Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Tidar: A one-stop art and design shopping destination

By: Novia D. Rulistia

If you’re looking for art accessories, come to Tidar art and design store.

Miniature trees, houses and buildings are available for architectural modeling, various types of paper, canvas and paints for painting enthusiasts, and flexible wood figurines are just some of the things Tidar has on offer.

Tidar was built in the 1960s and is located on Jl. Sabang, Bandung, West Java. In its early years, it mainly sold text books and stationery.

“But as the third manager of the store, in the 1970s I decided to change our focus from books to design-related materials, because books were no longer profitable,” Juliany said.

Tidar imports from several countries, but some are also local stock.

“Materials for architectural models, for example, I buy from local producers on request. I supervise choosing the materials, the designs and their size,” Juliany says.

While she does not have a formal background in design or art, Juliany has learned a lot from her brothers who studied architecture and design.

When a new semester begins the shop is usually packed with students looking for materials for art projects, she says.

“The freshman look for materials to begin their education, while the final-year students look for things to finish their final projects,” Juliany says.

Each university usually has its own specific requirements.

Students could also order accessories if they were not already available, provided that the import partner had the stock requested.

The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), the National Technology Institute (ITENAS), Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar) and Maranatha Catholic University, all in Bandung, are among universities whose students are regular Tidar customers.

“Students from universities in Medan and Palembang also place orders with us regularly,” Juliany says.

She added that some small art shops located in Jakarta even resell Tidar’s products.

“Some of the children of customers who came here years ago are now also Tidar customers. They keep coming here because they can find all the art supplies they need in one place,” she says.

“It’s like a one-stop shopping mall for art and design.”

Tidar also has an outlet on Jl. Surya Sumantri, near Maranatha University, Bandung.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com