UNS – The Visual Communication Design (DKV) Department of the Faculty of Arts and Design (FSRD) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a general lecture titled “Iconography of Hindu-Buddhist & Muslim Culture as Inspiration in Miniature Illustration” on Monday (6/11/2023). The general lecture, which took place at the HB. Sutopo Building’s Hall, featured two speakers who are illustrators and Master’s students in Fine Arts at FSRD UNS. They are Alan Fajar Ma’aarij and Yoga Wahyudhi.
The event began with opening remarks by the Head of the DKV FSRD UNS, Dr. Jazuli Abdin Moenib, S.Sn., M.Hum. In his speech, Dr. Moenib welcomed the students and speakers. “Welcome, fellow students, Mr. Alan, and Mr. Yoga. This is a very good event for all of us, the General Lecture Series 2023. Today’s material is about illustration. Hopefully, you enjoy it, and we hope it can increase our knowledge and insights into illustration,” Dr. Moenib expressed.
Anugrah Irfan Ismail, S.Sn., M.Sn., the moderator for this general lecture, thanked Alan Fajar Ma’aarij and Yoga Wahyudhi for being willing to share their knowledge with the students in this general lecture at FSRD UNS. “I am very proud and thank Mr. Alan and Mr. Yoga for being willing to share their knowledge with the students here,” Irfan said.
The first presentation was delivered by Alan Fajar Ma’aarij. He presented on “Muslim Culture as Inspiration in Miniature Painting”. Alan explained that miniature paintings have several characteristics. “Characteristics of miniature paintings include portraying tiny characters, containing specific themes and stories, being rich in color, using decorative motifs, and presenting a mix of cultures,” Alan explained.
Alan also explained that there are three important aspects in a work: research or foundation so that the work can be accounted for; imagination or making the work come alive; and adab or limitations so that imagination is not too wild and the work does not touch on norms or sensitive issues related to ethnicity, religion, race, and social groups (SARA).
The event continued with the second presentation by Yoga Wahyudhi. He presented “Hindu-Buddhist Iconography in the Classical Period as Inspiration in Miniature Illustration”. Based on Yoga’s presentation, Hindu-Buddhist iconography is already well-known in Indonesia.
“The depiction of Hindu-Buddhist icons in various media has also become very popular, even with a more modern style. With archaeological and aesthetic knowledge of Hinduism, efforts to visualize everything related to divine nature become easier, thus recreating illustrations based on Hindu-Buddhist iconography in classical culture that can surpass the worldly nature based on Vedic traditions,” Yoga said.
Humas UNS
