Yogyakarta – Polanco S. Achri, a writer born in Yogyakarta and currently pursuing a master’s degree in literature at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, continues to make waves in the art scene. Known for his poetry, prose, and essays on performance and visual arts, Polanco also actively contributes as a scriptwriter and musician in the Utusan Negeri Dongeng community. He is the mind behind the management of Pendjadjaboekoe and a member of Sindikat Muda Liar Ngantukan. His achievements include curating exhibitions such as Soil Distortion #2 (2024) and Membaca Jokpin (2024), as well as directing documentary films Di Balik Merangkul (2021) and Sangu Rasa (2023).

Most recently, Polanco has taken on the role of curator for the Moda-Modif Exhibition, which runs from December 20, 2024, to January 11, 2025, at Rumah DAS Gallery, Condongcatur. Open to the public daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the exhibition invites visitors free of charge, with no prior registration required.

About Moda-Modif: Youthful Energy in Motion
The Moda-Modif Exhibition (Creativity in Visual Arts by Youth) embodies the ideas of Moda (movement) and Modif (modification). These concepts reflect the continuous exploration, learning, and innovation of young artists who push boundaries to create new narratives.

This exhibition serves as a stepping stone, offering young artists a bridge to larger platforms. Their art is a result of a journey that is both creative and reflective. Beyond a mere display of visual arts, Moda-Modif fosters interaction through activities such as Artist Talks, Curatorial Tours, Reading Space Activations, and collaborations with local communities. Every aspect of the exhibition is designed to bring art closer to the public.

Featuring works by 17 young artists over three weeks, the exhibition highlights not only the aesthetic aspects of their creations but also stories of transformation, adaptation, and the dynamic spirit of youth.

Polanco’s Aspirations
Polanco hopes that the Moda-Modif Exhibition will encourage young artists from Yogyakarta and Solo to continue evolving, taking bold steps, and finding creative strategies to thrive.

“This exhibition is not just about showcasing works; it’s about building courage and ingenuity in navigating the art world,” he remarked.

Through his role as curator, Polanco reaffirms his dedication to bridging artistic expression with broader societal engagement, ensuring that the voices of young creators are heard and appreciated.

Photo Source: Doc. DAS House

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), proudly congratulates two Linguistics students, Soniakurniawati and Safira Rizky Amanda GP, for successfully presenting their research at The 16th Asian Conference on Education (ACE 2024). This prestigious conference was organized by IAFOR and held from November 25 to 29, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.

Their research, titled “Implementation of Traditional Javanese Games for Early Childhood to Preserve the Javanese Language: A Quasi-Experimental Research,” highlights the importance of preserving the Javanese language by introducing traditional games to early childhood education. This innovative approach combines cultural heritage with effective language learning methods.

The conference was attended by academics, researchers, and education practitioners from around the globe, providing a strategic platform for both students to share ideas and expand their academic perspectives.

This achievement further emphasizes FIB UGM’s global contribution to education and cultural preservation. The dedication and success of Soniakurniawati and Safira Rizky Amanda GP serve as an inspiration for other students to strive for excellence and contribute at an international level.

Sandya Kirani, a student of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is a person who is known to excel in managing various events and organizations. Originally from Yogyakarta, Sandya is active in various Student Activity Units (UKM) as well as volunteering for a number of major events in the area.

As a part-time worker in the Public Relations Unit of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, Sandya has strategic roles, such as receiving domestic and international guest visits, managing the faculty’s social media, and becoming a website admin. This job enriches her skills in public relations.

In addition to her work in the world of work, Sandya also has long experience in the realm of organization. Currently, she serves as Vice Chairperson of the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit, where she is in charge of coordinating the organization’s internal activities and establishing relationships with Forkom Gelanggang Mahasiswa UGM. Sandya also plays an important role as Production Leader in the collaboration performance of UKM Sekber Seni at Gelanggang Expo 2024.

