Everything happens for a reason... and Hardi's journey is always organic, and flows naturally. Same as his story with wayang. After getting reconnected with his roots and having a successful story with Jangker, Hardi started shifting his attention towards his old love, Wayang or shadow puppet. As a child he was brought up with wayang stories and his memories was sitting till dusk just to enjoy a shadow puppet performances by the great Dalang. This was his passion project.

 

Just like Kris, wayang has a set of prototype that was pass on for generations. So, in 2012, Hardi was determined to renew it and gives it a signature Hardi's artistic style. His first step was to study it. He noticed some essential people who also try to refresh wayang, such as Ki Dalang Gondodarman, (late) Ki Sukasman, Ki Entus Susmono, and some other. He studied the structure, and the original prototype, and put his twist on it. First, he sketched the design and then he collaborated with the craftsman to make his design came true. He worked with Hernot Sarwani, Ade Hok Gie, Yulius Iswanto, and some others. He changes the anatomy, the colours, the clothes, and other design elements according to his interpretation. After he had enough collections, he documented his journey with wayang and published a book entitled, Wayang For The World, in 2013. This coffee table book is written in English and in colour as a way to introduce wayang as one of Indonesia's cultural treasure.