The exhibit presents the preliminary results of almost five years of Indonesian-Italian joint multidisciplinary research on the boatbuilding heritage of Indonesia. Aim of this project is to study and record the multiple aspects of the boat legacy in the archipelago through archaeological surveys, iconographic and historical investigations, ethnographic interviews, language documentation and museum collections. Fieldwork research activities were conducted by a team of Indonesian and Italian senior and junior scholars in Tana Beru (South Sulawesi), Lamalera (Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara), Punjulharjo (Rembang, Central Java), Jambi (Sumatra), where wooden boatbuilding activities are held and archaeological sites are located.
The posters of the exhibit explain the methodology applied for recording archaeological boat remains and living boatbuilding traditions from these sites, as well as the ancient environment, experiments of digital and real reconstruction of ancient and modern boats, which is a key approach to understand ancient and modern boatbuilding practices. Traditional boats models, 3D prints of experimental boat reconstructions, tools and other objects related to boatbuilding activities are exhibited in the showcases.
The exhibit is also enriched by a series of videos illustrating fieldwork activities (ethnographic records, photogrammetry surveys) and a sailing animation of a reconstructed 7th Century AD boat. The exhibit summarizes the fruitful collaboration among Italian and Indonesian scholars where local knowledges, experimental and innovative methodological approaches were combined with the aim to preserve, protect and revitalize the interest and raise awareness especially among young generations, for the great Indonesian maritime cultural heritage, which is as wide as the sea. The Indonesian boatbuilding endangered heritage project has been funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EMKP (Endangered Material Knowledge Programme, British Museum, UK), ISMEO (Associazione Internazionale di Studi sul Mediterraneo e l'Oriente), Università di Napoli L’Orientale and Universitas Indonesia.
The exhibit is funded and supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ministry of Foreign A¬ffairs and International Cooperation (Italy), Embassy of Italy (Jakarta, Indonesia), Universitas Indonesia (Indonesia), BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, Indonesia), Università di Napoli L’Orientale (Italy). Other institutions also contributed to the project and to the exhibit: Abu Hanifa Institute, Museum Bahari, Museum Nasional, Situs Perahu Kuno Punjulharjo, ATL - Asiosasi Tradisi Lisan, Pustaka Bergerak.
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Opening of the exhibition and Seminar
Registration link for the opening and seminar: https://bit.ly/BoatLegacy
