Just as observers were commending the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) for distancing itself from the exclusive Islamism it is often associated with, the disappointing news that the party's faction in parliament is pushing for the controversial pornography bill to be passed, emerges (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 12, 2008). Critics of PKS such as journalist Sadanand Dhume warn that in the long term, the PKS is the most serious Islamist threat to Indonesia's historic pluralism. We hope Dhume is wrong, but the actions of PKS parliamentarians sadly suggest that he may be right. Read More...

How fitting that an art exhibition dwelling on memory should be the subject of an exchange between Indonesia and northern Australia. There is a long history of trade between the North -- the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory, as it is called -- and Indonesia. It is a history barely known to the broader Australian public, but in the north, Australia's vast and last frontier, it is a constant point of reference. Read More...

Despite human resource and funding restraints, the city's Conservation Institute can offer conservation services to private collectors and other museums. The institute also invites the public to learn the basics of conservation at its Central Jakarta workshop. However, some private collectors still doubt the institute's ability to conserve cultural and historical collections. Read More...

This week, East Asian biennials, triennials and art fairs will see a stream of art lovers and observers visit Asia cities like Gwanju, Busan, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Nanjing and Yokohama, making East Asia a major destination on the international art circuit. Read More...

The Selasar Sunaryo Art Space (SSAS) in Bandung marked a decade of presence in the country's art scene last week. The anniversary, celebrated in a low-key ceremony, leaves a lingering question: Where is the gallery heading? SSAS celebrated with an exhibition, "Redefining Art", involving 33 artists and two artist groups as well as the launching of an accompanying monograph, A Decade of Dedication: Ten Years Revisited. Read More...