Simulacra
Vol 9, No 1: 2026

Selective memory and digital representation: Chinese Indonesians in ANRI’s “Today’s Archives” virtual exhibition

Eritrina Putri Ekantari (Department of Media and Cultural Studies, The Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl Teknika Utara, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55284 Department of Language, Arts, and Cultural Management, Vocational School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Sekip Unit 1,)
Lasiyo Lasiyo (Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Olahraga, Bulaksumur, Caturtunggal, Depok, Sleman, Yogyakarta 55281)
Budiawan Budiawan (Department of Media and Cultural Studies, The Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl Teknika Utara, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55284)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Jun 2026

Abstract

“Today’s Archives” is a virtual archival exhibition organized by the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) that presents historical events and archival materials related to Indonesian society, including Chinese Indonesians. This study examines how a state organized virtual exhibition constructs public memory about Chinese Indonesians through digital archival representation. Adopting a critical paradigm and multimodal discourse analysis based on Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen, the study analyzes how visual and textual elements construct meaning within digital platforms. This research contributes to digital memory and archival studies by examining how institutional curation and digital mediation shape representations of minority history in contemporary Indonesia. The findings reveal that representations of Chinese Indonesians in the “Today’s Archives” exhibition are shaped through archival selection, visual framing, captions, and platform-based narration. The exhibition predominantly emphasizes narratives of harmony, cultural visibility, and social contribution, while experiences of discrimination, political exclusion, and historical violence remain largely absent. These representations construct a selective and depoliticized form of public memory that aligns with broader narratives of multicultural harmony in post authoritarian Indonesia.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

simulacra

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

The scope of the journal includes general and specific areas of sociology, social work, social psychology, social statistics, criminology, social research methods, and other related disciplines. SIMULACRA: JURNAL SOSIOLOGI accepts both qualitative and quantitative journal manuscripts for ...