Art Innovation Born from Silence: ISI Bali Fosters Self-Confidence among the Disabled Community through the Pependetan Nirmala Dance in Buleleng, Bali
Photo: Joint practice session with the Kolok community in Bengkala Village, Buleleng, Bali, Thursday (30/10)
The proposal team from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali successfully implemented the Nusantara Art Innovation Program (PISN) with the theme “Art Innovation from Silence: Building Expression and Self-Confidence among the Disabled Community through the Pependetan Nirmala Dance.” The program was led by Ida Ayu Trisnawati, with team members I Gusti Putu Sudarta and Ida Bagus Ketut Trinawindu, and involved three ISI Bali students: Made Tarayana Amanda Putra, I Dewa Gede William Sedana Putra, and Komang Jana Arta Saputra.
The program was centered in Bengkala Village, Buleleng Regency, widely known as the “Deaf Village” (Desa Kolok) due to its community of people with hearing impairments. Although the village possesses strong artistic potential, the disabled community still faces various limitations in accessing spaces for artistic expression and personal development. This situation inspired the creation of an artistic work that is not only aesthetically appealing but also socially and spiritually meaningful.
Through the creation of the Pependetan Nirmala Dance, the ISI Bali team sought to establish an inclusive artistic space—one that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to express themselves, enhance their self-confidence, and at the same time preserve the cultural and spiritual values of Balinese society. This initiative also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen human resource development in the fields of art, education, gender equality, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The program was carried out in several stages, beginning with the PISN socialization session on 17 October 2025, followed by the Pependetan Nirmala dance training on 30 October 2025. The training took place in collaboration with the Kolok Santhi Community at Banjar Dinas Kajanan, Bengkala Village, Kubutambahan District, Buleleng Regency. The activities were conducted in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and inclusivity, where participants not only learned basic movements and choreography but also explored self-expression, spiritual meanings of movement, and collaborative creation.
In addition to the training, the program included the design of adaptive costumes and properties, intensive mentoring, and documentation of both process and outcomes. Ultimately, the program aims to produce a model of inclusive performing arts that can be adopted by other communities, while reinforcing the interconnection between art, culture, and social empowerment.
Photo: With the Kolok community in Bengkala Village, Buleleng, Bali.
The outcomes of this program have been remarkably positive. Members of the Kolok Santhi Community demonstrated significant improvement in their artistic skills, self-confidence, and enthusiasm in presenting their creations. The culmination of these efforts was the successful staging of an inclusive performance of the Pependetan Nirmala dance, which received widespread appreciation from both the people of Bengkala Village and art enthusiasts.
In addition to the performance, the program also produced a dance learning module, an instructional video, and popular scientific documentation as references for the future development of inclusive art practices. Thus, the Pependetan Nirmala dance stands not only as a new artistic creation but also as a symbol of togetherness, courage, and beauty born from silence.
This program serves as a testament that art can be a bridge for everyone to express themselves—beyond physical abilities or social conditions. Through the collaboration between academics, artists, and local communities, ISI Bali has successfully demonstrated that innovation within traditional arts can generate tangible and sustainable social transformation.
Inovasi Seni dari Keheningan:ISI Bali Bangun Kepercayaan Diri Komunitas Difabel Lewat Tari Pependetan Nirmala, Buleleng. Bali
Foto: Latihan bersama masyarakat Kolok di Desa Bengkala, Buleleng, Bali Kamis (30/10)
Tim pengusul dari Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Bali) sukses melaksanakan Program Inovasi Seni Nusantara (PISN) dengan tema “Inovasi Seni dari Keheningan: Membangun Ekspresi dan Kepercayaan Diri Komunitas Difabel melalui Tari Pependetan Nirmala.”Program ini diketuai oleh Ida Ayu Trisnawati, dengan anggota pelaksana I Gusti Putu Sudarta dan Ida Bagus Ketut Trinawindu, serta melibatkan tiga mahasiswa ISI Bali: Made Tarayana Amanda Putra, I Dewa Gede William Sedana Putra, dan Komang Jana Arta Saputra.
Program ini berfokus di Desa Bengkala, Kabupaten Buleleng, yang dikenal sebagai “Desa Kolok”, karena sebagian warganya merupakan penyandang tunarungu. Meskipun desa ini memiliki potensi seni yang kuat, komunitas difabel masih menghadapi berbagai keterbatasan dalam mengakses ruang ekspresi dan pengembangan diri. Dari kondisi itulah muncul gagasan untuk menghadirkan karya seni yang tidak hanya indah secara estetika, tetapi juga bermakna sosial dan spiritual.
