The halls of Museum Nasional Indonesia have taken on new life this season, transformed into an immersive tribute to craft, design and cross-cultural connection. The exhibition, L’Art Botanique du Paradis, brings together some of Indonesia’s most prominent artists and designers to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties with France.

Curated by the Didit Hediprasetyo Foundation, the exhibition opened on May 29 and unfolds across five artist-designed rooms. Each space captures a unique aspect of Indonesia’s cultural identity, viewed through the lens of contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship.

“This exhibition is our heartfelt tribute to Indonesia’s artisans and to the cultural bridge we have nurtured with France for 75 years,” said Didit Hediprasetyo, founder of the foundation. “It is an invitation to experience Indonesia’s spirit through spaces that breathe art, design and tradition.”

Each room tells its own story.

In the Tenun Rosé Lounge, Vivianne Faye offers a romantic meditation on songket weaving. Warmth, femininity and texture dominate the space. In Tropical Tranquil, Roland Adam builds a quiet sanctuary where stone and foliage meet—tropical elements placed in still dialogue with Indonesian history. The Wastra, by Joke Roos, reinterprets batik through minimalist restraint and textural rhythm.

The Soul Gallery, curated by Prasetio Budhi, contrasts sharply with the other spaces. It’s darker, more introspective, shaped by ancestral forms and contemporary art. And finally, Amalya Hasibuan’s Whispers of the Tropic invites visitors into a visual poem, using landscape and memory as a bridge between time and feeling.

Traditional textiles like batik and tenun are layered throughout, accompanied by sculptural furniture and objects from across the archipelago. These pieces don’t sit in glass cases—they live in the space. Some rooms also incorporate luxury items on loan from French maisons including Hermès and Louis Vuitton, hinting at the exhibition’s deeper message: that elegance can span continents, and that cultural beauty is often shared, not owned.

Fashion also plays a role. Designers including Auguste Soesastro, Stella Rissa, Sapto Djojokartiko and Heaven Tanudiredja contributed work to the exhibition. Their pieces appear not as isolated runway moments but as part of the broader environment—woven into furniture, space, and story. The installation reflects Indonesia’s broader narrative of fashion as living tradition, grounded in heritage and reimagined in the present.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana praised the exhibit as an act of cultural storytelling.

“Indonesia is a land of stories—told not only through words, but through design, textiles and tradition,” Wardhana said. “This exhibition offers a glimpse into the beauty and depth that await visitors to our archipelago. As we welcome our French friends, we are proud to share this expression of our culture and hospitality.”

The project is supported by InJourney, the state-owned tourism holding company tasked with strengthening Indonesia’s cultural brand globally.

“L’Art Botanique du Paradis is a vivid expression of Indonesia’s creative soul and artisanal heritage,” said Maya Watono, director of marketing at InJourney. “We are honored to present this to the visiting French delegation and distinguished guests as a reflection of our cultural richness—showcasing the depth, beauty and ingenuity of Indonesian craftsmanship in the spirit of friendship and exchange.”

The Museum Nasional’s involvement also underscores the exhibition’s focus on continuity and legacy.

“We are honored to host L’Art Botanique du Paradis in our historic halls,” said Esti Nurjadin, executive director of the Indonesian Heritage Agency. “This exhibition celebrates the synergy between heritage and contemporary creativity, reinforcing our mission to bring Indonesia’s cultural legacy into the present.”

French Ambassador to Indonesia Fabien Penone echoed the importance of cultural dialogue in diplomacy.

“As we celebrate 75 years of friendship between France and Indonesia, this exhibition is a meaningful reflection of our shared love for beauty, culture and artistic collaboration,” Penone said. “It is a beautiful reminder that cultural dialogue can flourish across borders through design, craft and creativity.”

L’Art Botanique du Paradis is not a static display. It’s a living conversation—between past and future, between Indonesia and France, between object and observer. Visitors walk through lush installations that speak in color, texture and silence.

The exhibition runs for a limited time at Museum Nasional Indonesia in Jakarta. While it honors a diplomatic milestone, it also offers something more intimate: a look at how Indonesia sees itself, and how it chooses to be seen by the world.