Yogyakarta, June 16, 2025 – The Graduate Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a sharing session with visual artist Natasha Tontey. This event comprised a segment of the Visual Arts, Design, and Media Arts Studies course, which Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari S., Ant., M.Hum., teaches. The activity took place on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB, in Room 407 of the UGM Graduate Building.

Under the theme “World-Building through Peculiar Pleasures: Kitsch, Autophagia, and Ancestral Ghost,” Natasha Tontey invited participants to delve into her artistic practice. This practice roots itself in the imagination of alternative worlds, collective trauma, and marginalized cultural experiences. She explained that the concept of world-building in her work does not merely involve creating narrative worlds, but rather a complex symbolic and spiritual world with a system of meaning derived from local roots. read more

On Monday, June 2, 2025, the Doctoral Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR), Graduate School UGM organized a discussion held in Room 407 of the Graduate School building. This activity was part of a broader initiative to strengthen the academic atmosphere by promoting cross-cultural interaction and fostering international collaboration. The event featured Dr. Christopher J. Miller, a scholar and musician from Cornell University, United States, as the speaker. His interests and activities revolve around two points of focus: experimental music, and the music of Indonesia, especially Central Javanese gamelan. His presence brought an important international dimension to the development of scholarly discourse in the field of arts, particularly in music. read more

The Master’s Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies, Graduate School, held a Guest Lecture entitled “Glocalization and Cultural Identity” on Monday, May 26, 2025, from 13:00 to 15:00 WIB. The event took place in Room 407, 4th Floor of the Graduate School building and featured Prof. Dr. Ignatius Bambang Sugiharto, a distinguished scholar and cultural thinker in Indonesia.

Open to the public, the event received an enthusiastic response from participants, filling the venue to full capacity. In his opening remarks, Prof. Bambang expressed his appreciation for the active engagement of the attendees, which reflected a deep interest in the topic discussed. read more

The art performance “Performing Enchantment,” initiated by a collaboration between alumni and students of the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), successfully garnered widespread appreciation from the audience at the UGM Innovation and Creativity Arena (GIK). This event manifested Indonesia’s rich culture by presenting traditional to contemporary arrangements and inviting appreciation from diverse art enthusiasts, particularly the extended family of PSPSR UGM. read more

Syawalan Seni was a celebration of two milestones: the 34th anniversary of the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, and the 36 years of dedication by the beloved lecturer, G. R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang. Held over two days—8 and 9 May 2025—at GIK UGM, the event carried the theme “Performing Enchantment”, bringing together a diverse lineup of performers including Samba Sunda, the PSPSR Orchestra, and OM Jarang Pulang.

OM Jarang Pulang (OMJP) is a dangdut band formed by alumni and students of the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies program. The current ensemble features Michael H. B. Raditya (percussion), Ribeth Nurvijayanto (keys), Agus Umbu (keys), Hata Nugraha (bass), Thalita Nur Fadillah (drums), Anbie Haldini (tambourine), Yuki Raudhul Rizky (guitar), and vocalists Selin Rimesu and Ratna Wulan Sari. Since its formation in 2018, OMJP has become known for its vibrant mix of dangdut, koplo, and ambyar, and has released three original tracks: “Baper,” “Udarasa,” and “Sajerone Segara Sajembare Samudera.” read more

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Graduate Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted the PSPSR Alumni Gathering: Reconnecting Bonds, Sharing Aspirations.

Held at the 5th-floor Auditorium of the UGM Graduate School, the event was warmly attended by PSPSR students, lecturers, and alumni. The session featured contributions from Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum., Dr. Aris Setiawan, S.Sn., M.Sn., and Karen Hardini, M.A., with Heni Siswantari, M.A. serving as moderator. read more

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, a field study program was conducted by the Visual Arts, Design, and Media Arts Criticism course, mentored by Dr. Suwarno Wisetrotomo. The activity took place at the Jogja Art+Books Festival 2025 (JABFEST), located at The Ratan, Jalan Ringroad Selatan No. 93, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul, Yogyakarta. This year, JABFEST adopted the theme “Kereta Api yang Berangkat Pagi Hari: 82 Tahun Kuntowijoyo” (The Train Departing in the Morning: 82 Years of Kuntowijoyo). The festival featured various programs, including art exhibitions, book discussions, artist talks, a book bazaar, and other related events. read more

The opening of the Re.uni(que): Weaving Charms, Knitting Encounters exhibition and Syawalan Seni on Thursday, 8 May 2025, at the UGM Graduate School Building, highlighted the active role of students from the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies Program (PSPSR), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This event was part of the 34th anniversary of PSPSR and the commemoration of Dr. Gabriel Roosmargo Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A.’s 36 years of academic dedication.

PSPSR students from both master’s and doctoral levels were intensively involved in the preparation and execution of the event. In the week leading up to the opening, students worked together as committee members, taking responsibility for exhibition layout, artwork installation, logistics, guest management, and documentation. This collaboration strengthened student solidarity and provided valuable experience in art event management. read more

The Performing Enchantment event on May 9, 2025, at Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM was not only a showcase of artistic excellence, but also a night filled with deep emotional resonance for the audience.

From the opening Reog Ponorogo performance, the audience was immediately captivated. Cheers and applause filled the hall as dynamic movements and spirited music set the tone for the evening.  

“The energy was contagious. I was drawn into the atmosphere from the very beginning,” said Febry Anugerah, one of the audience members. read more

The Performing Enchantment event on May 9, 2025, at Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM became a vibrant stage for celebrating Indonesia’s cultural diversity. an event held by the Graduate Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) UGM, the event showcased the rich traditions of various regions, uniting different identities in a night full of harmony.

From the outset, the audience was greeted by the grandeur of Reog Ponorogo, an energetic cultural icon from East Java. The atmosphere then shifted to a solemn mood during the Batak thanksgiving ritual, Manjalo Tuani Gondang, performed meaningfully by Dr. Lono Simatupang and his family. This Batak tradition, rich in family values and gratitude, demonstrated how performing arts can bridge cultures. read more