Photo: ISI BALI Rector, Prof. Dr. I Wayan “Kun” Adnyana (right), and the Chief Executive Officer of BESTie Co., Ltd., Mr. Matsumoto Yuki, during a meeting to discuss preparations for the international internship program at Sabha Citta Mahottama Hall, ISI BALI, on Wednesday (8/7).
The Indonesia Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI) continues to advance the implementation of its international internship program in collaboration with the ceramic industry in Hasami, Japan. As a follow-up to the recently established partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Cooperation Agreement with Japanese partners, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BESTie Co., Ltd., Mr. Matsumoto Yuki, visited ISI BALI on Wednesday (8/7) to discuss preparations for the program with the institute’s executive leadership.
The meeting, held at the ISI BALI Teleconference Room, was hosted by ISI BALI Rector, Prof. Dr. I Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, accompanied by the Vice Rectors, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD), the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FSRD, the Director of the Graduate School, the Head of the Bureau of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Cooperation, and the Head of the Bureau of Planning, General Affairs, and Finance. Mr. Matsumoto was accompanied by Ms. Alja, a Japanese language instructor who will provide language training for students participating in the internship preparation program.
Previously, on Tuesday (23/6), ISI BALI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association and BESTie Co., Ltd. in Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The MoU was signed by ISI BALI Rector, Prof. Dr. I Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, together with Mr. Kazuhiko Ota, Chairman of the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association, and Mr. Matsumoto Yuki, CEO of BESTie Co., Ltd. On the same occasion, a Cooperation Agreement was also signed between the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) of ISI BALI and the two Japanese partners by the Dean of FSRD, Drs. I Nengah Sudika Negara, M.Erg.
Photo: ISI BALI and BESTie Co., Ltd. discuss preparations for the international internship program in Hasami, Japan, at Sabha Citta Mahottama Hall, ISI BALI, on Wednesday (8/7).
ISI BALI Rector, Prof. I Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, expressed his appreciation for the visit, describing it as an important step toward realizing the international internship program agreed upon by both parties. He noted that technical discussions concerning the training curriculum would be further coordinated with the leadership of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design to ensure that the program aligns with the needs of Japan’s ceramic industry.
“Thank you, Mr. Matsumoto, for your visit. Discussions regarding the training curriculum can be further coordinated with the Dean and the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FSRD. In the near future, ISI BALI will also begin disseminating information regarding the recruitment of participants for the training program,” he said.
In the initial phase, ISI BALI will recruit 25 seventh-semester students from the Study Programs of Craft Arts, Fine Arts, and Product Design. The selected participants will undertake an intensive training program, including Japanese language instruction, scheduled to commence on 1 September 2026 as preparation for entering the professional industry. Upon completion of the training, the eight highest-performing participants will be selected to undertake the international internship program in Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The remaining 17 participants will be placed in internship programs with reputable craft industry partners in Indonesia, ensuring that all trainees gain meaningful professional experience relevant to their respective fields of study.
Meanwhile, the CEO of BESTie Co., Ltd., Mr. Matsumoto Yuki, affirmed his company’s readiness to begin the interview process as part of the participant selection for the training program. He also introduced Ms. Alja as one of the Japanese language instructors who will mentor the students throughout the preparation period.
Mr. Matsumoto emphasized that the partnership would not only provide ISI BALI students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in ceramic arts in Japan but would also serve as a mutually beneficial platform for cultural exchange. According to him, the interest of Japanese students in studying ceramic arts and Balinese culture continues to grow.
“I have observed that many Japanese students are interested in studying ceramics in Bali. After visiting several temples, I have also experienced the richness of Bali’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Experiences like these will undoubtedly become a unique attraction for Japanese students wishing to study here,” he remarked.
He further expressed his hope that the close coordination and collaboration among BESTie Co., Ltd., the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association, and ISI BALI would continue to strengthen, ensuring the successful implementation of the training program and international internship while delivering meaningful benefits for all parties involved.
The international internship program in Hasami represents the initial implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement established between ISI BALI and its Japanese partners. Through this initiative, students will not only gain learning experiences in one of Japan’s leading ceramic production centers but will also broaden their international perspectives, enhance their professional competencies, and strengthen collaborative networks in the fields of arts and the creative industries between Indonesia and Japan.
