The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMIPA UGM), officially inaugurated the Science, Data, and Art Exhibition titled “Data Art: Indonesia, Life Behind Data” on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, as part of FMIPA UGM’s 14th lustrum celebrations. Held at Jogja Gallery, the exhibition not only showcases a variety of artworks but also features a talk show exploring collaborations between the visual arts and the sciences.
The exhibition will run from the inaugural day until Aug. 30, 2025, featuring more than 40 cross-disciplinary pieces that blend art, science, and data to highlight various issues affecting Indonesia.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, attended the event and delivered a speech reflecting her enthusiasm for the exhibition.
She shared that her personal curiosity about the integration of science and art drew her to the event.
“I am here because I was curious how FMIPA is hosting an art exhibition, that’s why I came,” she explained during her remarks.
Wishnutama Kusubandio, representing Indonesia’s creative industry, emphasized that the art exhibition symbolizes a shift in our era.
“This exhibition holds strategic meaning for Indonesia’s creative economy ecosystem. It broadens horizons by showing that data is not just the domain of technocrats or academics, but fuel for creativity,” he stated.
Dr. Michael Hoch, a scientist and artist from the University of Technology Vienna and CERN, underscored that the exhibition demonstrates science as inherently creative.
“Science is a creative subject, and the artist is serious knowledge within this field, not merely about making something look good. Here, I’d like to showcase something we’ve begun to create collaboratively,” he shared during the talk show.
Daniel Oscar Baskoro, Chair of FMIPA UGM Alumni Family (Kamipagama), hoped visitors would perceive the works not just as exhibits but as social awareness tools.
“And here, it’s said not only to display works, but also to include an educational element,” he said during the exhibition opening.
The exhibition, born from collaboration among students, lecturers, and alumni, left a distinct impression on visitors.
One attendee, Dhea, expressed her interest in the event due to the diversity of elements presented.
“This truly feels like an FMIPA exhibition to me. And if asked which one impressed me most, it would be the AI Avatar Interactive,” she remarked.
Author: Salwa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna