Back in 1974, as a student in ASRI, his critical thinking leads to a thesis that focus on the Financial Perspective on Artists. As a student, he started to get reaction from Satyagraha Hurip, Umar Khayam, Rusli, Nashar. Then, all five was invited to joined the first Biennale by the Jakarta's Art Council in 1974. This was a breakthrough, because he is a student and he is going to be in the same event as Affandi and other maestros. But one discussion in December, he triggered a heated debate between Sudjojono and DA Peransi about corruption and nepotism amongst the art institution. Right there and then, DA Peransi started a Manifest that serves as a correction of National Art - The Black December Manifest. He signed it, along with Bonyong, Harsono, Nanik, Adiyati, Ris Purwono, Muryoto Hartoyo, and some others. This rebellious act leads to Hardi's suspension - and then expelled by the rectorate, Abas Alibasyah.

In the midst of this revolution, he joined Jim Supangkat, along with other students from ASRI and ITB in starting a Contemporary Art Movement sponsored by DKJ TIM. Hardi and his fellow comrades keeps on voicing changes and pushes the boundaries, while the senior artists fight back. But, in order to grow, something has to break. And Hardi took part in paving the new art movement that all young artists are enjoying today.