Exhibition Featuring 79 Works from Eight Countries
Photo: The Rector of ISI Bali visits the international craft exhibition Becoming: Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma at ARMA, Ubud, on 5 July.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, in collaboration with the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), presented an international craft exhibition entitled Becoming: Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma as part of the museum’s 30th anniversary commemorative program. The exhibition was officially inaugurated by the Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, on 5 July at ARMA, Ubud.
Curated by Jean Couteau, Wayan Seriyoga Parta, and Warih Wisatsana, the exhibition serves as both a platform for artistic appreciation and a venue for intercultural exchange among contemporary craft artists. A total of 50 artists from eight countries—the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, India, Kenya, Iran, and Indonesia—present 79 two- and three-dimensional artworks representing a wide range of craft media.
According to the Chair of the Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Wayan Suardana, the exhibition constitutes one of the principal programs commemorating ARMA’s 30th anniversary, celebrated on 9 June 2026. Through collaboration with the Craft Study Program of ISI Bali, ARMA has organized this international-scale exhibition, which runs from 5 to 18 July 2026.
Prof. Suardana further explained that, in addition to international participants, the exhibition also involves academics and art practitioners from numerous higher education institutions across Indonesia, including ISI Yogyakarta, ISI Surakarta, ISBI Bandung, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Institut Informatika Indonesia Surabaya, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Universitas Bumigora Nusa Tenggara Barat, as well as members of the Surabaya visual arts community.
Photo: The international craft exhibition Becoming: Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma at ARMA, Ubud, on 5 July.
The exhibition showcases 79 artworks, comprising 28 ceramic sculptures, six terracotta works, nine ceramic vessels, four metal craft works, three keris (traditional Indonesian daggers), six textile works, three artistic batik pieces, two woodcraft works, four tapestries, six mixed-media works, one shadow puppet (wayang kulit), and four installations.
In his opening remarks, the Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, expressed his appreciation for the Craft Study Program of ISI Bali, which initiated and served as the principal organizer of the exhibition.
“This exhibition is a genuine initiative of the Craft Study Program of ISI Bali, organized without external institutional funding. It demonstrates an admirable commitment to artistic practice and an exceptional capacity to establish collaborative networks,” he stated.
Prof. Adnyana emphasized that craft has often been narrowly perceived as handicraft or mass-produced objects, whereas it is fundamentally the result of a creative process rooted in the long history of human civilization. He argued that art and craft should not be regarded as separate domains, as both emerge through contemplation, creativity, and the search for meaning. Craft, in particular, embodies both artistic expression and functional value.
He further explained that the exhibition theme, Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma, offers a philosophical reflection on the creative process underlying craft practice. Prakriti symbolizes nature as the primary source of inspiration, materials, energy, and knowledge. Pustaka represents the intellectual traditions, empirical experiences, technical exploration, and cultural dialogue through which creativity develops. Padma (lotus) signifies the realization of aesthetic achievement attained through profound artistic contemplation, resulting in craft works that embody functional, artistic, spiritual, and universal humanistic values.
“Craft is not a secondary form of art. This exhibition serves as an important moment to reaffirm that art is an essential component of cultural and civilizational development. Creativity originates from nature, knowledge refines artistic production, and beauty enables cultural values to be transmitted to future generations,” affirmed the Professor of Art History.
On the same occasion, Prof. Adnyana also highlighted ISI Bali’s expanding international collaborations in the field of craft arts. He announced that ISI Bali had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association and BESTie Co., Ltd., located in Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Through this partnership, ISI Bali will develop an international internship curriculum that enables students to undertake Japanese language instruction and ceramic production training prior to participating in internships and professional placements within the Hasami ceramic industry.
He also expressed his appreciation to the ARMA family for fostering a collaborative environment, as well as to the curators, lecturers, students, alumni, participating artists, organizing committee, and institutional partners whose contributions ensured the success of the exhibition.
Meanwhile, Anak Agung Gde Rai, Founder of ARMA, conveyed his appreciation for the enduring partnership with ISI Bali. According to him, Becoming: Prakriti–Pustaka–Padma is not merely an exhibition of artworks but also an embodiment of the enduring spirit of growth and transformation.
He expressed the hope that the exhibition would stand as evidence that, from Ubud and from Bali, cultural connections continue to be woven across the world. Craft, he noted, is not an inanimate object but a living cultural heritage that continues to evolve.
