Esaunggul.ac.id, Presenting 63 photographic works and drawing enthusiasm from the capital's public, students from the Visual Communication Design Study Program, Faculty of Design and Creative Industries, Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University successfully held a photography exhibition entitled Visible Existence at Menteng Park (Green House), Central Jakarta

The three-day exhibition, held from February 16 to 18, 2026, is open to the public and serves as a space for dialogue between academic works and the community. A total of 63 photographic works are displayed, offering various perspectives on the dynamics of public spaces, social realities, and the everyday expressions of urban communities.

Through the theme Visible ExistenceStudents strive to present visual narratives about existence, both individual and collective, that are often overlooked but have strong meaning in a social and cultural context. This exhibition is not merely a showcase for testing works or demonstrating technical skills, but also a space for reflection and social criticism through the medium of photography. Visible Existence was born out of concern for the various realities that exist in social life. The event is not merely an examination of student work, entertainment, documentation, or a display of expertise in the field of photography. More than that, this exhibition is a space for reflection on the values of real life and social criticism conveyed through the medium of photography. Each work speaks not only about visual aesthetics, but also about the consciousness of each human being.

The exhibition curator and Deputy Dean of FDIK at Esa Unggul University, Dr. Muhammad Fauzi, S.Ds., M.Ds., said that this activity was a form of intellectual accountability for students in the public sphere.

“This exhibition is a reflection of the academic process of students in presenting their work in public spaces. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students grow and their dignity elevated through meaningful works,” he said.

The Head of the FDIK Quality Control Team, Rudi Herimarwan, S.Sn, M.Ds, added that creative learning must be contextual.

“Learning is not limited to the classroom. Direct contributions to society through works such as this are a tangible academic implementation,” he explained.

One of the main activities was a talk show featuring Ahmad Fuad, S.Sn., M.Ds, a lecturer at FDIK and professional photographer, with Afnida Qurrata Ayuni as the moderator. The discussion was dynamic and interactive, attended by students, the photography community, and enthusiastic visitors who asked questions.

In his presentation, Ahmad Fuad explained that urban photography is not merely the act of taking pictures on the streets, but rather the ability to read the reality of the city selectively and reflectively.

“Di ruang publik, kita dihadapkan pada polusi visual seperti iklan, rambu, kabel, keramaian. Tantangan fotografer adalah bagaimana melihat secara fokus di tengah kompleksitas itu. Foto yang kuat bukan hanya indah secara visual, tetapi mampu menyampaikan narasi,” jelasnya.

He also emphasized the importance of titles and captions as meaning enhancers.

A photo can stand alone, but the right caption can open up new layers of interpretation. However, it is important to understand that meaning remains subjective--each audience member brings their own experiences, culture, and perspectives.

The discussion then moved on to the issue of authenticity in the midst of developments in AI technology and digital manipulation. Ahmad Fuad encouraged students to be ethically conscious in their work.

“The limits of authenticity lie in the integrity of the photographer themselves. Editing is part of the creative process, but transparency and honesty are key. In the age of AI, it is precisely personal identity and perspective that become the main distinguishing factors of a creator.”

The question and answer session was lively, with participants delving deeper into the creative process, visual exploration, and strategies for building a professional portfolio. The talk show not only enriched technical understanding, but also broadened students' conceptual insights into photography as an epistemic medium—a tool for recording and constructing social narratives.

The Dean of the Faculty of Design and Creative Industries at Esa Unggul University, Dr. Indra Gunara Rochyat, S.Sn., MA, M.Ds, expressed his appreciation for the integration of conceptual depth and technical quality in the students' work.

“Mahasiswa tidak hanya menangkap citra, tetapi juga membangun narasi dan perspektif kritis melalui fotografi. Pameran ini menunjukkan capaian pembelajaran yang utuh, mulai dari konseptualisasi ide hingga eksekusi profesional di ruang publik,” ungkapnya.

Menanggapi hal ini juga, Kaprodi DKV, Dr. Ixsora Gupita Cinantya, M.Pd. menyampaikan pameran fotografi bertema Street Photography “visible exsistence” di Taman Menteng ini sangat inspiratif dan memberikan ruang apresiasi bagi karya-karya yang menangkap dinamika kehidupan kota secara jujur dan artistik. Setiap foto seakan menghadirkan cerita yang dekat dengan keseharian kita, namun sering luput dari perhatian.

“Harapan Saya semoga pameran ini dapat terus diselenggarakan secara berkelanjutan, menjadi wadah bagi mahasiswa DKV Esa Unggul untuk berkembang, serta semakin mendekatkan seni fotografi kepada masyarakat luas, khususnya generasi muda agar lebih peka terhadap lingkungan dan kehidupan sosial di sekitarnya”ucap beliau.

Rektor Universitas Esa Unggul, Dr. Ir. Arief Kusuma Among Praja, ST, MBA, IPU, ASEAN Eng., turut menyampaikan apresiasi atas terselenggaranya pameran ini sebagai wujud ekosistem akademik yang produktif dan kolaboratif.

“Kami mendorong mahasiswa untuk menghadirkan karya yang tidak hanya kuat secara estetika, tetapi juga memiliki kedalaman makna dan relevansi sosial. Kegiatan seperti ini menunjukkan bahwa proses pendidikan di Universitas Esa Unggul mampu melahirkan insan kreatif yang adaptif, reflektif, dan siap berkontribusi di ruang publik,” ujarnya.

exhibition Visible Existence is an annual routine agenda of the Visual Communication Design Study Program, FDIK, Esa Unggul University. The presence of previous exhibitors such as Analog Reflection and Scale Shoots Exhibition contribute to strengthening the continuity of creative traditions in the academic environment.

Through this achievement, Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University reaffirms its commitment to building an educational ecosystem that is not only oriented towards academic quality, but also towards developing the character and competitiveness of students at the national and global levels.

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University Is a World Class University

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University has 10 faculties, namely the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Design & Creative Industries, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Computer Science, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Psychology, and Faculty of Teacher Training & Education. Esa Unggul offers Regular Class, Employee Class, and Distance Learning programs.

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University is accredited with distinction based on BAN PT Decree: 2041/SK/BAN-PT/Ak/PT/XI/2024. Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University also achieved the following rankings:

  • 3 Best Private Universities in Jakarta
  • 15 Best Private Universities in Indonesia
  • 46 Best Public and Private Universities Nationwide (Based on UniRank / 4ICU 2025 Rankings)
  • Ranked 2nd in DKI Jakarta, 29th nationally, and 203rd internationally (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025)

Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University is the only campus in Indonesia that has received support and cooperation from Arizona State University (ASU) in realizing its vision to become a world-class university and provide quality education for students throughout Indonesia. With the spirit of “excellence and globalism,” Esa Unggul University Powered by Arizona State University continues to move forward in producing graduates who are professional, have integrity, and are ready to respond to the challenges of the world today and in the future.

For further information, please visit esaunggul.ac.id – aruna9news.com