The Study Program of Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has officially opened its art exhibition, “Re.uni(que): Menganyam Pesona dan Merajut Perjumpaan.” The inauguration took place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Building Unit 03 of the Graduate School. This significant event is a cornerstone of the PSPSR Syawalan Seni series. Also, it celebrates two important milestones: the 36th anniversary of Lono Simatupang’s academic legacy and the 34th year of the PSPSR program itself. The exhibition will be accessible to the public until May 21, 2025.
The opening ceremony began with a welcome speech by the Head of the PSPSR Master’s Program at UGM, Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum, followed by remarks from the exhibition curator, Dr. Nadiyah Tunnikmah, M.A., who is also an alumna of the PSPSR Program. The exhibition was then officially opened by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Collaboration, Prof. Dr. Widyanto Dwi Nugroho, S.Hut., M.Agr.
A collective of twenty-five participants, including lecturers, alumni, and current students from PSPSR UGM, is contributing their creative works. The exhibition showcases diverse visual artworks, spanning two-dimensional paintings, installations, crafts, photography, and plastic upcycling art. These pieces are thoughtfully arranged across the first and second floors of Building Unit 03 at the Graduate School, offering a dynamic viewing experience.
Among the participating artists was Dharajatya Tri. P, a Master’s student in PSPSR UGM, who designed an installation of innovative fashion. Dharajatya created unique garments from leftover fabric he collected from various places. In his interview, Dharajatya explained the background of his work. “This fashion work originated from my concern regarding societal behavioural changes, especially in Yogyakarta, concerning persistent waste issues,” he stated. “I intend this as my critical response to waste problems, particularly textile waste. We need to increase our awareness and focus on sustainability and waste management aspects, specifically textile waste,” he emphasized. Dharajatya added that he had previously developed the idea for this work when he participated in the Indonesia Young Fashion Designer Competition. Furthermore, Dharajatya shared his creative process of collecting fabric waste. He conducted design exploration and stitched together abstract-sized fabric pieces, as the material was made up of leftover fabric scraps.
Significantly, the “Re.uni(que)” exhibition makes indirect contributions to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by acting as a learning and knowledge-exchange platform in visual arts for all attendees. The artworks featuring plastic upcycling and the fashion installation from textile waste directly exemplify SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Finally, the very realization of the exhibition, through the robust collaboration among UGM’s PSPSR lecturers, alumni, and students, underscores SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting the power of collective effort. (IP)
