Art-science interphase: Transdisciplinarity of insect science in Java’s shadow puppets, Indonesia

Entomology has inspired humans and civilization for centuries, their place in art and culture runs entirely from traditional to scientific. Entomologists can take benefit from the public outreach, and reach out to these artists to explore collaborative outreach ideas generated by art pieces. An example of artistic-culture entomological communication comes from insect shadow puppets. Central Java and Yogyakarta (Indonesia), has a long history of shadow puppet artistry. Shadow puppet has been part of the communities’ culture even before the common era (BCE), which might dated as far as 15 BCE. At present, the shadow puppets are life stories of kingdoms during Hinduism reign the area. The stories are mainly about life’s wisdom and human interaction. When Islam came to Indonesia, it also took the route of the shadow puppet. A shadow puppet artist from the small village in Central Java have used insects as his source of inspiration to develop insect shadow puppet as his means to tell stories about environment, agriculture and way of living. Through his works he shared knowledge about insect diversity, its functional role and different behavior that affects people’s life. His interaction with the entomological community has widen both his knowledge as also the entomologist communities knowledge on the link between art, sciences and education. This transdisciplinary approach is unique and offers a new approach for entomological education in Indonesia. Personal reflections emerge through stories on insect's behavior, functions, and its ecological impacts that can bring about new insights to life’s wisdom.