Gardika Gigih is an Indonesian composer, pianist, and soundscape researcher. He will be participating in the Studio 88 “Summer Residency” programme as one of the selected Southeast Asian artists who has received full residency waiver. He will spend 2 weeks in Doi Saket, working on his unique audio works.
Holding a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology, Gardika particularly focuses on the diverse musical cultures and soundscapes of Southeast Asia. His interests lie at the intersection of music, society, and culture and his works span numerous genres, including concerts, contemporary improvisation, film scoring, multidisciplinary collaborations, and sound ethnography.
In 2023, Gardika received an Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Fellowship to study multicultural collaborations within New York’s music scenes. His composition “Mimpi Owa: A Duet with Javanese Gibbons” was awarded “Sound of the Year” by the BBC Radiophonic Institute and the Museum of Sounds at the British Library
Gardika’s most recent project explores indigenous musical cultures of the Philippines and their influence on contemporary Filipino composers. He also took part in Rimbun Dahan Southeast Asia Residency and Residence Odyssee at Abbaye de Noirlac, France.
Reflecting Human and Nature Relations Through Sounds
During his residency stay at Studio 88, Gardika Gigih is planning to “collaborate with the sounds of nature”. Gardika will record and study the sounds of water, birds, frogs, insects at Mae Takhrai National Park and Mae Kuang Udom Thara Dam. He will collaborate with Khaen musicians (The khaen is a traditional musical instrument usually made of bamboo) to locate his composition in the local tradition. The artist hopes to carry the healing powers with his audio work and, at the same time, attract attention to the current environmental crisis. We are excited to witness Gardika collecting materials for his daily soundscape journal and sharing his process and ideas with the community through an open studio.
More about the artist on Gardika Gigih’s Instagram.
At Studio 88 Artist Residency, we believe that art and creativity are powerful catalysts for building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable creative ecosystem. By supporting talented artists from around the world, we invest in new ideas, cross-cultural exchange, and creative practices that inspire meaningful dialogue, strengthen communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Studio 88’s SUMMER Residency offer up to 3 fully funded residency places for Southeast Asian artists and partial funding for international artists.
Studio 88 accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.
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