Digital Hybridity and Ecological Advocacy in Wayang Motekar as a Cultural Communication Strategy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18326/inject.v11i2.6282Keywords:
Wayang Motekar, Digital Media, Cultural Communication, Performing ArtsAbstract
Traditional Indonesian performing arts have faced the challenge of low youth participation in the digital era, raising questions about cultural continuity. This research investigates the application of strategic communication to contemporary Wayang Motekar, a modernist version of Sundanese puppet theatre through which traditional cultural messages are conveyed to digital-native participants. The data were collected through 14 semi-structured interviews (with creators, production teams, cultural observers, and audiences), 8 live performances, and a systematic analysis of digital material from YouTube and Instagram. Three interlinked strategic dimensions were identified. 1) Message planning or the strategic recontextualization of environmental philosophy, which was framed in Sundanese as part of contemporary sustainability discourse, 2) media selection that included video-mapping, projection systems, and platform-differentiated digital distribution; and 3) participatory delivery methods focusing on aesthetic-emotional co-creation rather than didactic instruction. This successful process of cultural communication is facilitated by symbolic-aesthetic involvement, multimodal translation between media platforms, and the positioning of the audience as super-active sense-makers, strategically moving strategic communication theorizing from organization to the sphere of cultural performance. While Wayang Motekar has succeeded in presenting traditional arts as contemporary and can be accepted by the younger generation, it is a matter of fact that success depends on the capability of digital technology literacy among youths, the availability of digital infrastructures, and socio-economic conditions. The study develops an overarching theoretical framework that conceptualizes aesthetic hybridity as instrumental communication, which allows for the empirical identification of the persistence of traditional modes of knowledge, considering digital change.
References
Alghasi, S., & Falkheimer, J. (2024). New Perspectives on Strategic Communication. In Strategic Communication – Contemporary Perspectives (pp. 7–14). Cappelen Damm Akademisk/NOASP. https://doi.org/10.23865/noasp.208.ch1
Boh, A., & Adoka, T. J. (2024). Artistic creativity, digital technologies and theatrical sustainability: Integrating new media in theatre practice. Nigeria Theatre Journal: A Journal of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists, 23(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.4314/ntj.v23i1.3
Busetto, L., Wick, W., & Gumbinger, C. (2020). How to use and assess qualitative research methods. Neurological Research and Practice, 2(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z
Chowdhury, F. Y. (2025). Intergenerational Transmission of Cultural Values and Practices: An Ethnography of Bangladeshi Migrants in Australia. The Family Journal, 10664807241312210. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241312210
Falkheimer, J., & Heide, M. (2022). Strategic Communication: An Introduction to Theory and Global Practice (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003168997
Firdaus, R., & Mochtar, L. (2025). Transforming Wayang-Based Short Stories into Film Screenplays. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.14632090
Hanif, M., & Sri Maruti, E. (2024). The role of traditional music ‘ Karawitan’ in building community resilience in the Sodong Ponorogo Buddhist Village East Java Indonesia to facing the Covid-19 pandemic. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 11(1), 2311004. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2311004
Hartono, Nuryani, W., & Kusumastuti, E. (2024). Javanese art conservation in Indonesia inheriting potentials of local wisdom through Wayang Wong Bocah. Research in Dance Education, 25(2), 234–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647893.2022.2062317
Hermawan, H., Saputra, D. I. S., Albana, I., Ramadhan, M. B., & Mustofa, D. (2025). Systematic Review of Augmented Reality Applications in Wayang Heritage Preservation. Journal of Information Systems and Informatics, 7(2), 1955–1976. https://doi.org/10.51519/journalisi.v7i2.1145
Hermawan, H., Subarkah, P., Utomo, A. T., Ilham, F., & Saputra, D. I. S. (2024). VTUBER PERSONAS IN DIGITAL WAYANG: A REVIEW OF INNOVATIVE CULTURAL PROMOTION FOR INDONESIAN HERITAGE. Jurnal Pilar Nusa Mandiri, 20(2), 165–175. https://doi.org/10.33480/pilar.v20i2.5921
Juwariyah, A., Trisakti, T., & Abida, F. I. N. (2023). Conserving the traditional Indonesian performance art “langen tayub” through “waranggana” creativities. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10(1), 2247672. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2247672
