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Abstrak :
There are two traditions in the anthropology of art: art as abstract cultural representation and art as expression or message of the artists to their audience. This article aims to balance these two traditions as alternative approach in the study of anthropology of art. Alternative approach is needed for most studies in the anthropology of art in Indonesia encounter difficulty to explain contemporary and traditional arts in the context of contemporary society. This alternative approach offers a view that art product is a synthesis of art production and history of political economy of the society. Marshall Sahlins (1976) suggests this approach which leads us to understand that culture is a symbolic order as also popularized by Louis Althusser. Hence, this article tries to understand symbolic order in the art product by discussing relevant theories in the anthropology of art.

Abstrak :
This article illustrates the process of reformulating Indonesian identities in the new "Si Unyil" program, decisions made, their background and consequences. The new Unyil appears for an ideal: parents miss an educational children television program. Production team seemed to believe that this ideal is not blocking their needs for profit. The question is 'who is the real audience?', 'Children or their parents?'. When reproduced, "Si Unyil" series is problematic. In one hand, the old Unyil is no longer fit the new television industry. Countryside setting is not interesting for the advertisement, so in the new series Unyil lives in a suburb area, place for middle class, the most potential market. Sarong and Malay's hat, wore by old Unyil, now are being replaced by unbuttoned shirt and backpack. The old Unyil played hide and seek and ate traditional cake, now Unyil plays videogame and eats ice cream. But this is an old legendary program for Indonesian children, how do they put the Indonesian context?

Abstrak :
This paper illustrates the significance of underground comics in Indonesia in the absence of a national comics industry. Underground comics means that its selling is independent of common marketing channels, and the comics usually have non-conventional graphics and narrative style. The author focuses on the life and works of Athonk, an Indonesian independent comics' artist, bypasses conventional modes of marketing and strengthens the global network of independent comics' artists and fans through internet. Fed up with the absurdity of Indonesian cultural and political life, Athonk is consistently creating stories of contestation between the powerful and powerless with cynicism through his amusing characters and language. The author places Athonk in the context of Indonesia art history, and debate between 'high art' and 'low art' that dominates discussion of art in Indonesia. The situation discredits comics as a 'low art' form which makes it still very far from establishing its position. Ironically, public welcome his art and this motivates him to keep working. This article hopefully will give broader picture about Indonesian comics as a potential art form and expression in the future.