“I still remember the moment I walked into the second floor. It was empty, but I got the chill down my spine. How could we abandon such a beautiful building?”
What It Was
That was the first time Anhar laid eyes on Kunstkring in such details. Little did she know that eight years later, she will have the chance to sit in it all restored and refurbished.
Kunstkring or ‘art circle’ was first established in 1914 as a melting pot of all things art. It was where the Dutch artist gather, showcase their work from painting to musical performance, and hold art classes. At its prime, it was once a host for world class paintings such as Van Gogh’s and Picasso’s. As time passed by, the building went through its ups and downs. It was repurposed as an immigration office from 1950 to 1993, then abandoned, and was made into the controversial Buddha Bar.
What It Is Now
In the hands of idealistic Anhar, the building is finally re-living its original purpose as it supposed to be. It is fully functioning now as an exhibition place for local Indonesian art, a function hall for art performances, and also restaurants serving fine Indonesian food. On 17 April 2013, exactly 99 years after the building’s official opening in 1914, it was christened by Jokowi, the newly appointed governor. An accomplishment and appreciation that Anhar marks as one of her most memorable moment in her life.
By now, it should be obvious the two things that kept her alive: Indonesia’s culture and food. Combining the two and letting people see the beauty of both is her passion. It is the silver lining that connect all her establishment, Dapur Babah, Lara Djonggrang, Shanghai Blue and now Kuntskring. Each and every one of them tell stories that roars around the history of Indonesia and particularly Java. One obvious example, the main dining room in Kunstkring is named Pangeran Diponegoro where The Fall of Java is hung into one of the walls. It is a huge 9x4m painting that tells the story of the time Diponegoro was captured in 1830 by General De Kock. Or another room named Multatuli to reminisce Edward Douwes Dekker contribution of helping Indonesian off from the chain of enforced slavery. Pictures, photos, and paintings that represent the historical event is hung all over the room.
Taking Indonesian Food To Another Level
Further than that, she also believes that Indonesian culinary needs to be appraised as it should be, a fine, complex, and classy food. She made a strong statement when she opened Dapur Babah in 2004. There, a portion of fried rice was sold at up to 3 or 4 times of average price. No matter the amount of contradiction she had, she stick with her vision that Indonesian food is worth that value. Her persistence proved the doubter wrong. She successfully marry history, art, and food. In Kuntskring, the food is presented in Betawi Rijsstafel style. No matter if you’re eating alone, in pair or in groups, the food will come in huge Tenong that contains 12, 16, or 24 different menu according to your request. A parade of at least 12 waiter and waitresses dressed in Betawi traditional dress will serve you the food. An authentic experience reconstructed as the way Noni and Tuan’s lived in the 1910s.
Future Dreams
After almost ten years, looks like there’s no sign of her stopping and nothing can stop her from going the extra mile of bringing the best of Indonesian culture and culinary to a prestigious state. Still at the back of her mind is the wish of taking authentic Indonesian food known in the world culinary map. Think of the same concept in the heart of New York City. But that’s a long shot, she prefers to do what she can now, and let fate take her there. If it’s meant to be it’s meant to be.
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