eCommons

 

Java’s “First People’s Theater”: Thomas Karsten and Semarang’s Sobokartti

Other Titles

Abstract

In exploring further Matthew Cohen’s concept of “the invention of performing arts” in the context of a modernizing colonial Java, this article traces the founding history of the iconic Sobokartti Theater building (which was recently restored to its original form and purpose) and its contribution to the development of theater arts in Java. The paper considers how this theater project negotiated the balance between “modernity and tradition” and succeeded in engaging its urban Javanese, Chinese, and European (Indisch) audience. In tracing the European and Javanese references embedded in the project’s rationale, design, and function, the article investigates how the envisioned theater consciously drew upon both contemporary metropolitan European “new arts” influences and then-current “experiments” in Javanese and Sundanese performing arts. As well, the essay considers the significance of the theater building itself, a traditional Javanese pendopo-derived design, which was central to the theater project. It was to create a new space within which a modernizing Javanese urban community could engage anew with its cultural roots. This reflected a crucial element of the architect’s vision for “modernizing” Javanese culture and society.

Journal / Series

Indonesia

Volume & Issue

Vol. 104

Description

Page range: 91-120

Sponsorship

Date Issued

2017-10

Publisher

Cornell University Southeast Asia Program

Keywords

Location

Effective Date

Expiration Date

Sector

Employer

Union

Union Local

NAICS

Number of Workers

Committee Chair

Committee Co-Chair

Committee Member

Degree Discipline

Degree Name

Degree Level

Related Version

Related DOI

Related To

Related Part

Based on Related Item

Has Other Format(s)

Part of Related Item

Related To

Related Publication(s)

Link(s) to Related Publication(s)

References

Link(s) to Reference(s)

Previously Published As

Government Document

ISBN

ISMN

ISSN

Other Identifiers

Rights

Rights URI

Types

article

Accessibility Feature

Accessibility Hazard

Accessibility Summary

Link(s) to Catalog Record