The kris, recognized as an important part of the nation's cultural heritage by the international community, was proudly showcased by Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) students from Surakarta in Central Java at the institute's sixth Indonesian Art Festival.
The kris (dagger) exhibition was organized by the Cooperating Body of Indonesian Art Institute (Bks-ptsi). Held in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, between Oct. 6 and 8, the festival will run until Oct. 24 and will feature a series of exhibitions including a poster and contemporary art show.
"The dagger kris is a significant part of Indonesia's cultural heritage," ISI Surakarta second-year student Faizar Zulfi said. "And I think it's important we help preserve it."
In addition, he said he joined the institute's kris student club at his campus because he has always been interested in the philosophy behind kris.
"Our teachers taught us how to make the kris, its meaning, and about the rituals that use it," he said while explaining the difference between the straight- and curved-shaped kris.
Faizar and five other students are a part of ISI Surakarta's kris club, accompanied by lecturers and professional kris makers.
As well as displaying their collection during the event, the club members also demonstrated how to make kris.
Besides ISI Surakarta, six other arts institutes took part in the festival that incorporated the theme, "Exploring Root of Identity".
The schools included the Indonesian Arts Institute in Yogyakarta, the Indonesian Arts Institute in Denpasar, the Indonesian Arts Institute in Bandung, the Jakarta Institute for the Arts, the Institute of Indonesian Art in Padang Panjang, and the Wilwatikta Art Institute in Surabaya.
"It's great to see students' works of art and ideas on display," said festival attendant Rasuardie. "But I most liked the kris exhibition.
"It's nice to know that besides the mysterious element associated with it, there's a lot to learn about this art form."
The chairman of the festival, Wagiono Sunarto, said the festival had become more complex and comprehensive this year as it not only incorporated art forms and collections, which had been showcased in previous years, but created new ones.
Wagiono said that a few weeks before the festival began, the school held workshops, along with international institutions such as the California Institute of Arts and the Taipei National University of the Arts, developing new art forms.
The workshops researched contemporary dance history, music combining traditional and modern musical instruments, animation and pantomime music.
Students then developed performances based on their research and showcased them during the festival's opening. Other performances included a gamelan concert, orchestra and theater, as well as dance.
"Students' interest in the arts is increasing," Wagiono said. "Art is about the union of cultures.
"But in the creative industry it can also be classified as *applied arts'."
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