Melalui penciptaan Tari Pependetan Nirmala, tim ISI Bali berupaya menghadirkan ruang seni yang inklusif, memberi kesempatan bagi penyandang disabilitas untuk mengekspresikan diri, meningkatkan kepercayaan diri, sekaligus menjaga nilai budaya dan spiritual masyarakat Bali. Kegiatan ini juga menjadi bagian dari upaya memperkuat pembangunan sumber daya manusia di bidang seni, pendidikan, kesetaraan gender, dan pemberdayaan penyandang disabilitas.
Pelaksanaan program dilakukan secara bertahap, dimulai dengan sosialisasi program PISN pada 17 Oktober 2025, diikuti oleh pelatihan tari Pependetan Nirmala pada 30 Oktober 2025. Pelatihan dilaksanakan bersama mitra Komunitas Kolok Santhi di Banjar Dinas Kajanan, Desa Bengkala, Kecamatan Kubutambahan, Kabupaten Buleleng. Kegiatan berlangsung dalam suasana penuh semangat, di mana peserta tidak hanya diajarkan gerak dasar dan koreografi, tetapi juga diajak untuk mengolah ekspresi diri, memahami makna spiritual gerak, serta berkolaborasi dalam mencipta. Selain pelatihan, program ini juga melibatkan penciptaan kostum dan properti adaptif, pendampingan intensif, serta dokumentasi proses dan hasil karya. Tujuan akhirnya adalah melahirkan model seni pertunjukan inklusif yang dapat diterapkan oleh komunitas lain, sekaligus memperkuat hubungan antara seni, budaya, dan pemberdayaan sosial.
Foto: Bersama masyarakat Kolok di Desa Bengkala, Buleleng. Bali.
Hasil dari pelaksanaan program ini sangat positif. Para anggota Komunitas Kolok Santhi menunjukkan peningkatan keterampilan, rasa percaya diri, dan antusiasme dalam menampilkan karya mereka. Puncaknya adalah terselenggaranya pertunjukan inklusif Tari Pependetan Nirmala yang mendapat apresiasi luas dari masyarakat Desa Bengkala dan para pemerhati seni.
Selain pertunjukan, program ini juga menghasilkan modul dan video pembelajaran tari, serta dokumentasi ilmiah populer sebagai referensi untuk pengembangan seni inklusif di masa mendatang. Dengan demikian, Tari Pependetan Nirmala tidak hanya menjadi karya seni baru, tetapi juga simbol dari kebersamaan, keberanian, dan keindahan yang tumbuh dari keheningan. Program ini menjadi bukti bahwa seni dapat menjadi jembatan bagi siapa saja untuk mengekspresikan diri, tanpa batas kemampuan fisik atau kondisi sosial. Melalui kerja sama antara akademisi, seniman, dan komunitas lokal, ISI Bali berhasil menunjukkan bahwa inovasi dalam seni tradisi dapat melahirkan perubahan sosial yang nyata dan berkelanjutan.
Denpasar, 4 November 2025 — The Product Design Study Program, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali once again held a Guest Lecture as part of its academic enrichment initiatives for students. On this occasion, the program invited Dr. Achmad Syarief, MSD., a lecturer and researcher in the field of product design widely recognized for his expertise in product semantics.
The event, held on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at the ISI Bali campus, was attended by approximately 80 students from the Product Design Study Program. In his lecture titled “Product Semantics: Understanding the Meaning of Design Objects,” Dr. Syarief discussed how form, color, and material in design communicate messages and shape user perception.
In his presentation, he emphasized the importance of understanding semantics in the design process, ensuring that a product is not only functional but also communicates effectively. “Designers must understand how users interpret form and symbolism in a product. This is where semantics serves as a bridge between design and perception,” Dr. Syarief remarked.
Head of the Product Design Study Program, Wahyu Indira, S.Sn., M.Sn., stated that the guest lecture is part of the program’s commitment to providing students with learning experiences that are both contextual and relevant to current developments in the design industry. “Through this activity, students gain direct insights from experienced experts, enriching their perspectives in the process of product design,” he explained.
Students showed great enthusiasm throughout the lecture, engaging in interactive discussions that explored various applications of product semantics in contemporary design. This activity is expected to strengthen students’ conceptual and philosophical understanding of product design, while inspiring the creation of innovative works imbued with meaningful expression.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) organized the Bali–Global Encounter Figure (B-GEF) #2: Printmaking Workshop at the Citta Kelangen Building, 2nd Floor, ISI Bali, on Wednesday (October 29). This event was part of the Bali–Global Axis of Arts and Design (B-GAAD) II 2025 series.
