Glow Paintings of Borobudur, Prambanan, and Sewu Temples in the Dark Using the PlatiGleam Technique

InJourney Destination Management is holding an exhibition of paintings of Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Sewu Temple using the PlatiGleam technique by Portuguese artist Nelson Ferreira. The exhibition, titled Nyawiji–The Unity, will begin with a Pop Up Exhibition at the Lalitavistara Restaurant, Borobudur Cultural Center, Borobudur Temple Tourism Park complex, Magelang, Central Java, on Sunday (24/8/2025). The painting exhibition will resume in early September 2025 at the Borobudur Museum, Borobudur Art Village.

This series of paintings, created at night directly from the courtyards of Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Sewu Temple, not only displays artistic beauty, but also reflects the spiritual dimension, the silence of the night, and the historical aura of these historical sites with unique and different visual media.

The exhibition opened with the Kidung Tribangga dance performed by Avadhana Dance Studio. The dance was inspired by the reliefs carved on the balustrades of Borobudur Temple, particularly the Karmawibhangga Borobudur relief.

In his remarks, the Regent of Magelang, represented by the Head of the Department of Tourism, Youth and Sports (Disparpora) of Magelang Regency, Mulyanto, said that the Nelson Ferreira art exhibition was not just an event to showcase paintings, but also a cultural bridge connecting Magelang with Portugal. 

"Wujud is the most beautiful form of cultural diplomacy, where art becomes a universal language that unites us all. Hopefully, this exhibition will also enrich our understanding of painting, especially from a global perspective," he explained.

Commercial Group Head of PT Taman Wisata Borobudur AY Suhartanto said that this painting exhibition is a follow-up to the Twin World Heritage program between Borobudur Temple and Portugal's Batalha Monastery. 

"This collaboration emphasizes efforts to preserve heritage sites through cultural exchanges between the two parties, including opening up spaces for artistic creation that present new and fresh perspectives, not only for the destination itself, but also for the arts ecosystem in Indonesia," he explained.

The PlatiGleam technique is a contemporary painting approach that combines traditional media with the exploration of light reflections on the canvas. Nelson Ferreira uses a dark background and then applies light using special pigments that create reflective streaks from the reflected light rays. These paintings change meaning when viewed from different angles or light intensities, creating an immersive and contemplative visual experience.

Nelson Ferreira admitted that his interest in painting these cultural heritage sites was to re-evaluate and bring to life the monumental works of the past. He believes there is a disconnect between the legacy of past civilizations and contemporary art today, particularly in European museums.

"I'm trying to reconnect the world of spirituality and contemporary art. Currently, the two are completely separate. If you go to a contemporary art museum, they mock spirituality, traditional religions, and ignore ancient cultures. Most museums find nothing interesting here. I'm trying to reconnect the two, because heritage represents the human values ​​that previous generations have produced," explained Nelson Ferreira.

Nelson Ferreira feels honored to be able to paint in the courtyards of these three temples at night. He says painting at night opens up a broader perspective. He has a unique perspective on these three temples.

"Borobudur Temple, with its sloping shape, teaches us to be grounded. The towering Prambanan Temple is like looking up into a glorious paradise. Meanwhile, Sewu Temple gave me the experience of being in the past. It was an intense moment, where I could see two or three stunning images of the past," he explained.

He also said that painting Candi Sewu at night was one of his favorites, opening up new experiences and perspectives.

"Painting Candi Sewu at night really made me realize something different. With the help of the projector, which produced such dramatic lighting, I could see the volume of the temple that I couldn't see during the day. It was truly an extraordinary experience," he explained.

Nelson Ferreira urged young painters to continue respecting and understanding the heritage of the past. He argued that art would be meaningless if these traditions weren't passed down from previous generations.

"We are nothing without our past. What we create today is connected to the past. Very little is original. Ninety-nine percent of the quality of today's works is connected through a long tradition that stretches back to the past. The point is to learn from true masters and learn from previous generations," he explained.

Nelson Ferreira invites everyone to see the Platigleam paintings from Borobudur, Prambanan, and Sewu temples in person. He guarantees that visitors will be amazed by the effect they create.

"You'll love the whimsical effect of the images appearing and disappearing, following the movement of reflected light. Visitors will directly interact with the paintings. This experience, which encompasses all ages and cultures, is something new. I'd love for everyone to experience PlatiGleam paintings in person to fully immerse themselves in the experience. You'll have a completely new experience," he explained.

Commercial Group Head of PT Taman Wisata Borobudur AY Suhartanto added that the Twin World Heritage program, which IDM started in 2017, has collaborated with a number of world destinations, including Borobudur Temple with Angkor Wat, Borobudur Temple with Batalha Monastery, Borobudur Temple with Machu Picchu and Prambanan Temple with Taj Mahal.

"Twin World Heritage is a step to introduce and raise awareness of Indonesian destinations globally. This program encompasses several agendas, including collaboration to increase visitor numbers at each destination ( market share ), promotional collaboration for digital marketing, human resource exchanges, and joint exhibitions at each destination," he concluded.