Semarang – As technology rapidly advances, artists now have a new platform to showcase their work virtually. Through an innovative feature called the Virtual Gallery, or "Gaya" for short, recently launched on the Tan Art Space website (tanartspace.com), painters can now access digital exhibitions free of charge.

This initiative was issued by the Computer Science, Science, In Art, and Culture (CSAC) Research Center at the Faculty of Computer Science, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus). Gaya aims to gather numerous painters, offering them a space to display their artwork digitally for free.

Dr. Ahmad Zainul Fanani, M.Kom., Vice Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at Udinus, explained that this program is an effort to preserve and promote culture amidst technological advancements. Currently, CSAC is focused on cultural issues, and one of its endeavors is to support artists through research and community service.

“We hope this collaboration will engage the government, industry, and community in preserving cultural values through technology,” he explained.

In an interview, Dr. Heribertus Himawan, M.Kom., Head of the CSAC Research Team at Udinus, added that the lack of physical exhibition space was the primary reason for the creation of Gaya.

In executing its programs, CSAC employs the Pentahelix model, involving five key sectors: academia (including Udinus scholars), government (specifically BPTIK Dikbud Jateng and Museum Jateng), industry (represented by Tan Art Space), community (involving Indonesian painters for this event), and media.

“We aim to help painters showcase their work without being constrained by physical space. With the Virtual Gallery, painters from various styles can freely exhibit their creations. Each artist can display their work for free, and if a transaction occurs, a fee will then be applied,” he elaborated.

The event organized by CSAC for Indonesian artists will take place from August 26 to September 6, 2024. Titled Traditional Modern, Harmony of Two Sensibilities, the event features dozens of academic speakers discussing the intersection of technology and art in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Dony Hendro Wibowo, owner of Tan Art Space, welcomed the collaboration enthusiastically. “With the Virtual Gallery, our dream of bringing fine art to the international market is becoming a reality. This website will elevate Tan Art Space and local artists onto the global stage,” he stated.

From the painters’ community, Goenarso, one of the artist representatives, expressed his appreciation for Udinus and Tan Art Space’s efforts to provide a platform for artists to remain productive in the digital age. “This is a great opportunity for us to gain more recognition and appreciation on the international stage. Technology is no longer a barrier, but a bridge for fine art,” he remarked.

The launch of the Virtual Gallery is expected to be a significant step in preserving and advancing culture through technology, offering broader access for artists to introduce their work to the world. (Udinus Public Relations/Alex. Photo: Udinus Public Relations)