The UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM) hosted GIK CORNER on Sunday (Mar. 9) in celebration of National Music Day.
As part of the event series, DialoGIK featured two interactive discussion sessions exploring the dynamics of the music industry.
The first session, “Behind the Music Merchandise Book,” featured Arsita Pinandita, author of a book on music merchandise. Pinandita discussed the role of visual design in band merchandise, such as T-shirts, in shaping a musician’s identity.
“Merchandise is not just a product but a visual representation of the musician’s identity,” Arsita Pinandita remarked.
The second session, “The Power of Sustainability in Creative Collectives,” reviewed strategies employed by creative collectives to maintain sustainability within the music industry.
This session’s speakers included Farid Stevy (Music Merch Fest, LIBStore), Arsita Pinandita (Music Merch Fest, Cherry Pop), and Oki Rad (a lecturer at UGM, Board of the Journal of Youth Studies UK).
Together, they explored how collaboration and innovation can drive the music industry toward a more sustainable future.
“Creativity and synergy among industry players are key to maintaining relevance and fostering the growth of Indonesia’s music ecosystem,” said Oki Rad.
In addition to the talk shows, the celebration of Indonesian Music Day featured musical performances from various musicians representing Yogyakarta’s diverse music scene, including the Gama Band from UGM’s Student Activity Unit, Unen-Unen, and Fis Duo.
Moreover, visitors to UGM Shop could also watch the screening of the documentary Rekam Skena, which showcases works such as “Tuhan, Masukkan Aku Ke Dalam Skena” and “Tidak Ada Party di Kabupaten Ini.”
This event not only celebrated music but also provided an opportunity to delve into the journey of the independent music scene in Yogyakarta.
Additionally, GIK CORNER collaborated with the creative activities section of UGM Shop to organize a mini-exhibition displaying a collection of musical instruments from Diana Musik, one of Yogyakarta’s legendary music stores that has supported the music ecosystem since 1982.
This exhibition showcased various instruments and technical equipment, allowing visitors to learn more about the local music industry’s journey and interact directly with iconic instruments.
With the launch of GIK CORNER to celebrate National Music Day 2025, GIK UGM has further established itself as a center of creativity and innovation.
As a creative product hub, UGM Shop, part of GIK UGM, is more than just a physical space; it is an ecosystem where fresh ideas can be born and thrive.
Here, creative communities from various backgrounds can collaborate, share inspiration, and explore new opportunities in an inclusive and dynamic atmosphere.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographs: GIK Documentation