Let’s press rewind a little bit and follow me on an outing that happened before the New Year’s! Towards the end of the year, I had the pleasure of being reunited with my friend Divina—after godknows how many years we hadn’t seen each other. If you’ve been around this blog here for a while, you might have been familiar with her—I’d blogged about our adventures and collaborations since 2012, so you’ve probably seen her on a few past posts. Her homecoming this time was pretty impulsive, so our meetup was pretty impromptu as well. It was Vina’s idea to visit Jakarta Library at Taman Ismail Marzuki—and so away we went.
Let’s press rewind a little bit and follow me on an outing that happened before the New Year’s! Towards the end of the year, I had the pleasure of being reunited with my friend Divina—after godknows how many years we hadn’t seen each other. If you’ve been around this blog here for a while, you might have been familiar with her—I’d blogged about our adventures and collaborations since 2012, so you’ve probably seen her on a few past posts. Her homecoming this time was pretty impulsive, so our meetup was pretty impromptu as well. It was Vina’s idea to visit Jakarta Library at Taman Ismail Marzuki—and so away we went.
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens + 2 camera phones
By the Books
Before we talk about what we got up to when we were there, let me talk a little bit about the library. In case you didn’t know, the Jakarta Library is actually a collection of libraries spread all across the city—one of it is located at Taman Ismail Marzuki. Much like the art hub complex, the library underwent a major revitalisation in 2019 and re-opened in July 2022 with a whole new look as designed by the nationally renowned architect Andra Matin.
The library is located in Gedung Panjang at Taman Ismail Marzuki, specifically on the third floor—you can easily access it from the complex’s façade. The library is comprised of 4 floors, although I find the first floor to not be very efficiently used—designated only for entrance and mandatory lockers. It is only from the second floor upwards will you be able to experience the library. This is where you’ll find the iconic cascade of wooden bookshelves.
Before we talk about what we got up to when we were there, let me talk a little bit about the library. In case you didn’t know, the Jakarta Library is actually a collection of libraries spread all across the city—one of it is located at Taman Ismail Marzuki. Much like the art hub complex, the library underwent a major revitalisation in 2019 and re-opened in July 2022 with a whole new look as designed by the nationally renowned architect Andra Matin.
The library is located in Gedung Panjang at Taman Ismail Marzuki, specifically on the third floor—you can easily access it from the complex’s façade. The library is comprised of 4 floors, although I find the first floor to not be very efficiently used—designated only for entrance and mandatory lockers. It is only from the second floor upwards will you be able to experience the library. This is where you’ll find the iconic cascade of wooden bookshelves.
The architecture was pretty much the main reason we visited the library in the first place. Being an architect herself, Divina is so intrigued by the works of Andra Matin and wanted to see one for herself. I think she was pretty impressed—and so was I, for that matter. Though I’m not a huge fan of the building’s exterior—or the entire complex, for that matter—the library looks really elegant, beautiful and the design imbues a sense of solitude. That was perfect for a library. There were a lot of seatings available all around the library, including a multimedia area where you can borrow a computer on-site. I could picture myself working from here and may even do so in the future.
While the place is clearly aesthetically pleasing, I must say it doesn’t really serve its functions optimally. There were a lot of rooms available for specific purposes—such as disabled-friendly rooms, recording studios and work areas—yet they are mostly tucked at the back with barely any wayfinding that most people probably don’t know they exist in the first place. The signage and labels on the bookshelves also feel pretty unclear to me. Sure, the shelves near the entrance are properly labelled and arranged—although I have also found some discrepancies here too—but the ones at the upper floors are pretty much devoid of all segmentation, which is confusing and, frankly, frustrating. Such a shame, since conceptually, the library is pretty impressive.
Thrifted shirt + skirt + jacket // old socks + boots // photos of me by Divina (except this one)
The architecture was pretty much the main reason we visited the library in the first place. Being an architect herself, Divina is so intrigued by the works of Andra Matin and wanted to see one for herself. I think she was pretty impressed—and so was I, for that matter. Though I’m not a huge fan of the building’s exterior—or the entire complex, for that matter—the library looks really elegant, beautiful and the design imbues a sense of solitude. That was perfect for a library. There were a lot of seatings available all around the library, including a multimedia area where you can borrow a computer on-site. I could picture myself working from here and may even do so in the future.
While the place is clearly aesthetically pleasing, I must say it doesn’t really serve its functions optimally. There were a lot of rooms available for specific purposes—such as disabled-friendly rooms, recording studios and work areas—yet they are mostly tucked at the back with barely any wayfinding that most people probably don’t know they exist in the first place. The signage and labels on the bookshelves also feel pretty unclear to me. Sure, the shelves near the entrance are properly labelled and arranged—although I have also found some discrepancies here too—but the ones at the upper floors are pretty much devoid of all segmentation, which is confusing and, frankly, frustrating. Such a shame, since conceptually, the library is pretty impressive.