“Becoming is more than a title; it reflects an ongoing process of transformation. From a modest dream in Ubud, ARMA has grown into a place where the world encounters the spirit of Bali. That same spirit of becoming is vividly reflected in the craft works presented in this exhibition,” he concluded.
Photo: ISI BALI lecturer I Gde Made Indra Sadguna, Ph.D. (left) and Professor Elizabeth A. Clendinning of Wake Forest University (right) at the premiere screening of the documentary Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali, Monday (29 June), at the Vicon Room, ISI BALI.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI), in collaboration with Wake Forest University, United States, held the premiere screening of the documentary Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali on Monday (29 June) at the Vicon Room, Citta Kelangen Building, Level 2, ISI BALI. The event served as a platform for disseminating the outcomes of a collaborative research project conducted by I Gde Made Indra Sadguna, Ph.D., a lecturer at ISI BALI, and Professor Elizabeth A. Clendinning of Wake Forest University.
The collaboration represents the implementation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the former Indonesian Institute of the Arts Denpasar (now ISI BALI) and Wake Forest University, signed on 12 July 2023. Under this partnership, the two researchers have been conducting a joint study on Balinese traditional musical instruments—particularly the suling (bamboo flute) and sunari—since 2024.
According to Dr. Indra Sadguna, the research initially focused on the artistic dimensions of the Balinese suling. As the study progressed, however, the research team recognized that the suling cannot be understood independently of the sunari and the broader cultural ecosystem in which both instruments exist. Consequently, the project evolved beyond the study of musical instruments as artistic objects to examine the interconnections between bamboo as a natural material, community-based creative practices, cultural traditions, and the spiritual values embedded in Balinese society.
Dr. Indra Sadguna explained that the research seeks to introduce Balinese local wisdom to international audiences through an academic approach complemented by visual media.
“Our goal is to enable more people around the world to appreciate the richness of Balinese local wisdom. Although the project initially focused on the suling, we soon realized that both the suling and sunari are inseparable from Balinese culture. This led us to broaden the research into a more comprehensive exploration of the relationship between nature, humanity, art, and the divine through the use of bamboo,” he said.
He further noted that, within the Balinese tradition, bamboo is far more than a raw material for crafting musical instruments. It embodies philosophical values that reflect the principles of Tri Hita Karana—the harmonious relationship between humans and God, among fellow human beings, and with the natural environment. This perspective, he added, is expected to help international audiences gain a more holistic understanding of Balinese culture.
Photo: Discussion session following the premiere screening of the documentary Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali, Monday (29 June), at the Vicon Room, ISI BALI.
The collaborative research has generated several significant academic and creative outputs. Among them is a book chapter entitled Crafting Harmony: Sustainable Instrument Production in Bali, published in 2025 by Universitätsverlag Hildesheim, Germany. The research also resulted in the documentary Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali, which highlights the cultural values, philosophical foundations, and sustainable practices associated with the use of bamboo in Bali.
The documentary was produced with support from the Wake the Arts program at Wake Forest University and the American Institute for Indonesian Studies (AIFIS). Following the premiere screening, the event continued with a discussion session featuring the researchers, who shared insights into the research process, the documentary’s central themes, and its relevance to the advancement of scholarship on Balinese arts and culture.
As part of efforts to expand the international dissemination of the research, Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali will also be presented to a global audience during the Joint Symposium of the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD) Performing Arts of Southeast Asia (PASEA) Study Group, to be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 2–8 July 2026.
Photo: ISI BALI leadership, guest speakers, and researchers at the premiere screening of the documentary Guna Pering: The Use of Bamboo in Bali.
Photo: Oath-taking and inauguration ceremony for the Coordinator of the Product Design Study Program and 16 Civil Servants (PNS) at ISI BALI, Monday (29 June), at the ISI BALI Media Recording Studio.
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI) continues to strengthen its institutional governance through the oath-taking and inauguration of the Coordinator of the Product Design Study Program and 16 Civil Servants (PNS). The ceremony was officiated by the Rector of ISI BALI, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Adnyana, S.Sn., M.Sn., on Monday (29 June) at the ISI BALI Media Recording Studio.
