Jakarta Digital Collections Highlights in Museum Tekstil dan Museum Wayang

Through the #KoleksiKita initiative, Jakarta Digital Collections (JDC) has carried out the digitization and cataloging of more than 180 objects at two museums, Museum Tekstil Jakarta and Museum Wayang Jakarta throughout December–January.

Jakarta Digital Collections (JDC) is an initiative by Southeast Asia Museum Services (SEAMS) through #KoleksiKita, in collaboration with the Cultural Office of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, particularly with the 12 museums and galleries under its management. The initiative aims to broaden public access to museum collections through systematic digitization and cataloging.

This process is designed to produce high-quality visual documentation and ensure that each object is supported by verified data. All outputs will be accessible to the public through the Jakarta Digital Collections platform, scheduled to launch in 2026.

Exploring the Diversity of Traditional Textiles at Museum Tekstil

Museum Tekstil is known for its significant collection of Indonesian traditional textiles, reflecting the diversity of techniques, motifs, and cultural contexts across the archipelago.

Among the collections are the Sawunggaling motif textile by Go Tik Swan, the Gringsing Wayang Kebo textile belonging to Ida Anak Agung Gde Agung, and the Kampuhan textile owned by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

Most of the textile collection at Museum Tekstil was donated by members of Himpunan Wastraprema (HWP), who are spread across various regions of Indonesia.

Early members of Himpunan Wastraprema included prominent cultural figures and advocates such as Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Ibu Lasmidjah Hardi, G.K.P. Mangkunegoro, Ibu Herawati Diah, Sekartini Sofyar, Ibu Mien Sjahfiri Alim, Ir. Safioen, Ida Anak Agung Gde Agung, Jean Henry Sudarmadji Damais, Ir. Martono, and others.

Preserving Wayang Heritage at Museum Wayang

Museum Wayang houses approximately 6,863 objects, including puppets, musical instruments, puppet-making tools, dolls, masks, and paintings. These collections represent the long journey of Indonesia’s performing arts and wayang traditions.

The selection of objects for cataloging and digitization focused on the Wayang Revolusi Collection, considering the objects’ provenance and their artistic context during the revolutionary period. It also included the Si Unyil doll, recognized for its role as Indonesia’s first locally characterized educational children’s puppet, as well as the American Doll, selected for its cultural significance and historical context.

Overall, the collections of Museum Wayang hold deep historical value, reflecting the complex social, cultural, and political dynamics that have shaped Indonesia’s national journey.

Digitizing 200+ Collections Across Two Museums

In addition to cataloging, SEAMS through #KoleksiKita also digitized priority collections at Museum Tekstil and Museum Wayang throughout December–January.

At Museum Tekstil, the digitization process presented particular challenges, especially for large-scale textiles such as the Kampuhan Dodot textile belonging to Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, which required specialized handling and photography techniques.

At Museum Wayang, digitization employed a multi-angle approach. For example, Wayang Revolusi objects were photographed from both front and back, while the Si Unyil doll and the American Doll were captured from three perspectives; front, angled, and back.

The process required a high level of care due to the fragile condition of certain objects, particularly at the joints connecting the hands and handles.

This initiative would not have been possible without the support of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which is committed to preserving historic buildings, archaeological and cultural sites, museum objects and collections, as well as traditional cultural expressions in partner countries.

Stay tuned for next month’s #KoleksiKita highlights featuring Museum Kesejarahan and Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik.