Yogyakarta, 13 July 2026 – The Doctoral Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully hosted a Visiting Professor Lecture on Monday, July 13, 2026. Addressing the topic “Wayang as Heritage: From Performing Art to Object of Contemplation and Immersive Experience”, the public lecture featured a prominent wayang expert from the University of Connecticut, Prof. Matthew Isaac Cohen, Ph.D., as the keynote speaker.
The event, hosted by Indra Bulan, a doctoral student of PSPSR UGM serving as the Master of Ceremonies (MC), was open to the public and conducted in a hybrid format. Attendees gathered in person at Room 406, 4th Floor of the UGM Graduate School Building, while others joined virtually via the Zoom Meeting platform.
The public lecture was officially opened with welcoming remarks from the Head of the Doctoral Program in PSPSR UGM, Dr. Sri Margana, M.Hum., M.Phil. The event was also attended by key stakeholders from the arts and culture sector, including Daniel Haryono, a representative from the Ullen Sentalu Museum.
In his presentation, Prof. Matthew Isaac Cohen unpacked the transformation of wayang and how its values have shifted from being a performance event (object of action) into collectible items (object of contemplation; admired from a distance), and ultimately serving as a source of creative inspiration for contemporary creators. The high enthusiasm of the participants, consisting of lecturers, general public, and students, was evident during the Q&A session. The discussion was highly interactive, bringing forward various critical perspectives regarding the preservation of wayang.
This Visiting Professor Lecture represents UGM’s tangible commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Providing access to international-standard learning by inviting global experts to broaden the academic horizons of both students and the general public.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural heritage, specifically wayang.
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Strengthening global and local academic partnership networks through an interactive scholarly discussion forum. (NA)
