How Creativity Works: Mural Showcasing IDF 2018 Discussion Outcomes

The process of mural drawing on a 3x15 meter canvas. It took no less than six hours to complete.

Jakarta, July 11, 2018 - There is always something eye-catching in every Indonesia Development Forum. Similar to the last year’s, IDF 2018 outcomes are also displayed on mural graphics in both the opening and closing venues, Ballroom 1 and 2, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Jakarta.

“The mural graphics help us to easier digest the discussion outcomes of IDF 2018,” said the Director of Inspirit Innovation Circle (INC),  Dani Wahyu Munggoro, who came up with the idea to use mural graphics in various events, during interview regarding the artistic work on the second day of IDF, July 11, 2018.

Dani said that seminars normally involve predominant use of left brain.  Whereas, IDF 2018 raises the term “Imagine”, which can relate more to one’s right. Images stimulate people to use their right brain, enabling them to imagine their aspired future of Indonesia in easier way.

The discussion outcomes are put as a mural on a 3x15 meter whiteboard canvas, describing the four held sessions. The “Inspire” session stresses on best practices from Indonesia and other countries that aim to identify the best steps to address the inter-regional gaps. The “Imagine” session encourages participants to imagine a more inclusive, progressive, and sustainable future for Indonesia.

The “Ideas and Innovations Marketplace” session features new solutions to address various development challenges as “Innovate” approach.  The “Initiate” session discusses about planning and strategies for addressing inter-regional gaps in the country.

The mural graphics artists coordinator, Deni Rodendo, explained that the entire graphics were made in the evening of the first day of IDF, except that of the Initiate session. He mobilized a team of 14 artists, composed of 7 lead artists who did the drawing, and 7 assisting artists who colored and added details onto the piece of art.

“The artists were selected not only based on their drawing skill, but also on their willingness to attentively listen to the content of every session, because they are also responsible for making the summary,” Deni explained.

The mural was made using markers and colored crayons. The white board is divided into five spaces, respectively to depict the forum’s grand title: “Pathways to Tackle Regional Disparity Across the Archipelago”, and the rest four topics (Inspire, Imagine, Innovate, and Initiate).

On the grand title part, a map of Indonesia stretching from Sabang to Merauke is presented along with the description of each sub-theme. The sub-themes are: Regional Growth Centres: What Works Best?; Narrowing the Gaps at the Periphery; Delivering Basic Services to Reduce Regional Disparity; Unlocking the Potential of the Digital Economy for Regional Development; Connecting the Archipelago; Innovations in Local Governance and Development; and Smarter Funding for Better Outcomes.

The seven sub-themes are elaborated through colorful illustrations. For instance, the theme of Connecting the Archipelago is described by images of maritime highway, air plane, roads, and railway.

IDF 2018 is held by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) with the support of the Government of Australia through Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI). IDF 2018 promotes a more equal and sustainable development acceleration in Indonesia that is based upon science, relevant experiences, and facts. The results will be used as a reference to develop the Mid-Term Development Plan of 2020-2024.**