Reading Bromo Beyond Just a Landscape: Delving into Semiotic Traces in the “BROMOPEDIA” Art Talk

For millions of pairs of eyes that visit every year, Bromo is often simply defined: a vast sea of sand, the ridge of a crater puffing light smoke, and the charm of the sunrise on the eastern horizon of the Tengger mountains. However, beneath this magnificent visual appeal, Bromo holds a much deeper narrative structure—a space where local mythology, collective memory, ecology, and social dynamics interact to form a living identity.

This awareness of a landscape that “speaks” is the foundation for the fine art exhibition “BROMOPEDIA: A Landscape of Signs”. As an inseparable part of the BRI Jazz Gunung Bromo 2026 event, this exhibition—a collaboration with the Postgraduate Program of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta—seeks to shift our perspective on Bromo: no longer just a tourist object to be enjoyed, but a cultural text to be read and interpreted.

Through careful curation, the Bromopedia exhibition presents visual art pieces that engage in a direct dialogue with Tengger cultural elements. Symbols such as Kuda Lumping, local fabric motifs, traditional rituals, and volcanic landscapes are translated by artists into various mediums, ranging from paintings and sculptures to installations.

 

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This exhibition stems from the semiotic idea—that every corner of Bromo is a sign. How local communities interpret the land and wind, how travelers bring home visual memories, and how artists record this cultural space are all woven together into a single visual encyclopedia.

However, the gallery space and the arrangement of works certainly cannot stand alone without open dialogue. Why do artists choose certain motifs? How does the Bromo landscape shape the artistic sensitivity of its creators?

Discussion Space: Unpacking Ideas in “Art Talk BROMOPEDIA”

To deeply dissect the layers of meaning behind this exhibition, a special talk session titled Art Talk: BROMOPEDIA – A Landscape of Signs is held at Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo.

This in-depth discussion features a lineup of cross-disciplinary speakers who hold key roles in the national art and cultural map:

1. Dr. Mikke Susanto, M.A. (Bromopedia Exhibition Curator) — Will thoroughly examine the curatorial framework, read the interconnectivity between works, and explain how the Bromopedia idea was structured as a visual document of the Tengger landscape.

2. Dr. Sigit Pramono, SE., MBA. (Cultural Patron & Founder of Jazz Gunung Bromo) — Shares perspectives on the importance of integrating visual art, music, and cultural conservation within a sustainable local ecosystem.

3. Ahmad Toriq & Yoes Wibowo (Bromopedia Artists) — Share their creative processes, aesthetic struggles, and personal reflections when transforming empirical experiences in Bromo into works of art.

4. Putri Maharani (Moderator) — Guides the flow of the discussion to keep it warm, flowing, and interactive.

This Art Talk is not designed exclusively for academics or art observers alone, but is widely open to anyone who yearns for a deep interaction with nature and culture. Whether you are an art enthusiast, cultural traveler, student, or general public member, this forum offers a fresh perspective on enjoying Bromo.

For those of you who have the opportunity to attend in person, the warmth of the discussion in the amphitheater and the cool, signature air of Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo promise a memorable and intimate experience. Meanwhile, for audiences outside the city, this session can be followed virtually.

Event Details:

• Day / Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026

• Time: 09:30 AM Western Indonesia Time – finish

• Format: Hybrid

  • Offline: Art Gallery / Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo, Sukapura, Probolinggo

  • Online: Instagram Live via @Galeri.Senetra

• Investment: FREE (Open to the Public)

Due to the limited capacity of the offline area at Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo to maintain the quality and comfort of the discussion, prospective participants are encouraged to register in advance.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this art and cultural dialogue. Register yourself now through the official link at  jiwajawa.com/arttalkbromopedia

Information & Contact Person:

Aisyah — 0877-5115-4804

Step further than just being a scenery enthusiast. Let us read and celebrate Bromo together with us at Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo.