Jakarta is also an art city.

Anies tries to show a work of art with cheap material (bamboo) on land that is a bit expensive: Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI). This wish is like a challenge for Joko. He agreed with Anies' wishes.

The work made the bamboo installation begin on August 9, 2018. Joko and nine of his colleagues began designing and building their artwork close to the Welcome Monument. A monument that was originally intended to welcome the 1962 Asian Games participants.

Joko uses 1,500 bamboos. They work from morning to night. At its peak, the artwork that was covered with zinc was only completed on August 14, 2018. Art works that took IDR 550 million and then can be enjoyed by Jakarta residents on August 15, 2018.

Anies also inaugurated a bamboo installation called Getah Getih on August 16, 2018. Instead of getting a lot of positive responses, works of art that are considered to have a myriad of heroic symbols are considered a waste. The use of bamboo material is the culprit.

The use of bamboo makes works of art cannot last long. Sure enough, not even a year, Getah Getih has been dismantled on July 17, 2019. The artwork is starting to be seen as a waste, aka a waste of budget.

The expansion at that time was carried out because bamboo had been eaten by age. Some parts are fragile. Bamboo stems began to fall. Big budget for bamboo installation is a question. However, Anies answered casually.

He considers Getah Getih's age is designed to enliven the Asian Games alone. Not long-term. Regarding the budget issued by Anies, the funds have helped farmers and bamboo craftsmen.

"Where did the budget go? It went to the bamboo farmer. The small people received the money. If I chose iron, then maybe the iron from China was imported. The money didn't go to the small people. But if this is it, who would the Rp550 million be received? The bamboo farmer, the bamboo craftsman,"

"Try to calculate the other costs, maybe you will find a large number, even if the others use iron, it is not necessarily domestic production. But if bamboo is almost I make sure there is no imported bamboo. The bamboo production in West Java is carried out by local craftsmen," said Anies Baswedan as quoted by Kompas.com page, July 22, 2019.