I'LL FOLLOW THE SUN

Galih Sedayu dikenal sebagai salah satu figur dan tokoh kreatif asal Kota Bandung yang konsisten mendorong penguatan ekosistem Kota Kreatif di Indonesia. Lebih dari dua dekade, ia menapaki berbagai peran kreatif sebagai konsultan kota kreatif ; praktisi ekonomi kreatif ; pemerhati budaya dan pariwisata ; mentor event dan festival ; sekaligus fotografer dan penerbit buku melalui pendekatan kerja yang menempatkan budaya, kreativitas, dan inovasi sebagai akar pembangunan kota kreatif. Keterlibatannya tidak hanya berhenti pada gagasan, namun menjelma dalam berbagai praktik baik mulai dari pendampingan kota kreatif berbasis ekonomi kreatif, pariwisata, dan kebudayaan ; kurasi event dan festival kreatif ; hingga penyusunan peta jalan (roadmap) bagi kabupaten/kota yang berdampak bagi ekosistem kreatif di Indonesia.

Sejak mendirikan Air Foto Network (2004) dan Ruang Kolaborasa (2020) di Kota Bandung, ia aktif membangun ruang temu dan ide bagi para pelaku kreatif untuk bertumbuh bersama. Inisiatif ini menjadi salah satu pijakan dalam mengembangkan pendekatan kolaboratif yang menghubungkan seluruh pemangku kepentingan. Perannya kemudian berlanjut dalam lingkup yang lebih strategis, termasuk sebagai Ketua Komite Penataan dan Pengembangan Ekonomi Kreatif Kota Bandung (2026–2029). Dalam posisi tersebut, ia turut merumuskan arah pengembangan ekonomi kreatif yang menjadi kompas bagi tujuan pembangunan kota kreatif bandung yang berkelanjutan. Ia juga merupakan Ketua Dewan Kurator Anugerah Kota Bandung (2024-2025), sebuah program penghargaan tahunan yang didedikasikan untuk mengapresiasi kreator dan pelaku ekonomi kreatif di Kota Bandung yang menunjukkan kontribusi, konsistensi, serta dampak dalam ekosistem kreatif.

Di tingkat nasional dan jejaring internasional, ia juga terlibat dalam berbagai inisiatif penting, mulai dari pendirian Masyarakat Fotografi Indonesia / MFI (2014) dan Indonesia Creative Cities Network / ICCN (2015) ; keterlibatan menjadi tim dalam proses seleksi UNESCO Creative Cities Network / UCCN (2022-2025) ; hingga menjadi kurator program Karisma Event Nusantara / KEN (2019-2023) dan Wonderful Indonesia Scale-Up Hub / WISH (2025) yang diselenggarakan oleh Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Republik Indonesia. Ia juga turut berperan sebagai inisiator dan konsultan kreatif untuk sejumlah festival di dalam negeri seperti Asia Afrika Festival (2015-2017) ; Rawayan West Java Music Festival (2018-2019) ; dan Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF (2015-2025), maupun menjadi konseptor dan direktur festival di luar negeri seperti Wonderful Indonesia Festival di Malaysia, Thailand, dan Jepang (2015-2017) . Melalui peran-peran ini, ia tidak hanya memperkuat posisi Indonesia dalam peta kota kreatif dunia, namun juga mewartakan berbagai berita dan kabar baik yang relevan perihal kreativitas bangsa.

Ia juga terus aktif berbagi pengetahuan serta pengalaman sebagai mentor dan narasumber utama di berbagai kabupaten/kota di Indonesia. Baginya, pembangunan kota kreatif bukan sekadar cipta ruang fisik melainkan cipta ruang batin yang menjadi sistem hidup dimana modal kulturalnya bertumpu pada kolaborasi, keberlanjutan, dan keberanian merumuskan solusi. Di tengah dinamika pembangunan kota hari ini, pandangan tersebut menjadi pengingat bahwa kreativitas bukan bakat namun cara kerja. Cara kerja yang dilakukan dengan prinsip empati ; kolaborasi ; serta orkestrasi yang berbasis saling menghargai, bukan atas dasar transaksional. Ketika sebuah kota dikelola dengan tepat, maka pendekatan kreativitas dan kultural dapat menjadi jalan untuk membangun masa depan yang lebih terhubung dan bermakna.

