Yogyakarta, May 4, 2026 — The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, through the Faculty of Media Arts (FSMR), is once again presenting a space for the appreciation and study of photography through PROMISE #5, a black-and-white photography exhibition taking place May 7–10, 2026, at the Pandeng Gallery on the first and second floors of the FSMR ISI Yogyakarta Photo Building.
The exhibition will officially open with an Opening Ceremony on May 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. WIB. By showcasing the visual power of black-and-white photography, PROMISE #5 provides a space for the public to see how the medium of photography can convey stories, atmospheres, emotions, and powerful artistic interpretations through the interplay of light, shadow, composition, and monochromatic visual elements.
PROMISE #5 is not only a photography exhibition but is also designed as a program that brings together art appreciation, creative practice, and hands-on learning experiences. The series of events includes a photography exhibition, photo shoots and workshops by Koppi, FTV screenings, traditional photography, and black-and-white printing.
Through this format, visitors are not only invited to enjoy the finished artwork but also to understand the creative process behind it. This activity opens up a broader range of experiences regarding how photography is constructed, practiced, curated, and presented as a medium of artistic expression.
This exhibition is curated by Novan Jemmi Andrea, M.Sn., and Achmad Oddy Widyantoro, M.Sn. The curators’ involvement in PROMISE #5 plays a crucial role in interpreting, organizing, and presenting the black-and-white photographic works to ensure they possess a strong visual narrative that is relevant to the evolution of contemporary photographic practice.
For ISI Yogyakarta, hosting PROMISE #5 reinforces the campus’s position as an arts university that continues to develop an ecosystem for the creation, education, and publication of artistic works. Through FSMR, particularly in the field of photography, ISI Yogyakarta continues to provide a space for students, faculty, communities, and the public to come together in a productive creative environment.
The black and white photographs in this exhibition are not merely an aesthetic choice, but a visual language possessing a distinctive expressive power. The limitation of color, in fact, opens up possibilities for a deeper interpretation of form, texture, expression, space, and moments. In the context of art education, this practice is important because it trains visual sensitivity while also reinforcing the understanding of photographic fundamentals.
PROMISE #5 is also part of ISI Yogyakarta’s efforts to foster an academic tradition closely tied to artistic practice. Exhibitions, workshops, screenings, and black-and-white printmaking serve as forms of learning that extend beyond the classroom, taking place in public spaces as both aesthetic and educational experiences.
With the successful hosting of PROMISE #5, the FSMR at ISI Yogyakarta has once again demonstrated its role as a vital hub for the development of media arts in Indonesia. This event is expected to broaden public appreciation for photography while strengthening ISI Yogyakarta’s reputation as an active, creative arts institution that makes a significant impact on the development of visual arts.
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