Kirschke, S., Glahe, J., & Kirschke, D. (2025). Exploring impacts of participatory science communication on science, politics, and society. Frontiers in Communication, 10, 1566429. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1566429
Kong, L., Guo, X., & Liu, Y. (2024). The Impact of Digital Media, Virtual Reality, and Computer-generated art on Traditional Art Forms. SHS Web of Conferences, 183, 01004. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202418301004
Li, S., Yunus, M. M., Hussain, R. B. B. M., & Lin, W. (2025). Cultural adaptation to aging: A study on digital cultural adaptation needs of Chinese older adults based on KANO model. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1554552. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1554552
Limano, F. (2022). Barong Bali Performing Arts: A Study Case of Dance Motion Pattern. Humaniora, 13(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v13i1.7344
Mengyao, L., Zhijing, Z., Yejun, S., Yuetong, C., & Yuhong, W. (2025). Research on the Intergenerational Disconnection Dilemma and Path Reconstruction of Youth Inheriting Intangible Cultural Heritage Based on Cultural Identity Theory. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.080811
Midyanti, H. I., & Sukmayadi, Y. (2021). The intersection of local wisdom and digital innovation in performing arts. Interlude: Indonesian Journal of Music Research, Development, and Technology, 1(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.17509/interlude.v1i1.68640
Priambada, Y. B. (2023, September 25). The Urgency of Preserving Traditional Indonesian Arts and Artists. Kompas. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-urgensi-melestarikan-kesenian-dan-seniman-tradisional-indonesia
Prilosadoso, B., Pujiono, B., Supeni, S., & Maulana, M. (2020). The Wayang Beber Pacitan Illustration Style for The Development of Character Figures for Millennial Generation Segmentation. Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 1st Conference of Visual Art, Design, and Social Humanities by Faculty of Art and Design, CONVASH 2019, 2 November 2019, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Proceedings of the 1st Conference of Visual Art, Design, and Social Humanities by Faculty of Art and Design, CONVASH 2019, 2 November 2019, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.2-11-2019.2294767
Ramadani, K. D., Girsang, A. P. L., Silviliyana, M., Sulistyowati, N. P., & Yulianto, K. T. (2024). Statistik Pemuda Indonesia Volume 22 Tahun 2024 (No. 04200.24026; Volume 2, pp. 1–412). Badan Pusat Statistik.
Siswadi, A. (2022, Agustus). Wayang Motekar Siap Tampil di Pentas Teater Salihara. Tempo. https://www.tempo.co/teroka/wayang-motekar-siap-tampil-di-pentas-teater-salihara-299764
Sunardi, S., Saka, P. A., Sulastuti, K. I., Mulyana, A. R., Ansari, I., Novianto, W., Kiswanto, K., & Putro, R. L. U. (2025). Aesthetic Transformation of Javanese Wayang Performances in the Digital Era. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 25(1), 211–226. https://doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v25i1.11320
Surya, I. A. (2021). A Review on Herry Dim’s Creative Process in Creating the Motekar Puppet: A Case Study on Indonesia. Review of International Geographical Education, 1(Special Issue).
Sutiyono. (2020). The Effects of Globalization in Traditional Performing Arts in Indonesia. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Arts and Arts Education (ICAAE 2019). 3rd International Conference on Arts and Arts Education (ICAAE 2019). https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200703.057
Tori. (2022, September 10). Wayang Motekar, Akhiri Musim Seni Salihara Ditonton 200 Lebih Orang. Radar Non Stop. https://m.radarnonstop.co/read/38955/Wayang-Motekar-Akhiri-Musim-Seni-Salihara-Ditonton-200-Lebih-Orang
Tunggal, I. N., & Soekirno, S. (2024, Agustus). Gelaran Wayang Motekar [Motekar puppet show]. Kompas. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-gelaran-wayang-motekar
Van Ruler, B. (2018). Communication Theory: An Underrated Pillar on Which Strategic Communication Rests. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 367–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2018.1452240
Wang, Y., & Schwinges, A. (2025). From Commitment to Communication: A Roadmap for Strategic Communication of Corporate Digital Responsibility. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5449115
Wijaya, A. H., & Wicaksono, S. (2022, September 10). Wayang Motekar Bawa Isu Kerusakan Lingkungan Ke Panggung Pertunjukan. Validnews. https://validnews.id/kultura/wayang-motekar-bawa-isu-kerusakan-lingkungan-ke-panggung-pertunjukan
Xiao, Y. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Social Media Platforms on the Communication of Traditional Performing Arts Based on the Protection of Cultural. Transactions on Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 14, 151–157. https://doi.org/10.62051/0s5ahg13
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 INJECT (Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
