Hotel Indonesia

Hotel Indonesia was constructed in 1959 with war reparations from Japan. The construction was done by Japan's Taisei Corporation and most of the building's material are high quality imported products. "Except for the timber, the other material, such as the stainless steel ceiling in the corridors, were imported from Japan," Bambang said. In 1961, the hotel was managed by New York-based Inter-Continental Hotel Corporations, and was known as Hotel Indonesia Inter-Continental. It was officially opened on Aug. 5, 1962.
But the value of Hotel Indonesia lies beyond the politics or history. When visitors tour the hotel complex they are immediately struck by the numerous pieces of artwork decorating the walls. The initiator of the hotel, the late president Sukarno, was a very enthusiastic art patron and the hotel's interior is filled with artwork depicting Indonesia at its best. "Sukarno was very involved with the hotel's construction, his concept was to create a little Indonesia in the hotel so that tourists could get a taste of how multicultural the country is," the chairman of the Indonesian Architecture Association (IAI), Bambang R. Yudawan, said.
The building's architecture was designed by American architect Abel Sorensen, who followed an international style,usually favors purism, minimalism and modernism.
Numerous pieces of artwork by local or international artists adorn the hotel. Outside on the left of the hotel is a three-meter-by-24-meter relief depicting the scenes of Balinese life and was created by Sanggar Selabinangun Yogyakarta between 1961 and 1964. Sukarno had a Balinese mother.
Upon entering the lobby -- which was a later addition to the hotel -- visitors are struck by the three flagpoles, created by noted Balinese sculptor Nyoman Nuarta, flying the national red-and-white flag.
During the reformasi years, the HI roundabout became a favorite spot for demonstrations against the government and the hotel was the most strategic place for journalists who covered them. HI public relations manager Meriem Roy said the hotel's balconies facing the roundabout would be filled with cameras and television cameras bearing enormous telephotos to capture the demonstrations below.

Taken From: http://www.indonesiaphoto.com/