Brief Summary
This video explores the architectural side of Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, often referred to as Bung Karno. It discusses his education in civil engineering, his work with Professor Wolf Sumaker, and his architectural projects before and after Indonesia's independence. The video also addresses the challenges in attributing architectural works solely to Soekarno and emphasizes his role as a visionary leader who integrated his architectural sensibilities into nation-building projects.
- Soekarno's architectural education and early career.
- His role as a "presidential architect" after Indonesia's independence.
- The importance of acknowledging the contributions of other architects in projects associated with Soekarno.
Introduction
The video introduces Soekarno, Indonesia's first president, as an architect and a pioneer in the field within Indonesia. The discussion aims to explore his architectural contributions and extract wisdom from his life, acknowledging his various roles beyond being a president, such as a revolutionary leader and the proclaimer of independence.
Challenges in Discussing Soekarno's Architecture
The narrator highlights the difficulty in focusing specifically on Soekarno's architectural works due to the abundance of material primarily covering his political philosophy. Many writings tend to excessively praise Soekarno, attributing all major projects during his era solely to him, which obscures the opportunity to learn genuinely from his architectural contributions. The narrator emphasizes the need for honesty in assessing Soekarno's architectural role, cautioning against blindly giving him credit for every building constructed during his presidency.
The Importance of Honesty in Narrating Facts
The video stresses the importance of honesty when assessing historical facts, using the example of narratives surrounding the Gelora Bung Karno stadium. The same information can be framed to convey different, even contradictory, meanings. By maintaining honesty, the audience can learn more accurately from Soekarno's architectural endeavors.
Soekarno's Early Life and Education
Soekarno was born in Surabaya on June 6, 1901, originally named Kusno Sosrodiharjo. He attended school in Surabaya and later studied at the Hogan School in Bandung, majoring in Civil Engineering, graduating in 1926. Although he was deeply involved in politics during his college years, his passion for architectural drawing was evident.
Soekarno's Time in College
During his time in college, Soekarno was more focused on political thinking than his studies. He confessed that he couldn't be expected to be a brilliant student due to his dedication to political matters. Despite his struggles with exact sciences, he excelled in architectural drawing and was highly regarded by his peers in that field. Although he majored in Civil Engineering because architecture majors didn't exist back then, his interest was in architecture.
Work with Professor Wolf Sumaker
Soekarno's artistic talent was recognized by his teachers, including Professor Wolf Sumaker, who invited him to work at his consulting bureau. Despite working for a Dutch company, Soekarno remained a patriot and refused to assist projects that supported the Dutch East Indies government, demonstrating his firm stance against imperialism and colonialism, even in architecture.
Early Architectural Career
Soekarno founded his first architectural bureau with his classmate Anwari, operating from a simple office in his home. Later, he established another bureau with Engineer Roseno, who specialized in structural calculations while Soekarno focused on architectural design. Soekarno defined his work as beautiful rather than economical, driven by passion and idealism rather than financial gain.
Activist Architect Period
During this period, Soekarno designed numerous residential houses, some of which still exist today. However, his architectural practice was only half-hearted as he was deeply involved in political activities. His political engagements eventually led to imprisonment and exile, disrupting his architectural career.
Exile and Continued Architectural Involvement
Even during his exile in Ende and Bengkulu, Soekarno continued to practice architecture. He contributed to the renovation of the Bengkulu Jamik Mosque and designed several houses. His involvement in national issues and World War II further shifted his focus away from architecture.
Soekarno as President and "Presidential Architect"
As the first president of Indonesia, Soekarno's architectural side manifested in how he arranged the Presidential Palace and selected furniture. He even directed the design of the palace flagpole. Although he didn't engage in the full creative process of an architect, his vision shaped many projects.
Creative Process During Presidency
The video illustrates Soekarno's creative process during his presidency through a story told by Dullah, Soekarno's palace painter. Soekarno would provide the initial idea, and others would realize it into a finished work. This period is characterized as the era of the "presidential architect," where Soekarno's architectural intuition continued to develop, enriched by his travels as president.
Soekarno's Influence on Nation-Building Projects
Soekarno's vision influenced various architectural projects aimed at establishing Jakarta as a lighthouse for a new world order. These projects include Hotel Indonesia, Monas, Istiqlal Mosque, and the Konevo Building. While he wasn't the sole architect, his role in directing the architecture was significant due to his capacity and capability.
Acknowledging Soekarno's Role and Other Architects
The video reiterates that while Soekarno played a crucial role in these monumental projects, it's important to acknowledge the contributions of other architects involved. Architecture is a collective effort, and Soekarno's position as president-architect is akin to Thomas Jefferson, who influenced American national architecture.
Soekarno's Character and Impact on Architecture
Soekarno's strong personality and firm beliefs, combined with his presidential authority, significantly influenced the architectural landscape of Indonesia during his leadership. His involvement in nation-building projects was intense, both domestically and abroad.
Recognition and Legacy
Despite receiving numerous honorary titles, Soekarno's true greatness lies in his dedication to his nation. His architectural background provides additional motivation for Indonesian architects and highlights the advantage of architects being able to think broadly and master details holistically.
Soekarno's Contributions to Indonesian Architecture
Soekarno provided general directions for the design of the Indonesian Pavilion at the New York World Fair, embodying his speech at the UN General Assembly. He also helped support the architecture profession in Indonesia by finding teaching staff when Dutch lecturers left, leading to the first generation of architecture graduates in 1958. Additionally, he served as the protector of the Indonesian Architects Association.
Conclusion
The video concludes by acknowledging the polarized views on Soekarno, similar to his own observation that he was both cursed and worshipped. While his greatness doesn't solely stem from his architectural side, his love for his nation led him to dedicate his life to Indonesia. The audience is encouraged to explore the wisdom from the life of Soekarno, the architect of the Indonesian nation.