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Galih Sedayu is known as one of the figures who has consistently advocated for the strengthening of creative cities in Indonesia. For more than two decades, he has taken on roles as a creative city consultant, creative economy practitioner, tourism observer, event mentor, as well as a photographer and book publisher, placing culture, creativity, and innovation at the core of urban development. His contributions extend beyond ideas, materializing into various best practices, ranging from mentoring creative cities, curating events and festivals, to developing strategies through roadmap that generate tangible impact on the creative ecosystem.

Since founding Air Foto Network (2004) and Ruang Kolaborasa (2010), he has actively created a collaborative space for creative practitioners to grow together. This initiative has become a key foundation for developing a collaborative approach that connects all stakeholders. His role has since expanded into a more strategic sphere, including serving as Chairman of the Creative Economy Planning and Development Committee of Bandung (2026–2029). In this capacity, he contributes to shaping the direction of creative economy development, serving as a compass for achieving sustainable creative city goals. He also serves as Chairman of the Curatorial Board of the Anugerah Kota Bandung (2024–2025), an annual awards program dedicated to recognizing creators and creative economy actors in Bandung who demonstrate contribution, consistency, and impact within the creative ecosystem.

At the national level and within international networks, he has been involved in a number of significant initiatives, including the establishment of Masyarakat Fotografi Indonesia / MFI (2014) and Indonesia Creative Cities Network / ICCN (2015). He also contributed as part of the selection team for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network / UCCN (2022-2025), and served as a curator for Karisma Event Nusantara / KEN (2019-2023), as well as for Wonderful Indonesia Scale-Up Hub / WISH (2025), both programs organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Republic of Indonesia. He has also served as a creative consultant for a range of festivals, both domestically such as the Asia Africa Festival (2015-2017) and Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF (2015-2025) and internationally, including the Wonderful Indonesia Festival held in Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan (2025-2018). Through these roles, he has not only strengthened Indonesia’s position on the global creative cities map, but also amplified positive narratives that remain relevant to local contexts.

He also remains actively engaged in sharing knowledge as a mentor and keynote speaker across various regions in Indonesia. For Galih Sedayu, a creative city is not merely about constructing physical spaces, but about cultivating an inner space, a living system grounded in collaboration, sustainability, and the courage to formulate solutions. Amid the dynamics of urban development today, this perspective serves as a reminder that creativity is not a talent, but a way of working. It is a way of working rooted in empathy, collaboration (based on mutual respect rather than transactional motives), and orchestration. When a city is managed with intention and care, a creative approach can become a pathway toward building a more connected and meaningful future.

