Until this year, Artspiration has run 12 times. The event, held at Selasar Barat Fisipol, features a variety of performances, including music, dance, and visual art exhibitions. Each performance is carefully crafted to create a dynamic dialogue around issues of discrimination and inequality faced by people with disabilities and other marginalised communities.
Artspiration 2024 carries a theme entitled “Voice Of The People”, which means the people’s voice, especially for marginalised communities. According to Akbar Bayu Laksono, the theme aligns with the Department of Politics and Government’s goal of humanising politics.
“This inspires us to raise aspects that the people around us rarely see. Politics, which is usually seen as a race for power or individual power in general, is only about government, we humanise it,” Akbar said in an interview after the event.
The event is designed to create a space where the struggles of marginalised groups can be expressed and celebrated through various art mediums. KOMAP Fisipol UGM believes that art is a powerful tool for advocacy and change, allowing individuals to communicate their experiences and challenges in a way acceptable to others. One of the main highlights of Artspiration 2024 is Panggoeng Rakjat, an art gallery with works from various artists. Inclusivity and group representation can be displayed equally in the art space by showcasing the talents of artists from diverse backgrounds.
In the art gallery, Artspiration showcased installations titled “Kasur Nyaman Arsyad” and “Garing Si Pohon Mati”, which depict the environment of marginalised friends they must accept due to a lack of encouragement from society and the government. The exhibition addresses three main issues: the environment, women and children, and culture. As such, the exhibition aims to voice the inequalities that marginalised groups often face in various contexts.
Artspiration 2024 seeks to promote inclusivity and encourage a wider appreciation of diverse artistic expressions by providing a platform for these artists. Furthermore, Artspiration 2024 is not just an event but a movement that emphasises action to speak out against injustice and manifests Sustainable Development Goal 10 of Reduced Inequalities. The event hopes to inspire change and promote a more inclusive society by using art as a medium of expression.