DENPASAR, mybalinews.com – The 2026 Kawan Nusantara Bali event, held to commemorate National Batik Day, carries the theme “EVOLUTION.”
The event, held by leading jewelry brand TULOLA in collaboration with PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA), seeks to invite the public to observe how cultural heritage continues to grow and find new forms.
“We believe that tradition is always alive because humans are constantly reinterpreting it. EVOLUTION is our way of seeing how ancestral traditions and values continue to find new forms without losing their soul,” said Founder & Creative Conceptor Happy Salma, Wednesday (October 7, 2026) at The Meru, Sanur.
Bali is the second city in this year’s Kawan Nusantara series, following the one held in Jakarta on July 23-24.
She stated that TULOLA has been collaborating with BCA for three years to popularize batik weaving and jewelry in an effort to achieve Indonesia’s glory. This month, The Meru coincidentally celebrates Batik Day, so everything is in line.
“This celebration features performing art in cross-disciplinary collaboration with art groups in Bali,” he said.
The theme “EVOLUTION” is represented by the journey of the subeng, a traditional Balinese ear ornament. This journey is translated into an artistic installation, where visitors can observe the changes in function, form, materials, and design approach of the subeng.
Sri Luce Rusna, Founder & Creative Designer of TULOLA, explained that “EVOLUTION” stems from research into the changing function of the subeng.
“In EVOLUTION, we want to show that tradition doesn’t stop at its original form,” she said.
The team chose the subeng to translate this journey of change into the design. It explores how the subeng moves from its spiritual context in the past to its contemporary form today.
The installation is then divided into four stages that represent the subeng’s journey: Offering, Expression, Value, and Transformation.
In the Offering stage, the subeng is presented in a spiritual context, represented through motifs inspired by the lotus-shaped architecture of traditional Balinese buildings.
In the Expression stage, subeng develops into a space of aesthetic expression, represented by lotus flower motifs combined with vines. In the Value stage, subeng enters the social and economic sphere, represented by basket and lily motifs. In the Transformation stage, subeng continues to change and adopt new forms to suit the times, represented by typographic elements that read “EVOLUTION.”
The subeng’s journey was also reflected in the opening performance, titled “Rangga Rasmi,” by the Widya Sani Studio at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (UNHI) Denpasar. The performers wore 12 selected batik fabrics from Sarinah to commemorate National Batik Day.
Hera F. Haryn, EVP of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility at BCA, stated that her company’s presence as a key supporter of Kawan Nusantara demonstrates BCA’s commitment to introducing the works of Bakti BCA entrepreneurs to the wider community.
Kawan Nusantara Bali 2026 also presented the “EVOLUTION” Artwear collection, consisting of 48 pieces including earrings, subeng, brooches, hair combs, necklaces, and bracelets. The motifs include Canang, Tiger, Ray, Flower, and Butterfly. (Kanalbali/IST)
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