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MENTORS AND SPEAKERS: Mentors and Speakers for Several Cities in Indonesia such as Samarinda and Balikpapan – East Kalimantan (2026) ; Tanjung Redeb (Berau Regency) – East Kalimantan (2025) ; Semarang – Central Java (2025) ; Palu City  – Central Sulawesi (2025) ; Garut Regency – West Java (2025) ; Padang City – West Sumatera (2025) ; Ternate – North Maluku (2024) ; Tapin District – South Kalimantan (2024) ; Subang Regency – West Java (2024) ; Bengkulu City – Sumatera (2024) ; Jayapura City – Papua (2024) ; Depok City – West Java (2024) ; Cimahi City – West Java (2024) ; Bandar Lampung City – Lampung (2024) ; Paser District – East Kalimantan (2024) ; Padang City – West Sumatera (2024) ; Medan – North Sumatera (2024) ; Sukabumi City – West Java (2024) ; Balikpapan City – East Kalimantan (2024) ; Berau Regency – East Kalimantan (2024) ; Brebes Regency – Central Java (2024) ; Tegal City – Central Java (2024) ; Donggala Regency – Central Sulawesi (2024) ; Sorong City – Papua Barat Daya (2024) ; Gorontalo City – Sulawesi (2023) ; Kutai Kartanegara Regency – East Kalimantan (2023) ; Sangatta, Kutai Timur Regency – East Kalimantan (2023) ; Toba Regency – North Sumatera (2023) ; Maumere Regency – East Nusa Tenggara (2023) ; Polewali Mandar Regency – West Sulawesi (2023) ; Enrekang Regency – South Sulawesi (2023) ; Purworejo Regency – Central Java (2023) ; Labuan Bajo – Manggarai Barat District – East Nusa Tenggara (2023) ; Semarang City – Central Java (2023) ; Ampana – Tojo Una-Una Regency – Central Sulawesi (2023) ; Lumajang Regency – East Java (2023) ; Cipanas City – West Java (2023) ; Larantuka, Flores Timur Regency – East Nusa Tenggara (2022) ; Barabai, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency – South Kalimantan (2022) ; Batam City – Kepulauan Riau (2022) ; Denpasar City – Bali (2022) ; Kendari City – Sulawesi Tenggara (2022) ; Kupang City – East Nusa Tenggara (2022) ; Cianjur City – West Java (2021) ; Makassar City – South Sulawesi (2021) ; Manado City – North Sulawesi (2021) ; Pontianak – West Kalimantan (2017) ; Pekalongan – Central Java (2017) ; Kendari – Sulawesi Tenggara (2016) ; Bekasi – West Java (2014) ; Jakarta – Daerah Khusus Ibukota (2014) ; Tasikmalaya – West Java (2013) ; Bogor – West Java (2009)

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CURATORS: Chief Curator of Bandung Creator Awards (2025) ; Curator of Wonderful Indonesia Scale-Up Hub for Ministry of Tourism (2025) ; Chief Curator of Ternate Spice City Ideathon (2024) ; Chief Curator of Bandung Creator Awards (2024) ; Chief Curator of Bandung Creative Week (2024) ; Chief Curator of Bandung Calendar of Event / COE (2024) ; Curator and National Selection Team of UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (2022-2025) ; Curator of Karisma Event Nusantara / KEN for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (2021-2023) ; Chief Curator at Floratama Event Ideathon (2022-2023) ; Curator of Calendar of Event for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (2019-2020) ; Curator of Asian Games Photo Exhibition / Energy of Asia for Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Indonesia (2018) ; Curator of Art Exhibition / Mind Reflection for Lawangwangi Creative Space (2017) ; Curator of Bandung 1955 Exhibition for Paul Tedjasurja (2015) ; Curator of Bandung Creative Awards for Bandung City Goverment (2014) ; Curator of Bandung Nu Urang Exhibition for Bandung City Goverment (2014) ; Curator of Through Flowery Eyes Photo Exhibition (2014) ; Curator of Menuju Bandung Juara Exhibition for Ridwan Kamil (2013) ; Curator of Art Deco kiwari Exhibition for Roemah Seni Sarasvati (2013) ; Curator of International Photo Exhibition of ROC’s 1st Century / Retracing Our Steps for Taipei Economic and Trade Office (2012) ; Curator of Save Our Heritage Photo Exhibition for Grand Royal Panghegar (2011) ; Curator of Tribute To Nature Exhibition for Teh Kotak (2011) ; Curator of Hidup Persib Photo Exhibition at Gedung Indonesia Menggugat (2008)

