The Maritime Museum Prepares Interesting Exhibitions And Festivals In 2025

Exhibitions began to open to the general public from 7 December 2024 to 22 June 2025. (ANTARA/Lia Wanadriani Santosa)

JAKARTA - The Maritime Museum revealed a number of exhibition and festival agendas that will greet visitors in 2025, including collaboration art installations with ship-themed international artists, which are scheduled to take place in the middle of the year.

"This installation exhibition will be held in three different locations, all of which have a history as warehouses for the VOC, namely at the Maritime, Japanese and Amsterdam Museums," said Misari, Head of the Management Unit (UP) of the Jakarta Maritime Museum, in a statement in Jakarta, as quoted by ANTARA.

Although he has not mentioned the names of the artists involved, Mis'ari explained that the installation work will use the fabric as the main ingredient.

"This temporary will create a fabric installation combined with artistic lighting. The plan is that this activity will take place in the middle of next year," he added.

In addition to art installations, the Maritime Museum will also hold exhibitions with the theme of the Sunda Kelapa area in commemoration of the five centuries of the City of Jakarta. This exhibition will use immersive technology that allows the walls and floor of the room to display dynamic visual projections, complete with attractive grammar.

For visitors who do not yet know the history of Sunda Kelapa, this exhibition is expected to provide an in-depth understanding, including about the building that is now the Maritime Museum.

We are compiling an immersive mini concept about Sunda Kelapa, with zero points as its center. This room will showcase the history of this area from the past to the modern era, "explained Misari, adding that the exact schedule of the exhibition is still in the stage of determination.

In the same year, the Maritime Museum will also hold an exhibition titled Sriwijaya Kingdom to celebrate Indonesia's maritime heritage. This event is scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the Maritime Museum on July 7, involving the City of Palembang and a number of countries in Southeast Asia.

In November, the museum plans to feature a cadik-themed exhibition, with Cadik Papua as the main icon.

"Papua's brothers will be our seeds. We also want to bring them together with similar cultures from countries such as Fiji, Solomon, and Papua New Guinea, which have a similar cadik tradition," said Mis'ari.

He added that preparations for this exhibition had started last year, including discussions with the owners of Sadik Papua and traditional stakeholders. The museum has also prepared the theme and technology that will be used to support the event.

As a complement, the Maritime Museum will also present a marine festival involving the Indonesia-Japan-Europe collaboration with the theme 'Queen of the East' which focuses on spices, as well as a festival titled Cerita Kota. However, a detailed schedule for this festival has yet to be announced.