If Objects Could Speak: Storytelling with SAKA Museum

If Objects Could Speak: Storytelling with SAKA Museum

By: Andika Devara Loeis

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On 30 October 2025, SAKA Museum took part in the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (UWRF) with If Objects Could Speak, an interactive session that invited festival audiences to read museum collections as living narratives rather than silent artifacts.

Responding to this year’s festival theme, Aham Brahmasmi: I Am the Universe, the session asked what happens when objects “speak back” , how they can mirror human imagination and memory. By blending storytelling and audience participation, the session offered a glimpse into SAKA’s approach to heritage: one that values dialogue, reflection, and creativity as integral parts of cultural understanding. Held in the heart of Ubud’s literary gathering, this collaboration between SAKA Museum and UWRF celebrated the shared role of stories—in words, in objects, and in the spaces where both come alive.

We invited participants to imagine how an object might say if given a voice. Through storytelling and creative interpretation, the program revealed that each object holds layers of meaning. They are not merely things preserved, but also vital vessels of memory and lived experience.

Led by Dr. Judith E. Bosnak, Director of SAKA Museum, the session unfolded in three parts: a brief introduction to SAKA Museum, an interactive exercise where participants responded to the prompt “If this object could speak, what story would it tell?” through writing or drawing, and finally Highlighted Facts about SAKA Museum—a lively segment combining historical knowledge with surprising details about the museum’s architecture, exhibitions, and mission.

Thirty-four participants, from children to older adults, joined with enthusiasm and curiosity. Each was invited to imagine what a museum object might say if it could speak, and to express their response through writing, drawing, or discussion. Most participants drew from personal memories and emotions rather than local beliefs or symbolism, as many were visitors from outside Bali or Indonesia. Yet, their familiarity and appreciation for Balinese culture gave rise to a rich diversity of interpretations—from reflections on travel and belonging to memories of family traditions and everyday rituals.

This openness created a space where cultural understanding met personal experience. Through these varied perspectives, participants discovered how objects can serve as bridges between people and places, linking individual stories to shared heritage.

The session introduced SAKA Museum to new audiences within the UWRF community, strengthening its presence among literary and cultural practitioners. The discussion opened new dialogues with participants, who shared a genuine interest in exploring SAKA’s collections beyond the festival. The program highlighted how storytelling can bridge personal experiences and cultural understanding—reaffirming SAKA’s mission to make heritage accessible, engaging, and relevant to all.

In the spirit of Aham Brahmasmi, the session reminded us that every object carries a voice—one that speaks through memory, imagination, and the stories we share. When listened to closely, these voices reveal that the universe lives not only around us, but also within us.

Visit SAKA Museum at AYANA Bali to continue the conversation, through our exhibitions, SAKA Dome, and KALA sessions. More information about KALA.03: bit.ly/RSVPKALA03.