Her love for arts and culture has led her to great responsibilities. She has been the Chief Executive of the Traditional and Modern Dance Stages of Porsenigama 2023, Stage Manager of the Gelanggang Expo 2023 Sekber Seni Collaboration Performance, and Head of GMCO’s Creative Mini Concert Event Division. In addition, she was involved in major events such as the UGM Balinese Dance Festival 2023, the 73rd UGM Anniversary Art Performance, and Nitilaku 2024.

With a myriad of experiences, Sandya Kirani proves herself as a student who is not only academically active but also has a high commitment to the development of arts and culture. She believes that her involvement in these events is a real contribution to enrich the experience of the arts community at UGM and beyond.

Sandya is committed to continue working in the world of events and public relations in the hope of having a positive impact on the wider community, especially in the preservation of local arts and culture.

Yogyakarta, December 20, 2024 – The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Period IV Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) Ngargoyoso “Menuju Lawu” team was officially dispatched to the service locations in Kemuning Village and Berjo Village, Ngargoyoso District, Karanganyar Regency. The team will run the service program for 50 days.

Preparations for departure began early in the morning at 07.30 WIB at the UGM Fire Brigade Post. Students were seen busy loading equipment such as suitcases, backpacks, and other needs to support activities in the field. Before leaving, all team members underwent a final briefing to ensure coordination and readiness.

Among the team members, there are two students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, namely I Putu Adhimas Radiansyah Aryawan (Archaeology Study Program, class of 2022) and Khirana Marwadika (History Study Program, class of 2022). Their presence is expected to contribute to the optimization of village potential and community empowerment programs based on Smart Village and Eco Tourism in both villages.

The trip from Yogyakarta to Kemuning Village and Berjo Village took about 2.5 hours. Arriving at the location, the team immediately conducted a briefing and cleaned up to start the service. For the next 50 days, the KKN-PPM UGM team will try to help the local community in developing the village potential while creating a sustainable empowerment model.

With the spirit of togetherness, the team hopes that this program will not only provide tangible benefits to the people of Kemuning Village and Berjo Village but also become a valuable experience for UGM students in implementing the knowledge they have learned in college.

I Putu Adhimas Radiansyah Aryawan, a student of the Archaeology Study Program from Jakarta, is one of the inspiring young figures who excel at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Besides being active in the academic world, Radian also utilizes his time to work part-time at the Cooperation and Public Relations Unit of the Faculty.

Radian has qualified organizational experience, starting from his school days. He was the Chairperson of the Student Council in junior high school and Vice Chairperson of the Student Council in high school, as well as carrying out duties in the field of Public Relations at both levels. This experience honed his interpersonal and professional skills, especially in establishing relationships with various parties.

His interest in competitive debating has led Radian to become the President of the English Club of SMA Negeri 27 Jakarta, as well as representing his school in the National School Debating Championship (NSDC) at the City level. As a student, he joined Gadjah Mada Debating Society UGM, competing in various debate events, including being a semifinalist in Philo Day Debate.

In addition, Radian is also active in UGM Buddy Club, a community that assists international students at UGM. Through this activity, he gained cross-cultural experience and expanded his international network.

Interestingly, Radian’s interests are not limited to archaeology. He also ventured into the business world by participating in competitions such as the National Business Model Canvas (NVMC) Entrepreneurship Festival at Syiah Kuala University, where his team made it into the Top 10. He also joined 180 Degrees Consulting UGM to support non-profit foundations (NGOs) in finding impactful business solutions.

In 2024, Radian won 2nd place in the EGSA Essay Competition with the theme “Pentahelix Synergy in Realizing Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission 2060 Commitment.” This victory is a tangible manifestation of his contribution to the issue of sustainability (SDGs) which is also the focus of his interest.

With a diverse background, Radian shows that archaeology students can also excel in various fields. He aspires to build collective awareness on the importance of innovation and a sustainable environment, while continuing to develop his skills in Public Relations, which has been his main passion since childhood.

Radian is proof that with hard work, broad exploration of interests, and dedication, a student can make a real impact in multiple fields at once.