Malanginspirasi.com – For today’s young generation in Malang, the name Indrokilo may sound unfamiliar, but for artists who were active in the 1970s and 1980s, it was the beating heart of creativity in the city.
Bambang Sarasno, founder of the newly re-established Yayasan Seni Budaya Indrokilo (Indrokilo Arts and Culture Foundation), recalls how it all began on a piece of empty former swampland in the Indrokilo area.
“Indrokilo was just an open, swampy plot of land. That’s where we set up the Lembaga Kesenian Indrokilo (LKI),” he remembers.
From that simple space, an open and inclusive art community was born.
A Space for Creative Freedom
In its early years, LKI became a place where artists from all disciplines gathered to learn, experiment, and exchange ideas.
“Here, all kinds of artists came together to share experiences and ideas,” Sarasno said.
The idea of forming a foundation had already been conceived as early as 1974. LKI thrived until 1989, hosting groundbreaking experiments in visual arts (dress painting, batik fashion shows, outdoor painting competitions in Indrokilo Park), music rehearsals that gave birth to chamber orchestras and contemporary ensembles, and bold performing arts events that fused theater, dance, sound, and technology from the 1980s onward.
Events such as MultiMedia and METAMORPHOSA showcased Indrokilo’s fearless spirit of innovation.
“Back then it was truly cross-disciplinary. Everyone could gather freely – visual artists, musicians, performers – and mix together to broaden their perspectives,” Sarasno explains.
The Long Silence and the 2024 Revival
After lying dormant for decades, Indrokilo experienced an unexpected rebirth in 2024.
While living in Jakarta, Sarasno posted a simple social media status: “Finally I can retire. I want to return to my habitat.”
To his surprise, former LKI members immediately reached out – through direct messages and phone calls. A casual reunion in Malang quickly turned into something bigger.
“From that small nostalgic gathering, the desire to give back to the city resurfaced,” he recalled.
That desire led to the official establishment of Yayasan Seni Budaya Indrokilo (SBI). Though its founders are no longer young, their passion remains unchanged: to create an inclusive artistic space once again.
“We’re all old now, our steps aren’t as fast as before. That’s why we decided to re-establish the Yayasan Seni Budaya Indrokilo,” Sarasno said with a smile.
Since its revival, the foundation has been active in organizing cultural workshops, batik classes, traditional dance sessions, discussions, and community-based social and educational programs.
Bridging the Gap
Sarasno observes that today’s art scene in Malang has become more segmented, with artists from different disciplines rarely interacting.
“I see everything has gone back to being segmented – each art field only mixes within its own circle,” he noted regretfully.
He also laments the absence of formal art schools in a city long celebrated for its artistic heritage.
“It’s a shame that a city known for art like Malang still has no dedicated art school. Many things I see are actually counterproductive,” he added.
Despite these challenges, Sarasno’s hope remains strong. He dreams of seeing Malang’s artistic ecosystem become open once again – collaborative, supportive, and free from prejudice.
“All disciplines complement and contribute to one another. This foundation aims to be the bridge that reconnects artists, government, businesses, and the wider community,” he concluded.
