Photo: Opening of the National Visual Arts and Design Exhibition (Waskita Rupa) at Sangkring Art Space, Saturday (8/11). The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) organized the National Visual Arts and Design Exhibition (Waskita Rupa): Warma Bhuwana Wangsa – The Human Offering to the World. This exhibition forms part of the Bali Nata Bhuwana IV series, serving as a national platform for the actualization of academic and creative learning outcomes.
This prestigious event took place at Sangkring Art Space from 8 to 18 November 2025. The opening ceremony, held on Saturday (8/11), was officiated by Gusti Pangeran Haryo Indrokusumo, representing the Adipati of Pakualaman, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Aryo (KGPAA) Paku Alam X. The event was attended by the Rector of ISI Yogyakarta and colleagues, delegates from the Indonesia Institute of Art and Culture (ISBI) Bandung, academics, and distinguished artists from various regions across Indonesia.
Photo: National Visual Arts and Design Exhibition (Waskita Rupa) at Sangkring Art Space, Saturday (8/11). Curated by Prof. Dr. I Wayan Karja, MFA and Dr. A.A. Gede Rai Remawa, the exhibition presented works by artists and designers from nine higher education institutions in Indonesia: ISI Bali, ISI Yogyakarta, ISI Surakarta, ISBI Bandung, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, STKW Surabaya, Institut Kesenian Jakarta, Telkom University, and Universitas Bumigora. More than 60 artists and designers participated, including A.A. Anom Mayun Kt., Agung Cahyana, Aries Burdani, Bayu Segara Putra, Cokorda Alit Artawan, Danang Priyanto, Djul Djati Parmuhadi, and many others representing a wide diversity of styles, media, and artistic perspectives.
Representing the Adipati Pakualaman, Gusti Pangeran Haryo Indrokusumo expressed appreciation for the exhibition initiated by ISI Bali. “We welcome the overarching theme Warma–Bhuwana–Wangsa, interpreted as The Human Offering to the World. This philosophy resonates strongly with the cultural ethos of the Nusantara, where art is not merely a form of self-expression but also an offering and a contribution to humanity and the universe.”
The Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Wayan ‘Kun’ Adnyana, explained that the exhibition—intended to disseminate research and artistic creations by ISI Bali lecturers and students—constitutes a tangible manifestation of the “offering” of knowledge and aesthetics. It is a noble endeavor to embrace and enlighten the public through visionary and meaningful artistic works.
Prof. Kun Adnyana further added that the selection of the Special Region of Yogyakarta as the venue, particularly Sangkring Art Space for the Waskita Rupa Exhibition, signifies the enduring cultural ties between Bali and Java, especially Yogyakarta. (ISI Bali/Public Relations)
Photo: National Art Performance (Kalang Kalangon), Sunday (9/11) at Bangsal Kepatihan, Pakualaman, Yogyakarta. As part of the Bali Nata Bhuwana IV 2025 series, the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali (ISI Bali) organized the national art performance Kalang Kalangon, themed “Warma–Bhuwana–Wangsa: Human Virtue for the World”, on Sunday (9/11) at Bangsal Kepatihan, Pakualaman, Yogyakarta. This event served as a dissemination platform for the outcomes of the Research, Creation, and Dissemination of Art and Design (P2DSD) program conducted by ISI Bali lecturers, showcasing research outputs, artistic creations, and innovative works in a public performance format.
The Kalang Kalangon performance was officially opened by Gusti Pangeran Haryo Indrokusumo, representing Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Aryo (KGPA) Paku Alam X, Adipati of the Pakualaman Duchy. In his opening remarks, he expressed his appreciation for ISI Bali’s contribution to enriching the national arts ecosystem and strengthening cultural relations between Yogyakarta and Bali.
Photo: The Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. Wayan “Kun” Adnyana, presents a souvenir to Gusti Pangeran Haryo Indrokusumo and the Chair of the Senate Commission of ISI Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Dana, S.S.T., M.Hum., on Sunday (9/11) at Bangsal Kepatihan, Pakualaman, Yogyakarta. In his remarks, the Rector of ISI Bali, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Adnyana, stated that the Kalang Kalangon performance reflects ISI Bali’s commitment to affirming the arts as a space where values, knowledge, and humanity converge. “Through the theme Warma–Bhuwana–Wangsa, we aim to underscore that art is a form of derma—a creative offering of humanity to the world. This performance serves as a medium for building cultural networks, strengthening interregional collaboration, and presenting works emerging from research, teaching, and artistic practice within the academic environment,” he remarked.
Photo:Warma–Bhuwana–Wangsa Dance Performance (The Human Offering to the World), Sunday (9/11) at Bangsal Kepatihan, Pakualaman, Yogyakarta. This performance presented a curated selection of artworks as a form of “offering” of knowledge, creativity, and aesthetics to the public. The works showcased included Tari Golek Nangun Asmara by AKN Yogyakarta, Ladrang Asmaradana Laras Pelog Pathet Nem Concert by AKN Yogyakarta, and Tari None Nyentrik by Sanggar Ayodya Pala Jakarta. The award-winning P2DSD impactful works from ISI Bali featured in the event were Tari Prasnaya Prami, Kebyar Citta Utsawa Concert, and the main presentation, Tari Warma–Bhuwana–Wangsa (The Human Offering to the World).
Through this performance, ISI Bali not only presented artistic showcases but also disseminated research and creative outputs from its lecturers and students, demonstrating a concrete academic and artistic contribution to the development of Indonesian arts and culture. The event served as an important platform for strengthening creative dialogue among artists, scholars, and the public, while underscoring the role of art as a path of human devotion to the world. (ISI Bali/Public Relations)
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.
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)
