History and theatre – Black Armada exhibition opens in Indonesia | Australian National Maritime...

8/20/2019 History and theatre – Black Armada exhibition opens in Indonesia | Australian National Maritime Muse.pdf

1/7

History and theatre – Black Armada

exhibition opens in Indonesia

Posted on 2 September 2015 by Stephen Gapps

In a spirit of collaboration, historical reenactors wave the Australian flag from the ramparts

at the opening of Black Armada ( Armada Hitam) at the Museum Benteng Vredeburg,

—

Australian National Maritime MuseumWelcome to the museum's blog, updated by staff across all areas of the museum.

https://anmm.wordpress.com/https://anmm.wordpress.com/author/stephengapps/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/


2/7

Exhibition openings in Indonesia are really something. At the Black Armada ( Armada Hitam)

opening at the Museum Benteng Vredeburg, Yogyakarta on 31 August there were decorations,

traditional dancers, prayers, speeches, a sumptuous feast, and to top it all off, an explosion-

packed historical re-enactment of a battle by Indonesian freedom fighters.

I arrived at the Museum Benteng Vredeburg last week to prepare for the opening of the Australian

National Maritime Museum’s travelling exhibition Black Armada, which showcases Australian

support for Indonesia’s struggle to maintain their independence against Dutch attempts to re-

colonise Indonesia between 1945 and 1949.

After a couple of days installing, sourcing materials, working out schedules and getting used to

the heat and humidity, it soon became apparent that the opening event was going to be bigger

than Ben Hur.

The wonderful staff at the museum were preparing banners and flags, building signs, stages and

marquees. The always smiling and energetic Senior Curator Pak Haris was an inspiration.

Registrar Pak Ngahidin seemed to be able to put his hand to anything and built the display case

for the exhibition video.

Pak Hendi, the museum’s graphic designer, thoughtfully and professionally considered the themes

Yogyakarta on 31 August 2015.

https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/11952774_10154314123113438_2938334945994504893_o/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/installing-black-armada-1/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/installing-black-armada-2/http://www.anmm.gov.au/blackarmada


3/7

and overall look of the display. Deputy Director Pak Agus and Education and Publicity officer Pak

Rosid were most helpful. And all this under the auspices of the charming Museum Director Ibu

Azzah.

In fact, the exhibition was two displays. The Museum Benteng Vredeburg took the opportunity of

hosting our modest travelling exhibition to create a temporary exhibition of their own. It was

created in a complementary style and told the wider story of the Indonesian Independence

struggle. Usually in Indonesian depictions of this iconic story of national struggle, Australia doesn’t

rate a mention. However this new display includes not just the actions of the Australian maritime

workers who ordered black bans against all Dutch ships returning to Indonesia in late 1945, but

also the critical actions and support of the Indian and Chinese Seamens Unions based in

Australia.

While Australian and Indonesian diplomatic relations have been a bit frosty of late, it was

wonderful to see both Pak Dubes Riphat Najib Koesema Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and

the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson attending the opening. In their speeches

both Ambassadors were keen to point out that despite some differences along the way, the

broader picture of Australian-Indonesian connections over time has often been overlooked.

Ambassador Grigson noted the hundreds of years of trade relations between Makassan bech de

mer fishers and Indigenous people in northern Australia. Ambassador Koesema noted that the

borders of the two countries are closer than Sydney is to Canberra.

https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/viewing-mbv-exhib/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/cnuhkiyueaaxenj-jpg-large/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/me-peter-resi/


4/7

Despite the sweltering heat and humidity the Chairman of the ANMM Peter Dexter AM gave a

wonderful thank you to the museum and noted the importance of maritime connections between

the two countries that made for excellent collaborative projects and future opportunities. Peter

then exchanged presents with Ibu Azzah. After the speeches and more dancing, the gong was

struck to formally open the exhibition and Bapak Suryanto delivered Do’a oleh, or prayer of

thanks.

The collaboration between an Indonesian and an Australian museum about a shared history

attracted significant media attention both here in Indonesia and in Australia. After a tour of the

displays, the over 100 guests retired to the air-conditioned rooms for a wonderful feast of

Indonesian food.

But one of the most intriguing events was still being staged. In the forecourt of the museum a

group of historical reenactors — Djogjakarta 1945 — was conducting a recreation of the

important battle that occurred right here in these museum grounds.

On 1 March 1949 a force of Indonesian Republican fighters stormed the fortress and swept the

Dutch garrison aside. The battle occurred at a critical point in the Indonesian struggle to maintain

independence. With at first British (and Japanese) assistance, the Dutch military forces had re-

conquered most of Indonesia. Only pockets of resistance fighters held out, mainly in remote areas

of Java. The Dutch were claiming they were in control of Indonesia once more.

https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/present-exchange-2/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/black-armada-opening/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/dancers/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/black-armada-opening-2/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/speakers2/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/cutting-ribbon/http://www.smh.com.au/world/black-armada-20150831-gjbiyy


5/7

But the leaders of the Indonesian Republic knew that while guerrilla tactics had been successful in

continuing the struggle against the superior military power of the Dutch, a major victory in open

combat was needed to both tell the world that Indonesian forces still existed, and to galvanise

support from the Indonesian people.

