On Thursday 21 March, DKV BINUS @Bandung’s Illustration Design class went on an excursion to Orbital Dago, a contemporary art gallery located on the hills of upper Dago area in Bandung. A group exhibition called Fiksimilisi was on display, showcasing works by Milisi Filem, a collective affiliated with Jakarta-based art and culture NGO named Forum Lenteng.

The exhibition features a collection of visual experimentations whose physical appearances rest somewhere between drawing and illustration, a borderline characteristic that is one of the main reasons for our visit. On one hand, the works exhibited are good examples of what the course’s learning outcomes are referring to, particularly with regards to Forms of Imagery and Visual Metaphor.

Secondly it is necessary for the students to be directly exposed to this type of environment, which is highly relevant to their field of study. Visual Communication Design is a discipline that shares the same historical lineage as all the other disciplines within Art and Design. Visits such as this one will broaden the students’ understanding of the type of specialized focus available for them once they graduate.

From seeing the kinds of signage being used throughout the gallery space, the gallery logo itself, the uniformity of their branding strategy as implemented across relevant items (café menu, exhibition catalogue, and so on) – before we even begin talking about the exhibition, there is already a list of lessons to be learned through this initial contact.

It is ideal for students to become familiar and actively engaged with the kind of milieu (art, film, fashion, music and so on) whose outputs often feed back into the Design discipline. This should give them an awareness of what goes on at the forefront of their field, and to inspire them with a much-needed grassroots connection.

Furthermore, as our generation continue to habituate our lives deeper into the digital realm, visits such as this one is a good call that there’s still a wealth of references to be gleaned outside the screen. It is a simple way of saying that, in addition to virtual research; certain sensations can only be achieved through direct contact and interaction with the tangible.

A mixed-method approach to learning is typical at DKV Binus @Bandung. Students are reminded that it is important to absorb knowledge from a variety of sources, while remaining focused in their specialised areas.

For the final half of our excursion, the students were being given an assignment to finish, a 600-word essay reviewing three artworks from the exhibition. The essay will include reflections on why the students have chosen to review them, what connection they might have with their selection, and whether they would incorporate certain elements into their own work.