The Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board (PP) together with other partners held a series of "National Creativity Camp" programs in Batu City, East Java. The program, which took place at the Apel Sun Learning Center in Batu City, was opened by the Chairman of PP. Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. KH. Haedar Nashir, on July 19, 2024. In his speech, Haedar mentioned that with this program we are much more meaningful the beauty of our lives today.
"Culture, through art, gives character and value to our nation. For example, the history of the spread of Islam in the archipelago in a cultural, peaceful way, using art. Without war," he said in his speech.
In addition to the creativity camp which was attended by 30 participants from several provinces, an art exhibition titled "Sky Dance" was also held. A total of 50 paintings and 2 sculptures appeared in the art exhibition opened by the Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah in the field of Education, Culture and Sports, who is also a Professor of Mathematics Education at UNISMUH Makkasar, Prof. Dr. Irwan Akib, M.Pd.
The exhibition was held at Srengenge Art Space (Muhammadiyah Building) in Batu City, East Java from July 19-28, 2024. The opening night at 8pm was attended by around 350 visitors from several provinces in Indonesia. After the opening, within a few days the exhibition was visited by many students and the general public.
Prof. Dr. Irwan Akib, M.Pd., said that so far the Muhammadiyah organization has continued to drive art activities, including exhibitions. "This exhibition agenda can even be a seed to start initiating a school or art study program at Muhammadiyah universities, which so far does not exist. Therefore, this exhibition in Batu can be an example for other regional LSBs to mobilize community creativity," he said.
The exhibition was curated by ISI Yogyakarta lecturer Dr. Mikke Susanto, M.A. and initiated by Lembaga Seni Budaya (LSB) Muhammadiyah. Some of the participants are also alumni of ISI Yogyakarta. In this exhibition, each artist presents one work with various styles and techniques, from realistic, abstraction, tapestry, black and white drawing, to calligraphy. The ideas of the works also varied, from family life, society to responses about Muhammadiyah.
Exhibition participants included A. Rokhim, Aam Artbrow, Abdul Haris, Achmad Toriq, Agus Sujito, Akbar Mahadi, Akhmad Alfu R., Anwar, Badriy, Bambang Puyi, Barri, Chamil Hady, Chrysanti Anggie, Dadang Rukmana, Dedy Kukuh, Joeari Soebardja, Dyan Condro, Fadjar Junaedi, Fadjar Sutardi, Fahrur Rozi, Hadzrat M.M.. Zulfikar, Heri Wahyudi (Tarmun), Isa Ansory, Joko Pramono (Jokpram), Jumaldi Alfi, Kana Fuddy Prakoso.
In addition there are also painters such as Leni KM., M. Sobary, Muchis Arif, Medik, Muchlis Zahidy, N. Fitri, Nanang Yulianto, Noer Cholis, Nofi Sucipto, Raisa Hajar M., Rizqi Maulana, Romi Setiawan, S. Waeng, Salamun Kaulam, Sarwo Prasojo, Satuki, Sherlita Adita R., Sidik Ihwani, Sutan Gemilang, Sugeng Pribadi (Klemin), Supriono, Tamtama Anoraga, Tatang B.Sp, Toni Ja'far, Vidi Riyanto Avin, Watonisays, Winarno, Woro, and Yusfianto.
The "Tarian Langit" exhibition, according to Mikke Susanto, is not merely a matter of ideas or topics about what is in each of the participants' paintings. In a historical perspective, this exhibition wants to say about the rebirth of the existence of art institutions under the Muhammadiyah umbrella that had faded over the past few decades.
The curator considers this exhibition as a new attempt to reveal the identity of artists who share the same orientation as Muhammadiyah's cultural vision. The main hope of this exhibition is to keep putting the essence of life as a Muslim through art. A total of fifty artists from East Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Bali and Jakarta became entities as well as witnesses to the new dynamics of the present.
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