The Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), proudly announces the launch of the official website for the international research program Exploring New Futures for Indonesian Objects: Dismantling Colonial Knowledge Production and Recovering Lost Histories and Memories, accessible at https://pastfutureheritage.fib.ugm.ac.id/. Officially launched on September 30, 2025, the website is part of a collaborative research initiative between Universitas Gadjah Mada and the University of Amsterdam (UvA), under the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) program Research into Collections with a Colonial Context.
This research program focuses on dismantling the epistemological legacies of colonialism embedded in knowledge about historical objects acquired during the colonial era. The project seeks to establish new frameworks for understanding the history, meaning, and value of such objects—particularly those looted during the Lombok War of 1894 from the Cakranegara Palace of the Mataram Kingdom. These objects serve as windows into recovering memories, histories, and meanings from diverse community perspectives. In doing so, the project not only examines the past but also opens pathways toward building a more inclusive future of knowledge and rethinking the fair management of cultural objects.
The newly launched website provides comprehensive information about the program’s overview, researcher profiles, and updates on ongoing activities. New Futures for Indonesian Objects thus creates a space for the public to follow research developments, engage with the project, and access information about upcoming events. Questions and contributions related to the program can be directed to: pastfutureheritage.ugm@gmail.com.