BALI - Bank Central Asia (BCA) and TULOLA brought Kawan Nusantara 2026 to Bali with the theme ’EVOLUSI’, showcasing how Indonesian cultural heritage can evolve into contemporary art and creative products while maintaining its cultural roots.
The event was held at Tirtasada Lobby, The Meru Sanur, Bali, on Wednesday (October 7, 2026). Bali is the second city in the Kawan Nusantara 2026 series after Jakarta, where the event was held on July 23–24, 2026.
The Bali edition also coincided with National Batik Day, with TULOLA, The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel highlighting batik alongside other Indonesian traditional arts and crafts.
TULOLA Explores the Evolution of Balinese Subeng The central theme of Kawan Nusantara 2026, EVOLUSI, explores how cultural traditions can develop over time, acquire new functions and take on contemporary forms without losing their original identity.
TULOLA Founder and Creative Conceptor Happy Salma said traditions remain alive because people continue to give new meaning to ancestral heritage.
For the Bali edition, TULOLA chose subeng, a traditional Balinese ear ornament, as the main object of exploration.
The journey of the subeng is presented through an artistic installation that explores changes in its function, form, materials and design approach.
TULOLA Founder and Creative Designer Sri Luce Rusna explained that the EVOLUSI concept was developed from research into how the function of subeng has changed over time.
According to Sri Luce Rusna, subeng was initially closely associated with spiritual practices and Balinese traditions. Over time, it evolved into an expression of aesthetics, acquired social and economic value, and eventually found new forms through contemporary design.
Four Stages of the EVOLUSI Installation The EVOLUSI installation is divided into four stages: Persembahan, Ekspresi, Nilai and Transformasi. The Persembahan stage places the subeng within a spiritual context, represented by a motif inspired by the padma architecture found in Balinese offering structures.
The Ekspresi stage represents the development of subeng as an aesthetic expression, using lotus flower motifs combined with climbing plants.
The Nilai stage illustrates the subeng's growing role in social and economic spaces through basket and lily motifs.
Meanwhile, Transformasi presents the subeng as a form that continues to adapt to changing times, incorporating typography featuring the word “EVOLUSI.”
The concept is also presented through a large-scale installation. Traditionally known as a relatively small accessory, the subeng is transformed into a large artistic object using contemporary artistic and technological approaches.
Heritage Meets Contemporary Creativity The journey of the subeng was also presented through the opening performance “Rangga Rasmi” by Sanggar Widya Sani of Universitas Hindu Indonesia (UNHI).
The performers wore 12 selected batik fabrics from Sarinah as part of the National Batik Day celebration.
Kawan Nusantara Bali 2026 also features the EVOLUSI Artwear collection, consisting of 48 pieces including earrings, subeng, brooches, hair combs, necklaces and bracelets.
The collection incorporates motifs such as Canang, Macan, Sinar, Bunga and Kupu-kupu.
BCA Executive Vice President of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility Hera F. Haryn said BCA's involvement as the main supporter reflects the company's commitment to introducing works by entrepreneurs supported through Bakti BCA to a wider audience.
She said collaboration between different stakeholders is important to help Indonesia's creative industry grow while providing local creative businesses with broader market access.
BCA also aims to continue serving as a bridge for creative entrepreneurs to strengthen their capabilities, expand their markets and increase the global competitiveness of Indonesian creative works.
Indonesian Artisans and Creative Brands Take Part Kawan Nusantara Bali 2026 involves several Indonesian creative brands, including Bali Sama Sama, Flirt Bali, Indigo Kids, Nina MG and Saka Sarongs.
The event also features Bakti BCA partners Marista Santividya, Kampung Batik Gemah Sumilir and Koperasi Konsumen Uma Tinung Kambata, along with Sarinah-supported partners Sidamukti and Batik Lasem.
One of the highlights is HEROES OF HERITAGE, a collaboration between Bakti BCA and TULOLA with artisans from Taro Tourism Village, Bali.
Artisans I Made Suama and Ketut Daging adapted the traditional craftsmanship of making pratima, or sacred objects, into contemporary jewelry forms.
The exhibition also features Keris Wibawa Gunung Raung by I Komang Sudena and Keris Sabdha Dharma by Balinese artist I Made Arsanata.
Keeping Indonesian Heritage Relevant General Manager of The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel, The National Heritage Collection, Ed Brea, said preserving Indonesia's heritage is an important part of the identity of The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel.
Through the collaboration, the hotels aim to provide Indonesian artisans with space to continue creating and translating traditions into artistic forms that can be enjoyed, appreciated and passed on to future generations.
“This cultural heritage can continue to live and remain relevant while becoming increasingly known by new generations and the global community. This is how we realize the spirit of Leaving Legacy,” Ed Brea said.
Kawan Nusantara Bali 2026 ultimately presents more than art and jewelry. Through EVOLUSI, TULOLA and its partners demonstrate how ancestral heritage can move with the times, develop into contemporary artistic expression, create economic value and open opportunities for new forms of creativity while maintaining its cultural roots.