Thrifted shirt + skirt + jacket // old socks + boots // photos of me by Divina (except this one)
Our Shared Shelf
As soon as we arrived and met up, Vina was set on exploring the premises. We looked at the rooms at the back—and even managed to find a somewhat remote area, separate from the rest for workrooms. She took some photos of the place, possibly as a reference for future projects or simply because the form looked interesting.
We scanned the bookshelves and decided to take a few books to read—or skim through, more like—together. Each person is allowed to take only 2 books max from the shelf, so we ended up with four books, one of which is about Raden Saleh. We spent the most time with that one, no doubt.
Since this is Indonesia and it’s impossible to get total silence here, we had a jolly time catching up and discussing future projects together as we flipped through the books.
As soon as we arrived and met up, Vina was set on exploring the premises. We looked at the rooms at the back—and even managed to find a somewhat remote area, separate from the rest for workrooms. She took some photos of the place, possibly as a reference for future projects or simply because the form looked interesting.
We scanned the bookshelves and decided to take a few books to read—or skim through, more like—together. Each person is allowed to take only 2 books max from the shelf, so we ended up with four books, one of which is about Raden Saleh. We spent the most time with that one, no doubt.
Since this is Indonesia and it’s impossible to get total silence here, we had a jolly time catching up and discussing future projects together as we flipped through the books.
While we’re here, I’d like to promote a few of Vina’s projects. You might not have known that we are long-time friends, but you might remember her from my Muslim Content Creator post. Well, there’s more where that came from.
Vinaulia
YouTube
Vina got into YouTube long before I did and she actually inspired me to start. Her videos are mostly comprised of vlogs and sit-down chat sessions with her friends. She is an advocate for mental health and eco-conscious living which is reflected in her contents. Although she doesn’t really post videos anymore, I would highly recommend checking her channel when you have the chance. As I’ve mentioned before, her series—such as Nikah on Budget and Kuliah Arsitektur—can really be so insightful for people who may be looking to do the same.
Prapudar
Photography
In 2018, Vina started a photography business with her friend Mega. Initially based in Berlin and Hannover, the two of them have taken the Indonesian diaspora in Germany and around by a storm. They take intimate photographs of their clients through important milestones in their lives—marriage, pregnancy, birth, holidays. They treat their clients wit the utmost care and aim to bring out their true self through photos. It is this dedication and compassion that lead to the growth of their business through word of mouth from satisfied clients. If you’re in Germany or Western Europe, please do check out their portfolio.
At this age, I see friendship so very differently from when Vina and I first met, first got reunited and last saw each other. I used to think friendship means keeping each other on the loop in life, all the time, and choosing them always—and vice versa. Now, though, being in my 30s with so many varying priorities and goals, it is impossible to keep up-to-date with everyone’s lives in realtime—and they mine too. Being friends doesn’t necessarily mean talking to each other everyday—heck, maybe not even every year—but knowing that the line is still there should you want to reach out. Today I have a lot of friends like that, and I’m always so happy to catch up with them.
Thank you for the fun outing day, Vina!
So glad we’ve been friends this long.
While we’re here, I’d like to promote a few of Vina’s projects. You might not have known that we are long-time friends, but you might remember her from my Muslim Content Creator post. Well, there’s more where that came from.
Vinaulia
YouTube
Vina got into YouTube long before I did and she actually inspired me to start. Her videos are mostly comprised of vlogs and sit-down chat sessions with her friends. She is an advocate for mental health and eco-conscious living which is reflected in her contents. Although she doesn’t really post videos anymore, I would highly recommend checking her channel when you have the chance. As I’ve mentioned before, her series—such as Nikah on Budget and Kuliah Arsitektur—can really be so insightful for people who may be looking to do the same.
Prapudar
Photography
In 2018, Vina started a photography business with her friend Mega. Initially based in Berlin and Hannover, the two of them have taken the Indonesian diaspora in Germany and around by a storm. They take intimate photographs of their clients through important milestones in their lives—marriage, pregnancy, birth, holidays. They treat their clients wit the utmost care and aim to bring out their true self through photos. It is this dedication and compassion that lead to the growth of their business through word of mouth from satisfied clients. If you’re in Germany or Western Europe, please do check out their portfolio.
At this age, I see friendship so very differently from when Vina and I first met, first got reunited and last saw each other. I used to think friendship means keeping each other on the loop in life, all the time, and choosing them always—and vice versa. Now, though, being in my 30s with so many varying priorities and goals, it is impossible to keep up-to-date with everyone’s lives in realtime—and they mine too. Being friends doesn’t necessarily mean talking to each other everyday—heck, maybe not even every year—but knowing that the line is still there should you want to reach out. Today I have a lot of friends like that, and I’m always so happy to catch up with them.
Thank you for the fun outing day, Vina!
So glad we’ve been friends this long.