On May 9, 2025, the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies Program (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a sarasehan themed “Beyond the Wall of Self,” where Dr. Gabriel Roosmargo Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A., reflected on his personal and professional journey, emphasizing the significance of growing together with others.
Unlike typical commemorations that focus on external tributes, Lono Simatupang deliberately chose “Beyond the Wall of Self” to highlight how his artistic and academic journey has always been shaped by encounters and collaborations. “I did not want others to merely talk about me, but rather, I wanted to share how I have grown because of and together with others,” he remarked during the event.
Lono’s journey began in his family and school environment, where he was introduced to the arts from an early age. His Batak heritage, upbringing in Java, and formative years in a predominantly Chinese school community in Yogyakarta exposed him to diverse cultural perspectives. These experiences, he explained, shaped his understanding of “the Other”-a concept central to his later academic focus in anthropology and performance studies.
Guided by his brother, Landung Simatupang, Lono entered the field of anthropology, which became the foundation for his exploration of art, culture, and performance. Throughout his career, Lono emphasized the importance of being present with students in the classroom, collaborating with research colleagues, and learning from the many people he encountered. “It is together with and because of these people that I have grown and developed in my work,” he said.
He concluded that his life’s journey-marked by cultural diversity, academic exploration, and meaningful relationships-has continually challenged him to move beyond the walls of his own self. This openness to difference, or “lian” in Javanese, has been the key to his growth as both an artist and a scholar.
The sarasehan “Beyond the Wall of Self” not only celebrated Lono Simatupang’s 36 years of dedication but also invited the PSPSR community to reflect on the value of openness, collaboration, and mutual growth. The event reinforced the importance of transcending personal boundaries to foster inclusive and sustainable cultural development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on quality education, reduced inequalities, and peace. (RJ)
