2. FOUNDING HISTORY Taring Padi is an independent organization that operates in the field of art and culture. On the 21 st December 1998, Taring Padi declared its Cultural Manifesto , which expresses fervent opposition to the art for art doctrine through both, state and private institutions, throughout the New Order period in Indonesia.Taring Padi feels the people of Indonesia are oppressed not only in the fields of economy and politics, but the cultural sector as well, in that their right for creative expression in order to create and develop and self determine their own culture has been repressed. For Taring Padi, art is at once a media and a weapon for art workers to express their ideas to the people. Taring Padi defines its role as the rebuilding of a peoples culture, and advocates a united conception of People-Orientated Art (Seni Kerakyatan), Taring Padi’s measure for social commitment emphasizes popular consciousness and the importance of siding with the people.