Yogyakarta, 23 October 2026 — The Arts and Beyond Symposium: Ecosystem on Artivism, held by Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies, Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), featured Agung Kurniawan and Dr. Luh Gede Saraswati Putri (Saras Dewi) as keynote speakers. Both presentations explored art beyond aesthetic expression, emphasising its relationship with collective memory, embodied experience, social justice, and the sustainability of shared spaces.

In his presentation, “Seni Aktivisme; Uji Cobanya dalam Ekosistem nan Labil dan Tak Pernah Selesai” (translate: Art Activism: Experimenting within an Unstable and Never-Ending Ecosystem), Agung Kurniawan reflected on art’s role in confronting historical amnesia, particularly surrounding the events of 1965. His artistic collaborations with survivors, including the Anggrek Plantungan project and the album Dunia Milik Kita, demonstrated how artistic practices can reactivate memory through everyday materials and experiences. Photographs, songs, gestures, shoes, and used clothing become forms of archives that expand how history can be encountered. Agung also highlighted artistic self-criticism, audience awareness, and public participation as essential considerations in preventing activism from becoming a mere representation of suffering. read more

Yogyakarta, 23 October 2026 — The Master’s and Doctoral Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Graduate School hosted the second session of the Arts and Beyond Symposium: Ecosystem on Artivism. The session featured three research presentations exploring how artistic practices contribute to cultural preservation, collective sustainability, and the articulation of territorial identity.

Nícolas Anderson Sobreira Tavares, a doctoral student in UGM’s Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies program, presented Mutrani Foto Fobali: Preserving Yogyakarta-Style Wayang Topeng through the Family Album of Ki Supono Wiguno. Based on ethnographic research at Sanggar Ki Supono Wiguno, the presentation examined how family photographs function as sources of artistic knowledge. Historical mask images are reactivated through contemporary making, demonstrating that cultural preservation depends on artisans’ embodied knowledge and ongoing practice, rather than the storage of artefacts alone. read more

Yogyakarta, 23 October 2026 – The Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada hosted the Arts and Beyond Symposium: Ecosystem on Artivism as part of the Leaders Summit Pascasarjana #3 series. Held at the 5th Floor Auditorium of the UGM Graduate School Building, the event was structured around two main discussion sessions to dissect the intersections between artistic practice, political activism, and the resilience of contemporary cultural ecosystems. read more

Yogyakarta, 12 October 2026 – The ‘Cerita Pala’ team—comprising Ramdani Rachmat, S.Sn., M.A., Agim Gunawan, S.Sn., M.A., Topan Bagus Permadi, S.Sn., M.A., and Indrananda Hermawan—successfully organized a seminar on culture and research dissemination titled “Memori, Seni Pertunjukan, dan Tradisi Lisan-Membaca Kembali Warisan Budaya Masyarakat Wandan”, (translate: Memory, Performing Arts, and Oral Tradition: Re-examining the Cultural Heritage of the Wandan People). The event took place in the Auditorium on the 5th floor of the Graduate School Building at Universitas Gadjah Mada with the full support of the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies Program, Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada. read more

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. read more

Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) organized an inspiring dialogue titled “Beyond the Wall of Self” on Friday, May 9, 2025. This event commemorated 36 years of Lono Simatupang’s academic journey and 34 years of PSPSR UGM’s contributions. The dialogue provided a platform for reflection on meaningful interactions and relationships with Dr. Lono Simatupang, particularly within academic and creative contexts. Lecturers, alumni from various generations, and students of PSPSR UGM attended the event. This activity served as a space to reflect on PSPSR’s role as an educational institution shaping individuals and fostering the creation of significant works. The Dean of the UGM Graduate School, Prof. Ir. Siti Malkhamah, M.Sc., Ph.D., highlighted PSPSR’s role in producing alumni as a key indicator of success. She emphasized that the multidisciplinary approach forms PSPSR’s core strength, broadly impacting society. read more

UGM Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies Study Program in collaboration with Jogja Disability Art (Indonesia) and DaDa Fest (United Kingdom), two organizations working in the area of disability arts, held a Mini Seminar entitled Creating Meaning and Empowering Possibilities in Disability Arts Practice: A Reflection From Dada Fest (UK) and Jogja Disability Arts (Indonesia). This seminar was held on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00 on 5th floor of the postgraduate school building UGM, guided by A. Sudjud Dartanto as moderator. read more

The Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies Program in collaboration with the Department of Culture (Kundha Kabudayan) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia held the International Panji Seminar, Tuesday (12/10) at the UGM Postgraduate School Auditorium.

The Panji International Seminar on this occasion presented speakers from various countries who discussed the cultural dynamics surrounding the Panji story in Southeast Asia. The resource person presented in this seminar was Dr. Lydia Kieven (Germany), Dr. Thaneerat Jatuthasri (Thailand), Dr. G.R. Lono L. Simatupang, M.A. (Indonesia), Dr. Soo Pong Chua (Singapore), Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. (Indonesia), and Mrs. Ei Ei Thant (Myanmar). read more

Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies together with the Jogja Disability Arts Foundation held an International Seminar on Disability Arts: Creativity, Agency, Connectivity, Wednesday (11/8) at the UGM Postgraduate School Auditorium. This event was held as one of a series of Jogja International Disability Arts Binealle 2023 events. This seminar discussed the importance of discussing disability arts in its complex intersection with creative practices, empowerment actions and collaborative initiatives. read more

Jim Supangkat is a prominent art curator in Indonesia, as well as a witness to the history of Indonesian modern art. The relay momentum in Jim Supangkat’s thoughts is presented in the summary of the book he has compiled entitled “Satu Abad Gagal Paham” which is also the subject of a seminar organized by Buku Seni Rupa in collaboration with PSPSR in the Auditorium Room, 5th Floor, Faculty of Postgraduate School, UGM, Wednesday (10/5).

The event began with a discussion on the context of “Satu Abad Gagal Paham”, which was born from Jim Supangkat’s long contemplation after evaluating his experience in conversing with various art figures from around the world. The initial discussion was opened with a discussion of art myths that distort the understanding of western and eastern society, thus creating a misunderstanding in Indonesia. Furthermore, Jim also invites the audience and readers of his book to review artistic ideas in art events and review various artistic expressions in various parts of the world. From there, according to Jim, we will realize that there is an art discipline that influences art work practices, as well as an understanding of art itself that has been constructed through art history. read more