Recording the future: An audiovisual archive of everyday life in Indonesia in the 21^st century

In 2003, KITLV initiated this long-term audio-visual documentation project in cooperation with Indonesian partners PRMB-BRIN (former LIPI) and Offstream Film. The aim is to establish an audiovisual archive of everyday life in Indonesia during the 21st century, and to conduct research on daily life through this archive. To this end recordings are made in Jakarta, Delanggu (Central Java), Payakumbuh (West Sumatra), Kawal (on the island of Bintan), Sintang (West Kalimantan), Bittuang (Tana Toraja on Sulawesi), Ternate, and Surabaya. Every four years recordings are made at the same locations in order to trace changes and continuities.

The procedures for filming these locations are bound to a strict format in order to facilitate comparisons over time. Another important strategy in approaching everyday life is the recording of a variety of themes and topics. In general, the project covers the fields of work, social life in the public sphere, leisure, religion and aspects of private life. So far, an archive has been created of some 700 hours of recordings, which have been indexed and made accessible for research on site. The project has produced several articles, documentaries, teaching materials and an exhibition. In addition, workshops and masterclasses are given at Indonesian institutions every year to disseminate the archive and to discuss possible themes for the upcoming fieldwork.

Recording the future; An audio-visual archive of ‘everyday life’ in Indonesia in the 21st century, by Ireen Hoogenboom (2024) . Read more

Living in a makeshift world? Mobility, temporariness, and everyday life in Indonesia,  by David kloos (2015). Read more

Moving market, by Ratih Prebatasari (2012). Watch

Being prominent in Indonesia; A day in the life of Ibu Mooryati, by Ahmad Baihaki and Fridus Steijlen (2011) . Watch

A day in the life of a mall, by Andy Fuller (2011) . Watch

Don’t forget to remember me. A day in the life of Indonesia, by Henk Schulte Nordholt and Fridus Steijlen (2008) . Watch