B-GEF serves as a dialogic platform exploring individual and collective interrelations, presented through creative collaborations among maestros, artists, cultural figures, and critics in the form of workshops.
Photo: Printmaking Workshop at the Citta Kelangen Building, 2nd Floor, ISI Bali, Wednesday (October 29).
In the implementation of B-GEF #2, Professor Paul Trinidad from the University of Western Australia served as the keynote speaker. He introduced the technique of relief printing applied to fabric and T-shirts, demonstrating firsthand the process of ink application through to the final printing stage.
The workshop was attended by dozens of students from various study programs, including Visual Communication Design, Fine Arts, Craft, and Product Design at ISI Bali. Participants showed great enthusiasm as they learned and practiced printmaking techniques alongside the maestro, gaining an artistic experience that harmoniously blended traditional methods with contemporary explorations. (ISI Bali/Public Relations)
Photo: The leadership of ISI Bali and B-GAAD II delegates together with all contingents of the World Cultural Carnival ISI Bali, Tuesday (October 28) at the Design Hub Building, ISI Bali.
The World Cultural Carnival, part of the 2025 Bali–Global Axis of Arts and Design (B-GAAD) II series, successfully captivated international delegates visiting the campus of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) on Tuesday (October 28). This interdisciplinary art parade showcased the richness of mythology, creativity, and artistic ingenuity of students from all study programs at ISI Bali, woven together under the overarching theme “Tutur–Bhuwana–Tuwuh” (Myths–World–Memories).
Held following the commemoration ceremony of Youth Pledge Day, the carnival commenced in front of the Lata Mahosadhi Building, proceeded toward the Design Hub area, continued south to the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, and returned to the starting point. Along the route, participants presented thematic fashion parades, dance, theater, music, and artistic installations reflecting the identity of each study program. The main stage in front of the Design Hub Building became the focal point of the event, where all contingents performed their principal showcases before the Rector, university leaders, institutional partners, and international guests of B-GAAD.
Photo: The leadership of ISI Bali and B-GAAD II delegates watch the World Cultural Carnival ISI Bali, Tuesday (October 28) at the Bencingah of the Design Hub Building, ISI Bali.
A total of sixteen contingents took part in the performance, each interpreting the theme of Balinese mythology and cosmology through diverse artistic media. The Dance Study Program explored the sacred Sanghyang ritual; the Karawitan Program presented the resonant sound of kulkul performed live; while the Performing Arts Education Program showcased creative Cupak–Gerantang costumes.
The Puppetry and Theatre contingents combined wayang orang with body painting, whereas the Fine Arts Program presented memedi-median (spirit figures) visualizations using natural materials. The Craft Program highlighted the elegance of the dragon form, while Interior Design and Architecture presented artistic renditions of lelakut (scarecrows).
The atmosphere of valor and combat was strongly evoked by the Music and Digital Business contingents through the theme “Genderang Perang” (War Drums), featuring live wind instrument performances. Meanwhile, the Visual Communication Design Program enlivened the carnival with the theme Mayadenawa, accompanied by distinctive sound effects creatively produced by the students themselves.
Photo: The Dance Study Program performing Sasanghyangan at the World Cultural Carnival ISI Bali, Tuesday (October 28) at the Bencingah of the Design Hub Building, ISI Bali.
From a visual standpoint, the Photography Program captivated audiences with the theme Kalarau, employing dynamic reflector lighting effects; the Fashion Design Program presented the long-haired figure Dadayangan; while the Film and Television Production Program showcased Wong Samar, featuring mysterious camouflage costumes. Equally impressive, the Product Design Program introduced costumes inspired by Bedawang—a giant, scaly turtle—whereas the Animation Program staged a lively parade of Tantri-themed animal characters.
The postgraduate programs also enlivened the parade: the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) highlighted the symbol of Garuda as a representation of strength, while the Master’s Program (M.A.) featured Dewi Sri, the goddess of fertility, complete with tirta props and graceful live music accompaniment.
Each contingent consisted of approximately twenty members, including both faculty and students, presenting an artistic synthesis of fashion, choreography, props, and thematic music. This cross-disciplinary collaboration exemplified the rich artistic expression of ISI Bali’s academic community in responding to the overarching theme of B-GAAD II, which intertwines myth, world, and the memories of civilization. (ISI Bali/Public Relations)