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JUDGES: Judge of Penaburnesia / Indonesian Children’s Expression Stage Competition (2026) ; Judge of Indonesia Tourism Competition (2023-2025) ; Judge of Buol Batik Design Competition (2025) ; Judge of PsyCompilation National Competiton (2024-2025) ; Judge of Creative Event Proposal Competition (CREO) : “Environmental Friendly Festival” (2022-2023) ; Judge of Bandung City Anniversary Logo Design Competition (2021-2022) ; Judge of Event Ideathon “It’s Time for Labuan Bajo” (2022) ; Judge of Space All Contest by Art Therapy Centre (2021) ; Judge of Sustainable City Poster & Video Competition with Indonesian Local Wisdom (2020) ; Judge of Hyundai Start-Up Challenge (2019) ; Judge of Urban Life Portrait Competition (2019) ; Judge of Positive Psychology Short Film Contest (2019) ; Bandung Creative Exposition (BCX) Contest (2018) ; Judge of Asian Games Photo Contest by Ministry of Communication and Information (2018) ; Judge of Indonesian Entrepreneurship Competition by Ministry of Education and Culture (2016) ; Judge of Fotogenic Survivor Contest by Priangan Cancer Care Foundation (2016) ; Judge of Crafashtival Competition by Bank BJB (2015) ; Judge of Jakarta Kita Awards (2012) ; Judge of Nyaah Ka Kolot Competition (2010-2015) ; Judge of Save Our Heritage Competition (2011) ; Judge of Tribute to Nature by Teh Kotak (2011) ; Judge of Indonesian Railways Competition by KAI (2009) ; Judge of Save Karst Citatah Competition by Kelompok Riset Cekungan Bandung (2008) ; Judge of Kemilau Nusantara Competition (2007-2012) ; Judge of Braga Fest Competition (2006)

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CREATIVE CONSULTANTS: Creative Consultant for Tourism Event Development in Karawang Regency, West Java (2026) ; Chief Creative Concultant of Roadmap for Spice City Ternate (2025) ; Chief Creative Consultant for Creative Economy Roadmap in Subang Regency, West Java (2025) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Spice City Program for Ternate City Goverment (2024)  ; Chief Creative Consultant of Spice City Roadmap for Ternate City Goverment (2023) ; Chief Creative Consultant of City Branding for Hulu Sungai Tengah / HST District Goverment (2023) ; Creative Consultant Team of Let’s Go Gelato (2022) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Ambon City Roadmap for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (2020) ; Chief Creative Consultant of UKM Awards for Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of Indonesia (2020) ; Creative Consultant Team of Event Management Guidebook for Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia (2020) ; Creative Consultant Team of Ternate City Branding for Indonesia Creative Cities Network / ICCN ; Creative Consultant Team and Asesor of Creative Hub for West Java Provincial Government (2019) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Bandung Creative Belt for Bandung City Govermenment (2018) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Cijaringao Placemaking for Saung Angklung Udjo (2018) ; Creative Consultant Team at Bandung Creative Hub / BCH for Bandung City Goverment (2017) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Mata Warga for Bandung Creative City Forum / BCCF (2016) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Creative Economy Development Book for Bandung City Goverment (2014) ; Creative Consultant Team of Bandung Creative Economy Roadmap for Bandung City Goverment (2014) ; Creative Consultant Team of Bandung Creative Awards for Bandung City Goverment (2014) ; Creative Consultant Team of UNESCO Bandung City of Design for Bandung City Goverment (2013) ; Creative Consultant Team of Bandung Creative Village for Bandung Creative City Forum / BCCF (2012) ; Creative Consultant Team of Wargajakarta.com (2012) ; Chief Creative Consultant Team of PT. Ultra Jaya (2012) ; Chief Creative Consultant of Bandung Photography Park (2011) ; Chief Creative Consultant of PT. Astra Honda Motor (2010) ; Chief Creative Consultant of TelingaMata Communications (2007-2010) ; Chief Creative Consultant of PT. Pos Indonesia (2006-2011)