During the ceremony, Dr. I Kadek Dwi Noorwatha, S.Sn., M.Ds. was officially inaugurated as the Coordinator of the Product Design Study Program. He succeeds Wahyu Indira, S.Sn., M.Sn., who previously served in the position and passed away on Tuesday (2 June) following an illness.
In addition to inaugurating the new Study Program Coordinator, the Rector also administered the oath of office and formally appointed 16 Civil Servants within ISI BALI. Of these, 12 are academic staff (lecturers) and four are administrative personnel, who will contribute to strengthening the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community engagement—as well as enhancing administrative services across the university.
Photo: Oath-taking and inauguration ceremony for the Coordinator of the Product Design Study Program and 16 Civil Servants (PNS) at ISI BALI, Monday (29 June), at the ISI BALI Media Recording Studio.
In his remarks, the Rector emphasized that every appointment represents both a mandate and a mark of trust that must be carried out with integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of responsibility. He noted that every leadership role and status as a civil servant carries the obligation to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of the institution.
Addressing the newly appointed Coordinator of the Product Design Study Program, the Rector expressed his expectation that the new leadership would continue the academic development initiatives established by its predecessor while introducing innovations to further enhance the quality of education, research, and community engagement.
To the newly appointed civil servants, the Rector encouraged them to uphold the core values of Indonesia’s civil service, maintain the highest standards of professional ethics, and foster a collaborative working culture in support of ISI BALI’s vision of becoming a distinguished arts university with strong character, academic excellence, and global recognition.
The inauguration ceremony was conducted in a solemn atmosphere and attended by the university’s structural leaders. The occasion reflects ISI BALI’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its human resources while ensuring the continuity of effective institutional governance in support of the optimal implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education.
Collaborating to Advance International Craft Arts Education
Photo: ISI BALI Rector Prof. Dr. I Wayan ‘Kun’ Adnyana (second from left), accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD), Drs. I Nengah Sudika Negara, M.Erg., signs the MoU with Kazuhiko Ota, Chairman of the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association (second from right), and Matsumoto Yuki, CEO of BESTie Co., Ltd. (left).
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI) continues to expand its international partnerships to enhance the quality of higher education and strengthen the global competitiveness of its graduates. Demonstrating this commitment, ISI BALI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association and BESTie Co., Ltd., Japan, on Tuesday (23 June) in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. I Wayan ‘Kun’ Adnyana, Rector of ISI BALI, together with Kazuhiko Ota, Chairman of the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association, and Matsumoto Yuki, CEO of BESTie Co., Ltd. On the same occasion, the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design (FSRD) ISI BALI also signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with the two Japanese partners. The agreement was signed by Drs. I Nengah Sudika Negara, M.Erg., Dean of FSRD ISI BALI.
Photo: MoU Signing Ceremony between ISI BALI, the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association, and BESTie Co., Ltd., held on Tuesday (23 June) in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
The signing ceremony was conducted in a warm and distinguished atmosphere, attended by approximately 40 invited guests representing the ceramic industry, ceramic research institutions, members of parliament, and government officials from Hasami Town and Nagasaki Prefecture, including Murayama Hiroshi, Vice Mayor of Hasami. Prior to the signing ceremony, the national anthems of Indonesia (Indonesia Raya) and Japan (Kimigayo) were performed.
This collaboration represents a strategic initiative to develop internationally oriented ceramic arts education through a strong partnership between higher education and Japan’s globally recognized ceramic industry.
The agreement follows the visit of Yoshinori Maekawa, Mayor of Hasami, and Kazuhiko Ota, Chairman of the Hasami Tohjiki Industrial Association, to the ISI BALI campus on 18 February 2026. During that visit, both parties explored potential areas of collaboration, which subsequently led to an official invitation for the Rector of ISI BALI and the Dean of FSRD to attend the signing ceremony in Japan.
Photo: Ceramic products manufactured in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
Hasami is widely recognized as one of Japan’s most renowned ceramic production centers, with a history of producing high-quality ceramics spanning several centuries. Through this partnership, Hasami aims to establish a collaborative project that bridges people, education, and technology between Indonesia and Japan while strengthening connections between academia and the creative industries.
ISI BALI Rector Prof. Dr. I Wayan Adnyana, S.Sn., M.Sn., welcomed the partnership, describing it as a significant opportunity to advance craft arts education at ISI BALI while providing students with access to international learning experiences and industry-based professional training.
