PEWARTANEWS.COM, BEKASI CITY, INDONESIA — Indonesia has introduced a remarkable cultural innovation that is drawing increasing international attention for its bold reinterpretation of one of the world’s oldest living performing arts traditions. Standing nearly four meters tall, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring is far more than a monumental puppet—it is a visionary cultural movement that reimagines the future of Indonesian puppetry through artistic innovation, environmental sustainability, public engagement, and intercultural dialogue.
Created by Indonesian artist, master puppeteer, researcher, director, and cultural innovator Dr. Wawan Gunawan, S.Sn., M.M., internationally recognized as Ki Dalang Wawan Ajen, the project transforms the centuries-old Sundanese Wayang Golek tradition into an unprecedented giant-scale performance art while preserving the philosophical wisdom, ethical values, and spiritual essence that have defined wayang for generations.
Developed at Sanggar Wayang Ajen Diversity in Bekasi City, West Java, the project began on 17 June 2023 and was completed on 14 March 2024. Since its public debut, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring has rapidly become one of Indonesia’s most distinctive contemporary cultural creations, captivating audiences through its monumental dimensions, exceptional craftsmanship, immersive performances, and innovative artistic concept.
Unlike conventional giant puppets that function primarily as ceremonial displays, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring is fully performative. Each figure is engineered to walk, dance, interact with audiences, and perform dramatic scenes just as traditional Wayang Golek puppets do—but at an unprecedented monumental scale. This innovation transforms the traditional puppet theatre into an immersive public performance capable of engaging thousands of spectators in streets, city squares, parks, cultural festivals, and international events.
A New Chapter in Indonesia’s Living Cultural Heritage
Wayang Jumbo D’Bring represents an entirely new artistic interpretation inspired by several iconic Indonesian traditions, including Sundanese Wayang Golek, Badawang, Betawi Ondel-Ondel, and Balinese Ogoh-Ogoh. Rather than imitating these traditions, the project creatively synthesizes their aesthetic and performative qualities into a contemporary artistic language that celebrates Indonesia’s extraordinary cultural diversity.
The name “D’Bring” itself reflects this creative vision. It is derived from the Sundanese words Gede, meaning “great” or “large,” and Hebring, meaning “spectacular” or “magnificent.” Together, they express the ambition to create a monumental puppet performance that inspires wonder while remaining deeply rooted in local wisdom.
This fusion of tradition and innovation demonstrates that cultural heritage is not a static relic of the past but a dynamic and evolving creative force capable of responding to contemporary society without sacrificing its authenticity.
Innovation Through Sustainability
One of the project’s defining innovations lies in its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Most Wayang Jumbo D’Bring figures are constructed using recycled Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam, an industrial by-product that is transformed into lightweight yet durable sculptural structures. By repurposing industrial waste into monumental works of art, the project demonstrates how traditional culture can actively contribute to environmental awareness and circular creative practices.
Each puppet is meticulously hand-crafted using traditional nyungging, the classical Wayang painting technique renowned for its intricate ornamentation, subtle colour gradations, and refined facial expressions. This careful balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary engineering ensures that every figure remains faithful to classical aesthetics while embracing modern materials and production methods.
Monumental Characters Bringing Ancient Epics to Life
The growing collection already includes some of the most celebrated heroes and legendary figures of Indonesia’s classical epics, including Kumbakarna, Gatotkaca, Hanoman, Bima, Batara Rama, Dewi Sinta, Semar, Cepot, Dawala, and Buto Denawa.
Additional characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata continue to be developed, while the creative system also allows for the production of custom-designed monumental figures for educational institutions, government celebrations, museums, tourism events, cultural diplomacy, and international festivals.
This flexibility positions Wayang Jumbo D’Bring as both an artistic masterpiece and a versatile platform for cultural communication and public education.
Collaboration Across Disciplines
The realization of Wayang Jumbo D’Bring represents a remarkable collaborative achievement involving sculptors, painters, costume designers, engineers, artisans, cultural practitioners, and technical specialists from West Java.
This multidisciplinary collaboration demonstrates that safeguarding traditional culture is not the responsibility of artists alone but a collective endeavour that integrates traditional knowledge with modern design, engineering, craftsmanship, and creative management.
The project itself embodies the spirit of gotong royong—Indonesia’s enduring tradition of mutual cooperation—which remains one of the nation’s most valuable cultural assets.
Expanding Indonesia’s Cultural Presence
Since its premiere, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring has been featured at numerous prestigious cultural events throughout Indonesia, including Semarak Harmoni Nusantara in Bekasi City, the Sastramu Wadantara Festival in Pandeglang Banten, celebrations of Indonesia’s National Wayang Day, the West Java Regional Cultural Week, the 103rd Rumawat Padjadjaran Anniversary at Universitas Padjadjaran, the NHI Ngaraga Budaya Festival at the NHI Bandung Institute of Tourism, and the Milangkala Tatar Sunda Cultural Parade in Bandung, West Jawa.
These appearances have demonstrated the project’s remarkable ability to engage audiences of all ages while strengthening cultural tourism, creative industries, arts education, and community participation.
Why Wayang Jumbo D’Bring Matters
Beyond its spectacular visual scale, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring addresses one of today’s greatest cultural challenges: ensuring that traditional heritage remains meaningful within an increasingly globalized and digital world.
The project introduces a new performance model that connects classical storytelling with contemporary audiences through monumental public art, interdisciplinary performance, sustainable design, and immersive cultural experiences.
Its objectives extend far beyond entertainment. Wayang Jumbo D’Bring seeks to preserve Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage, strengthen cultural identity, inspire younger generations, encourage creative innovation, support sustainable tourism, promote environmental responsibility through recycled materials, and enhance Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy on the international stage.
Looking Toward the Future
According to creator Ki Dalang Wawan Ajen, the project represents not merely artistic experimentation but a long-term cultural commitment.
“Wayang has never been a static tradition. Throughout history, it has continually evolved while preserving its philosophical soul. Wayang Jumbo D’Bring is our contribution to ensuring that Indonesian cultural heritage continues to inspire future generations and engage audiences around the world.”
As global interest in living heritage, sustainable culture, and creative innovation continues to grow, Wayang Jumbo D’Bring offers a compelling model for the future of cultural preservation. It demonstrates that tradition can remain authentic while embracing new technologies, new materials, and new audiences.
Emerging from Bekasi City in West Java,Indonesia this monumental creation stands not only as one of Indonesia’s most ambitious contemporary cultural projects but also as a powerful symbol of how local wisdom can speak confidently to the world. Wayang Jumbo D’Bring invites the international community to witness the next evolution of Indonesian puppetry—where history, sustainability, creativity, education, and cultural diplomacy unite in a living masterpiece that carries Indonesia’s cultural legacy into the future.
Wayang Ajen Diversity
E-mail: wayangajen.official@gmail.com
E-Mail: wawanajen@gmail.com
