Affirming Commitment through the Declaration of Panca Mahadharma B-GAAD
Photo: As part of the B-GAAD II 2025 series, performances of Cancala-Bhuwana-Candika, Trunajaya, and Jeriring Janger were staged at the Kirtya Sabha Mahottama Auditorium, ISI Bali, on Friday (October 31).
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali once again established itself as a central hub for higher education in the arts and design within the Asia–Pacific region through the Bali–Global Axis of Arts and Design (B-GAAD) II 2025, officially opened on Tuesday (October 28) at the Kirtya Sabha Mahottama Auditorium, ISI Bali. This year’s B-GAAD carries the theme Tutur–Bhuwana–Tuwuh (Myth–World–Memory), emphasizing the significance of myth as a living body of knowledge that shapes human wisdom and civilizational identity.
The Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Adnyana, stated that B-GAAD represents ISI Bali’s initiative to establish a strategic international platform for the actualization of ideas, connecting higher education institutions in art and design across the Asia–Pacific region. “B-GAAD is not merely a meeting forum but a melting ground of ideas, concepts, and visions that strengthen Asia–Pacific solidarity toward new innovations,” he remarked.
This year, B-GAAD II is joined by eleven universities, three art institutions, and one government organization from across the Asia–Pacific region, including: the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA), Malaysia; Kazakh National Academy of Choreography; Lasalle College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Singapore; Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand; University of Western Australia (UWA); Kyoto Saga University of Arts and Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Japan; University of Iowa, United States; Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam (JKKNI) University, Bangladesh; and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), Republic of Korea. Additional support came from the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), Komaneka Art Gallery, Misato City, Japan, and the Wiswakarma Museum, Gianyar.
In his opening address, the Rector underscored that mythology—as articulated by Edith Hamilton in Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (1969)—reflects the way humans have thought and felt since ancient times. Through mythology, humanity rediscovers its profound connection with nature—with the earth, sea, trees, flowers, and hills—a relationship that has gradually faded in the modern age.
Photo: Reading of the B-GAAD Declaration by the Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, witnessed by the leaders of art and design universities across the Asia–Pacific region, Tuesday (October 28) at the Kirtya Sabha Mahottama Auditorium, ISI Bali.
As a manifestation of its commitment to strengthening networks of collaboration and sustaining academic excellence, B-GAAD II produced the Panca Mahadharma B-GAAD Declaration, titled Caksu–Bhuwana–Citta (Noble Vision for Shining Futures), signed by leaders and faculty members from art and design higher education institutions across the Asia–Pacific. The declaration articulates five core missions:
- To strengthen partnerships for the advancement and sustainability of academic excellence;
- To commit to community welfare and social responsibility;
- To collaborate in preserving culture and local heritage;
- To actively participate in maintaining ecological balance; and
- To foster creativity and technological innovation in the arts and design.
The declaration was signed by prominent leaders and academics, including:
Prof. Dr. I Wayan Adnyana (Rector, ISI Bali, Indonesia); Asst. Prof. Dr. Sanor Klinngam, Dr. Kitsada Tungchawal, and Asst. Prof. Rapipan Thiamdaet (Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand); Prof. Kate Hislop (Dean, School of Design, University of Western Australia, Australia); Prof. Dr. Koh Young Hun (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Republic of Korea); Asst. Prof. Catherine Parrott, MFA (University of Iowa, United States); Prof. Dr. K. Azril Ismail and Assoc. Prof. Suzlee Ibrahim (National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage / ASWARA, Malaysia); Prof. Jaygo Bloom, MFA (Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore); and from ISI Bali: Dr. Ni Made Arshiniwati (Chair of the Senate), Prof. Dr. Anak Agung Gde Bagus Udayana (Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Information Systems), Dr. I Made Jodog (Vice Rector for Planning, Finance, and General Administration), Prof. Dr. I Komang Sudirga (Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Collaboration), and Nyoman Dewi Pebriyani, Ph.D (Director of the Postgraduate Program, ISI Bali).
Photo: Opening Ceremony of B-GAAD II 2025, Tuesday (October 28) at the Kirtya Sabha Mahottama Auditorium, ISI Bali.
A series of B-GAAD II activities took place from October 27 to 31, 2025, across multiple venues both on and off the ISI Bali campus. The event encompassed a wide range of international programs, including the Bali–Global Arts and Design Symposium (B-GADS), Bali–Global Performing Arts Map (B-GPAM), Bali–Global Art Map Exhibition (B-GAME), Bali–Global Innovative Design Map Exhibition (B-GIDME), Bali–Global Encounter Figure (B-GEF), Bali–Global Authentic Trip (B-GAT), B-GAAD Leaders’ Summit, and the Bali–Global Expo and Job Fair (B-GEJF).
The opening event was enlivened by the World Cultural Carnival, which interpreted the theme Myths–World–Memories through an artistic parade involving all undergraduate, applied bachelor’s, and postgraduate programs of ISI Bali. The occasion also featured the launch of the book and art project Bali–Global Encounter Figure (B-GEF) #1: Unveiling Borrowed Light, a collaborative work by Prof. K. Azril Ismail and Azrul K. Abdullah from ASWARA Malaysia, in partnership with the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA).
As part of the B-GAAD II series, a Woodcut Workshop conducted by Prof. Paul Trinidad from the University of Western Australia was also held for ISI Bali students, enriching the cross-cultural and artistic exchange through shared techniques and creative dialogue.
(ISIBALI/Public Relations)