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EVENTS AND FESTIVALS: Creative Director of Anugerah Kreator Bandung (2025) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival #8 at Malang Raya (2025) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival #7 at Tangerang Selatan, Banten (2024) ; Chief Steering Committee of Bandung Creative Week (2024) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival #6 at Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (2023) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF #5 at Kendari, Sulawesi Tenggara (2022) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF #4 at Pekanbaru, Riau (2021) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF #3 at Denpasar, Bali (2020) ; Festival Director of Cigadung Creative Festival at C59 Factory (2019) ; Festival Director of Rempug Jukung Festival at Bandung Creative Hub / BCH (2019) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF #2 at Ternate, North Maluku (2019) ; Festival Director of Rawayan World Music Festival at Cijaringao, West Java (2018) ; Creative Director of Indonesia Week at Nagoya City, Japan (2018) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Festival / ICCF #1 at Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogjakarta (2018) ; Creative Director of Bandung Creative Hub Fest (2017) ; Festival Director of Wonderful Indonesia Festival at Bangkok City, Thailand (2017) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Conference / ICCC #3 at Makassar, South Sulawesi (2017); Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Conference / ICCC #2 at Malang, East Java (2016) ; Festival Director of Asian African Carnifal at Bandung City, West Java (2015-2017) ; Steering Committee of Indonesia Creative Cities Conference / ICCC #1 at Surakarta, Central Java (2015) ; Festival Director of Indonesia Festival at Penang City, Malaysia (2015) ; Festival Director of Bandung Light Fest at Bandung City, West Java (2015) ; Festival Director of Crafashtival at Bandung City, West Java (2015) ; Festival Director of Milangkala Bandung Festivals at Bandung City, West Java (2015) ; Festival Director of Solidarity Day at Bandung City, West Java (2015) ; Festival Director of Ngora Bandung Festival at Bandung City, West Java (2014) ; Festival Director of Bandung Caang Festival at Bandung City, West java (2014) ; Chief Steering Committee of Jabar Ngagaya Festival at Bandung City, West Java (2014) ; Creative Director of Fashionary for Bandung Creative City Forum at Bandung City, West Java (2013) ; Festival Director of Helar Fest for Bandung Creative City Forum at Bandung City, West Java (2012)

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BOOKS & JOURNALS: Book Editor and Curator of Indonesia Gastronomy Tour for WISH Program (2025) ; Book Editor and Conceptor of Ternate Spice City (2024) ; Book Editor and Conceptor of Barabai The Heart of Borneo (2023) ; Book Editor and Conceptor of Asian Games / Energy of Asia (2018) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Deus Providebit (2016) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Home of Creative Minds (2015) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Moments of Asian-African Conference / Bandung 1955 (2015) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Bandung Nu Urang (2014) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Bandung From Spaces to Places (2014) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Through Flowery Eyes (2014) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Menuju Bandung Juara (2013) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Art Deco Kiwari (2012) ; Book Editor and Conceptor of Top 30 Bandung Industry Centre (2012) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Angklung Udjo (2011) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Save Our Heritage (2011) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Tribute To Nature (2010) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Selamatkan Karst Citatah (2009) ; Book Author and Conceptor of Hidup Persib (2008)

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CREATIVITY: Creativity is the art of being authentic. It is not a rare gift bestowed upon a few, but a way of working, thinking, and responding to the world. Creativity emerges when individuals dare to be honest with their experiences, perspectives, and values, translating what is deeply personal into something meaningful and shared. In this sense, creativity is not about imitation or perfection, but about sincerity, about showing up as oneself and allowing ideas to grow from that truth. Creativity is cultivated through practice, discipline, and openness. It is a process shaped by curiosity, reflection, and the courage to experiment. Like any way of working, it can be learned, refined, and strengthened over time. What makes creativity endure is not talent alone, but consistency and intention: the willingness to observe closely, question assumptions, and connect ideas across boundaries. At its deepest level, creativity needs culture as its primary root. Culture provides the language, symbols, memories, and values that give ideas their meaning. Without culture, creativity loses its grounding and becomes detached from context. When creativity grows from culture, it carries identity, wisdom, and continuity, honoring the past while shaping the future. In this way, creativity becomes not only an act of expression, but a living dialogue between authenticity, work, and cultural roots.