Maker Faire Surabaya Echoes the Spirit of "Do It Yourself"

Maker Faire Surabaya brings together passionate DIY or "Do It Yourself" creators from various backgrounds.

AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

Visitors operate a survey robot in water during Maker Faire Surabaya at Balai Pemuda, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (20/4/2024).

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — More than 30 creators of DIY products enlivened the Surabaya Maker Faire at the Youth Hall, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (20/4/2024). The first event in Indonesia of the global Maker Faire movement aims to promote DIY based on science, technology and art for all ages and is family friendly.

Maker Faire was initiated by Make magazine in the United States. The show was first held in the Bay Area, USA, 2006, with the spirit of showcasing community innovation and experimentation including science, technology, arts, performance and crafts.

This event, which carries the spirit of "Do It Yourself" or DIY, is a place to meet DIY creators or makers who have a thirst for curiosity, love to learn and share, and building networks.

Maker Faire Surabaya was initiated by Onggo Susilo, Head of Nola Community Learning Center; Dhadhang SBW, initiator of Indonesia Robot School and CEO of Surovotic; and Adhicipta Wirawan, initiator of Surabaya Board Game Market (Subogama).

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Visitors operate a car robot on the sidelines of Maker Faire Surabaya at the Youth Hall, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (20/4/2024).

Onggo Susilo stated that the Surabaya Maker Faire is an expansion of the Maker Faire movement that has reached Indonesia. The event brings together creators with a self-spirit from scientists, academics, professionals, and amateurs, regardless of social background, gender, and age.

"This event is more about introducing, entertaining, building relationships, sharing, and of course providing space for makers to continue to grow," said Onggo.

Also read: Making DIY Things, How to Reduce Stress Creatively

Until now, self-employed creators are often unseen due to their micro-scale activities. Their activities can also be carried out anywhere, such as garages, shops, homes, and even kitchens.

The Maker Faire Surabaya was held in one of the buildings within the Balai Pemuda complex, now also called Alun-alun Surabaya, on April 20-21, 2024. Balai Pemuda has long been the heart of social, artistic, and cultural activities for the people of Surabaya.

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An ecobrick stand made of plastic created by students at SMP Negeri 12 Surabaya on display at Maker Faire Surabaya at Balai Pemuda, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (20/4/2024).

Ahmad Arkaan Taamir, a grade 7 student at SMP Negeri 12 Surabaya and the initiator of Ecobrick Creation, admitted that he was happy to be involved in Maker Faire Surabaya. "I am very happy to be involved here in the hope of introducing and encouraging the ecobrick movement from plastic," said the youngest trainer of the Global Ecobrick Alliance 2021.

Ecobricks is a technique for managing plastic waste by putting plastic waste into bottles until it becomes solid. Bottles containing plastic waste can be used to make various items, for example tables and chairs.

Also read: Make it Yourself Instead of Buying It

I am very happy to be involved here in the hope of introducing and encouraging the plastic ecobrick movement

At Maker Faire Surabaya, Arkaan exhibited tables, chairs and steps made from solid bottles filled with plastic flakes. Arkaan said that he fell in love with ecobrick because he was concerned about the large amount of unmanaged plastic waste.

Since the 4th grade of elementary school, he has taken training in making ecobricks, then practiced it at home to recycle plastic waste into useful products. A number of groups have used products from Kreasi Ecobrick such as tables and chairs.

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Toys made from trash were exhibited at Maker Faire Surabaya at the Youth Hall, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (20/4/2024).

Yakup Dwi, initiator of Artoynesia, also participated in Maker Faire Surabaya. Since 2019, the young man who is familiarly called Jocab has been tinkering with waste from used toys and goods which he has created into displays, installations and die-cast toys.

"Before this Maker Faire existed, our activities were held from cafe to cafe to find friends who were passionate about transforming toy waste," said Yakup.

He added that Artoynesia has become a forum for a number of creators of displays, installations and die-casts who use used goods. More goods created by the community are sold overseas due to high appreciation.