UNS — Diploma Program (D-3) Visual Communication Design (DKV) Vocational School (SV) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta faculty member, Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., disseminate his finding on Rama’s journey in Ramayana relief at Prambanan Temple. Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., disseminated his finding in the National Seminar of Animation Week held by Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta with “Animation for Humanity” theme on Wednesday (18/8/2021).
His presentation was focused on the relief shapes and the translation of each panel, the storyline in each scene, and key characters. He mentioned that there had been studies that discuss the relief. “But more studies on an object means that the object is interesting. The increasing new findings mean that there is a uniqueness and new knowledge for us,” he said.
His study aims to examine the staging of Ramayana relief at Shiva and Brahma Temples in the Prambanan Temple complex. Prambanan Temple complex is selected because it has narrative reliefs that facilitate staging study. Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., explained that the study had started before the pandemic started, and his observation found 76 scenes at Shiva and Brahma temples with a diverse condition which opens the probability of identification mistake due to the diverse symbolism.
“From all of the reliefs, I found 76 scenes, not panels. One long panel could include several scenes,” he explained.
The scenes identification was conducted through three methods. First, Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., collected literatures from Walmiki and Kakawin. Second, the literature checks in terms of visual language and semiotics, and third, in-depth interview with the archaeologist. Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., study expanded its discussion to determine the characters and did not stop at the narration of the story, which aims to provide clearer scenes and facilitate animation concept.
In this study, Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., also conducted staging using Hero’s Journey concept developed by Prof. M. Suryanto, which is separated into 13 stages. He adjusted Ramayana’s storyline into the Hero’s Journey concept. At the end of his presentation, Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., hoped that the culture could continue to be developed in line with the growth of civilization. Animation media as a new media is considered as an appropriate means to explore Indonesian cultures to be enjoyed by the younger generation.
The final outcomes of this study can be used as a basis for Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn., to explore in-depth and adopt it into animation. Strong fundamentals could ease the following stages.
“These scenes are for the basis when I produce my animation. Thus, I have a strong basis in determining characters, designs, and stories,” Alfan Setiawan, M.Sn stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
