Engel Tanzil is a curator and co-founder of Dia.lo.gue Artspace, which translates as “he/she-you-me” in the Betawi language. Together with her husband graphic designer Hermawan Tanzil, they’ve created Dia.lo.gue as a venue that supports the work of emerging creatives and local artisans, as well as a platform for critical conversations on contemporary art, design, and culture in Indonesia.
Which three books would you recommend?
The Four Agreements Don Miguel Ruiz
It is about finding personal freedom from beliefs and agreements that are creating limitations and unhappiness in our lives.
It emphasises the importance of standing up for yourself, not allowing others to influence your thoughts and your way of living in a negative way. Instead, we should live the way we want to live and not allow societal expectations to affect our life.
The Diary of a Young GirlAnne Frank
I would love to recommend this book to anyone who has interest in history. It is an unfinished story, finished only by history. Anne has inspired me to be always thankful and grateful.
Life is fragile, we are not guaranteed of a tomorrow so we should always be grateful for what we have today.
The Adventures of TinTinHergé
This took me to Peru, China, Amazon, Scotland, Morocco, Egypt, Congo, Tibet and even to the moon even before I was 11 years old. Growing up with those stories gave me such great memories and they always brought me joy.
Whose reading list are you most curious about?
I think I have too many, I am always curious about the books on the bookshelves of authors, such as Michelle Obama, JK Rowling, Vikram Seth, Joyce Meyer, Agatha Christie, Leo Tostoy, Victor Hugo, Jean Jacques Rousseau, R A Kartini and Pramoedya Ananta Toer. It seems like there are too many great people in this world, and they are an inspiration to me and to life itself.