‘No need to make it weird’: reveal of Indonesia’s Garuda-inspired design for state palace mocked online
- The country’s ambitious US$33 billion project for its new capital in Borneo is facing a wave of criticism for its initial design, which is based on the mythological bird on Indonesia’s national emblem
- In addition to the online mockery, an expert has questioned whether the design was rushed and if the country’s economy has sufficiently recovered from Covid-19
The design by Nyoman Nuarta, Indonesia’s top sculptor, was showcased by national development planning minister Suharso Monoarfa in a now-deleted Instagram post last week. It depicted a palatial complex seemingly shielded by a massive Garuda, looking down at several water fountains.
According to Nyoman, the national emblem – in which a Garuda holds a scroll that says “unity in diversity” – directly inspired the design. The nine-story palace will be set on four hectares of land, while the offices of president and the presidential secretaries and staff will be located inside the bird’s 76-metre-high body – a height chosen as the palace’s groundbreaking is planned for this year, marking Indonesia’s 76th year of independence.
The Garuda’s wingspan will be 200 metres long, and there will be 17 feathers in the wings, eight in the tail, 19 in the base of the tail and 45 in the neck – a representation of August 17, 1945, the country’s independence day. There will also be a 10-hectare outdoor recreation area, including a jogging track, pedestrian path, and other public facilities.
Nyoman said he was given 12 days to prepare the idea and design before he went up against four other participants in a design contest held by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
The design didn’t quite fly among internet users, however, as memes and hilarity quickly ensued.
“It looks campy,” said one Twitter user. “I don’t understand any more. This is a state palace, no need to make it weird.”
Another user of the social media platform pointed out that the design resembled a stage used by Jakarta’s premier dance music festival, DWP, while another replaced the bird with Pokemon and Marvel character the Falcon.