Photo: The opening ceremony of B-GAAD III 2026 at the Nretya Mandala Open-Air Stage, ISI BALI, Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
All programs of the third Bali-Global Axis of Arts and Design (B-GAAD III) 2026, initiated by the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI) and held from October 26 to 30, concluded successfully and generated an enthusiastic response. Over five days of activities, B-GAAD III, themed Roh-Rong-Reh: “Soul-Space-Sincerity (Jiwa-Jagat-Junjung),” received widespread appreciation and further strengthened the bonds of fellowship among academic communities of arts and design institutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
The opening of B-GAAD III took place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Nretya Mandala Open-Air Stage, ISI BALI, and was marked by The Colossal World Gamelan Celebration, a gamelan concert entitled Wakya-Rong-Wahyu (The Rhythm of the Universe). The concert brought together five gamelan compositions by internationally acclaimed composers Nyoman Windha, Dewa Putu Berata, Ketut Suryatini, Ketut Garwa, and Jeremy Grimshaw, alongside a vocal composition by Gusti Putu Sudarta.
The concert presented a diverse range of Balinese gamelan ensemble traditions, featuring Gender Wayang, Selonding, Gong Gede, and Gong Semara Dana “Damuh Tuwuh” ensembles. These traditional ensembles were integrated with various gamelan instruments and musical traditions from around the world, including Jegog, Tawa-tawa, Neonolin, Busi, Selentem, Javanese Gambang, African Djembe, Nusantara Rebana, flute, Rebab, and violin.
“B-GAAD III prioritizes togetherness, precision, excellence in achievement, and cross-national fellowship throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The theme Roh-Rong-Reh explores the meaning of the existence of the soul and body, intertwined with sincerity and the concept of monoduality, which resonates throughout all the programs,” explained ISI BALI Rector, Prof. Dr. Wayan ‘Kun’ Adnyana.
In her report, Chair of the B-GAAD III Organizing Committee, Dr. Kadek Dwiyani, stated that the implementation of nine B-GAAD III programs involved 1,616 participants from 12 countries. These programs comprised Bali-Global Innovative Design Map Exhibition (B-GIDME), Bali-Global Art Map Exhibition (B-GAME), B-GAAD’s Leader Summit, Bali-Global Arts and Design Symposium (B-GADS), Bali-Global Performing Arts Map (B-GPAM), Bali-Global Encounter Figure (B-GEF), Bali-Global Authentic Trip (B-GAT), Bali-Global Expo and Job Fair (B-GEJF), and the World Cultural Carnival. Participants included international university delegations, symposium speakers, leader summit participants, visual arts and design exhibitors, as well as performers in concerts, carnivals, and workshops.
The opening night celebration also featured a video mapping presentation created by ISI BALI lecturers and students, which artistically incorporated Candi Bhuwana Citta through an elaborate visual composition and carefully designed lighting. The official inauguration of B-GAAD III was marked by the signing of a commemorative poster by ISI BALI leaders, including Senate Chair Prof. Ketut Muka, Vice Rectors Prof. Anak Agung Gde Bagus Udayana, Dr. Made Jodog, and Prof. Komang Sudirga, together with members of the advisory board and international delegates.
The spirit of fellowship fostered through B-GAAD was also reflected in the World Cultural Carnival, which brought together 240 participants from ISI BALI’s undergraduate, applied undergraduate, and postgraduate study programs, alongside international delegations from Brigham Young University, United States, and Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand.