“The Craft, Product Design, and Fine Arts Study Programs at ISI BALI have demonstrated outstanding excellence in producing innovative ceramic works. Our students create not only artistic ceramic pieces but also functional ceramic products with strong commercial potential. This collaboration with Japan’s ceramic industry will further strengthen students’ competencies while preparing them to enter the global workforce,” he stated.
Representatives of the Hasami partners also expressed their commitment to supporting human resource development through industry-based education and training. In addition to providing ISI BALI students with opportunities to gain firsthand experience in Japan’s traditional ceramic industry, the collaboration will create career pathways for qualified graduates to pursue professional employment in Hasami.
Under the MoU and the Implementation Agreement, the parties agreed to collaborate in various areas, including academic program development, international curriculum design, internship implementation, employment placement for students and alumni, educational infrastructure development, and other mutually agreed initiatives.
One of the priority programs to be implemented is the development and adoption of a Japanese-standard curriculum for international craft arts education at ISI BALI. The curriculum will be jointly designed with Japanese industry partners to ensure alignment with global workforce demands and developments in the international ceramic industry.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in internship programs at ceramic companies and industries in Hasami with full facilitation from the Japanese partners. The program is intended for seventh-semester students from the Fine Arts, Craft, and Product Design Study Programs and is scheduled to commence in September 2026.
Through immersive learning experiences at one of Japan’s leading ceramic industry centers, students are expected to develop not only advanced technical expertise in ceramic production and material innovation but also a comprehensive understanding of industrial management, professional work culture, and international quality standards. These experiences will equip ISI BALI graduates with the competencies required to compete successfully in the global creative industry. (ISI BALI Public Relations Office)
Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
Denpasar, Bali — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI BALI), in collaboration with the Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology (AIIT), Japan, organized a joint seminar entitled “Religion in Art” (With Particular Focus on Balinese Hinduism and Culture) on Tuesday (23 June) at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI. The event formed part of the Bali-Bhuwana Kanti (Global Culture and Arts Project Networking) program within the framework of Bali Padma Bhuwana VI 2026.
The seminar featured three distinguished speakers from Indonesia and Japan who explored the interrelationship between religion, art, and culture in Balinese society. The speakers included Prof. Mitsuhiro Maeda, Secretary General of the Asia Professional Education Network (APEN); Mr. Masashi Nakagawa, Executive Director of the Global Association of Civilizational Diversity; and Prof. Dr. Gede Yudarta, Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at ISI BALI.
In his presentation, Prof. Mitsuhiro Maeda delivered a lecture entitled “Balinese Community Rituals/Festivals as a New Civilization: Towards Brain Functional Civilizational Analysis.” He emphasized that Balinese rituals and festivals possess not only spiritual and cultural significance but can also be understood as components of a broader civilizational framework that shapes patterns of thought, social behavior, and harmonious relationships among humans, nature, and religious values.
Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
Meanwhile, Mr. Masashi Nakagawa presented a paper entitled “From Artwork to Resonance: Art as a Living Connection in Balinese Society.” His presentation highlighted how works of art in Bali transcend their function as mere aesthetic objects, serving instead as dynamic mediums that connect communities with their traditions, social environments, and the spiritual values embedded in everyday life.
On the same occasion, Prof. Dr. Gede Yudarta presented a study entitled “Religiosity and the Existence of Gamelan Gong Beruk in the Ngusaba Desa Ritual at Pura Pemaksan Bangle, Karangasem, Bali.” He explained that Gamelan Gong Beruk constitutes an important cultural heritage with a vital role in the religious rituals of the local community. Beyond functioning as a performing arts ensemble, it serves as an integral component of spiritual practice and a significant marker of Balinese cultural identity.
Photo: Joint Seminar between ISI BALI and AIIT Japan, Tuesday (23 June), at the General Lecture Hall, Design Hub, ISI BALI.
The seminar was conducted in an interactive format and attended by dozens of students from various academic programs within ISI BALI. Participants demonstrated considerable enthusiasm through active engagement in question-and-answer sessions and discussions addressing strategies for the preservation, safeguarding, and sustainable development of Balinese arts and culture amid the challenges of globalization. (ISI BALI Public Relations Office)
