Yogyakarta, October 2025 - The Postgraduate Program of Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta has again strengthened international academic networks through the organization of ICAPAS 2025 (International Conference for Asia Pacific Arts Studies).) and Cultural Dialogue program with Bremen University of the Arts, Germany. This activity is an important milestone in ISI Yogyakarta's internationalization efforts and strengthens the institution's bargaining position as an arts college in Indonesia.
This year, ICAPAS entered its 13th edition with the theme of "Re-thinking Artistic Research: New Paradigms, Practices, and Potentials." This theme is an invitation for academics, researchers, and artists to revisit the practice of artistic research in the context of the changing paradigm of contemporary art.
The conference took place on October 8-9, 2025 at the ISI Yogyakarta Postgraduate Campus with keynote speakers from four countries:
- Prof. Annette Geiger (Bremen University of the Arts, Germany)
- Dr. Budi Irawanto (Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia)
- Dominique Lammli (Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland)
- Dr. Gomesh Karnchapayap (Silpakorn University, Thailand)
The presence of academic figures from across the globe enriched the global dialog on the new direction of art practice-based research.
Global Collaboration through Cultural Dialogue
As part of ICAPAS 2025, the Postgraduate Program of ISI Yogyakarta and Bremen University of the Arts initiated the Cultural Dialogue program, which became a meeting place for cross-cultural artistic research.
The program was implemented in two phases:
- June 14-30, 2025ten ISI Yogyakarta doctoral students made an academic visit to Bremen, Germany.
- September 27-October 12, 2025Bremen's lecturers and doctoral students paid a return visit to Yogyakarta.
While at ISI Yogyakarta, the Bremen participants held interdisciplinary and cross-cultural workshops with ISI Yogyakarta Postgraduate students. The results of their artistic exploration were then presented as part of the ICAPAS 2025 exhibition, marking a concrete form of artistic knowledge exchange between the two institutions.
ICAPAS: Asia-Pacific Regional Arts Academic Reference
Since it was first organized, ICAPAS has become an important forum for scientific communication in the field of art in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to being an academic discussion forum, ICAPAS also played a role in the formation of the Society for Artistic Research (SAR) branch in the Asia-Pacific region - an achievement that emphasizes ISI Yogyakarta's commitment to the development of art practice-based research.
This year, ICAPAS again received a wide response from international participants who came from Germany, Switzerland, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. A parallel room format was implemented to accommodate the increasing number of presentations and discussions from various art disciplines.
With the spirit of collaboration and support from various parties, ICAPAS 2025 can be carried out successfully. "We are grateful that this activity can still run with a collaborative spirit and provide space for global artistic dialogue," said the ICAPAS 2025 Committee representative in his official statement.
Looking to the Future of Artistic Research
Through the big theme of "Re-thinking Artistic Research", ICAPAS 2025 is expected to be a momentum for academics and art practitioners to affirm a new paradigm of artistic research based on cultural diversity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and innovation in art practice.
With the spirit of openness and global collaboration, ICAPAS 2025 not only strengthens ISI Yogyakarta's position as a reference center for art education and research in the Asia-Pacific, but also affirms its role in building cultural and knowledge bridges between the academic world and international art practice.
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