While the taking of Benteng Vredeburg and Yogyakarta was momentary — the Dutch called

reinforcements and quickly took it back — it showed the Indonesian people that there was indeed

a capable and committed Indonesian republican force. By the end of 1949, the war against the

Dutch was over and they recognised Indonesian independence. The 1 March General Offensive or

Serangan Umum is now commemorated annually as a significant moment in the independence

struggle.

Support for Indonesian independence from Australia had begun with the radical labour

movement, maritime workers and trade unions. By 1949 it had become part of the Chifley Labor

government platform and Australian support in the international recognition of Indonesia was

prominent. It had also come from such sources as Chinese-Australian businessman Fred Wong,

who donated money and purchased Catalina flying boats to drop supplies to the beleagueredIndonesian resistance. But that’s another story.

https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/historical-reenactors/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/11904744_10205972509284090_2527828450417411936_n/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/reenactors-flag/


6/7

The Museum Benteng Vredeburg must be congratulated for putting in such a wonderful effort and

sincere collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum, and for hosting such an

amazing opening. I’m sure it bodes well for future collaborations in maritime history and

archaeology.

– Dr Stephen Gapps, Curator

Black Armada is on show at the Australian National Maritime Museum until 24 February

2016. Stay tuned for more in the Black Armada blog series.

SHARE THIS:

MBV Senior Curator Pak Haris, ANMM curator Dr Stephen Gapps, MBV Registrar Pak

Ngahidin, ANMM Chairman Peter Dexter AM and ANMM Honorary Research Associate

Jeffrey Mellefont

—

!25

"9

# $ % & '

Like

One blogger likes this.

!

RELATED

eventy years of

Indonesian independence

Installing an ANMM

exhibition in Indonesia

A Pinisi fleet and the

Bahari Museum -

Indonesian maritime

heritage in Jakarta

eventy years of Installing an ANMM A Pinisi fleet and the

https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/a-pinisi-fleet-and-the-bahari-museum-indonesian-maritime-heritage-in-jakarta/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/installing-an-anmm-exhibition-in-indonesia/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/seventy-years-of-indonesian-independence/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/a-pinisi-fleet-and-the-bahari-museum-indonesian-maritime-heritage-in-jakarta/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/installing-an-anmm-exhibition-in-indonesia/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/seventy-years-of-indonesian-independence/https://widgets.wp.com/likes/#http://en.gravatar.com/rereetihttps://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/#printhttps://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=email&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=pinterest&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=tumblr&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=google-plus-1&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=twitter&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/?share=facebook&nb=1&nb=1https://anmm.wordpress.com/category/exhibitions/black-armada/http://www.anmm.gov.au/blackarmada


7/7

3 THOUGHTS ON “HISTORY AND THEATRE – BLACK ARMADA EXHIBITION OPENS IN INDONESIA”

Pingback: ANMM Chairman visits key maritime history sites in Indonesia | Australian

National Maritime Museum

Pingback: A museum of dioramas | Australian National Maritime Museum

About Stephen Gapps

Stephen is a Curator at the Australian National Maritime Museum. In 2014 he

developed the War at Sea - The Navy in WWI exhibition. He was previously

responsible for the collection areas of Environment and Industry. In 2015 Stephen

developed a display showcasing Australian and Indonesian maritime connections. He

has research interests in early colonial Australian history, Pirates and Vikings.

View all posts by Stephen Gapps!

This entry was posted in Black Armada and tagged Black Armada, historical reenactment,

Indonesian Independence, Museum Benteng Vredeburg by Stephen Gapps. Bookmark the

permalink [https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-

armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/] .

Indonesian independence exhibition in Indonesia Bahari Museum -

Indonesian maritime

heritage in Jakarta

Resi

on 2 September 2015 at 6:04 pm said:

Informative. Enjoy reading it.
https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/#comment-14851https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/a-pinisi-fleet-and-the-bahari-museum-indonesian-maritime-heritage-in-jakarta/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/installing-an-anmm-exhibition-in-indonesia/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/seventy-years-of-indonesian-independence/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/history-and-theatre-black-armada-exhibition-opens-in-indonesia/https://anmm.wordpress.com/author/stephengapps/https://anmm.wordpress.com/tag/museum-benteng-vredeburg/https://anmm.wordpress.com/tag/indonesian-independence/https://anmm.wordpress.com/tag/historical-reenactment/https://anmm.wordpress.com/tag/black-armada/https://anmm.wordpress.com/category/exhibitions/black-armada/https://anmm.wordpress.com/author/stephengapps/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/a-museum-of-dioramas/https://anmm.wordpress.com/2015/09/15/anmm-chairman-visits-key-maritime-history-sites-in-indonesia/

History and theatre – Black Armada exhibition opens in Indonesia | Australian National Maritime...

Documents

Transcript of History and theatre – Black Armada exhibition opens in Indonesia | Australian National Maritime...