Archive for July 11th, 2006
It is said that Bali was the last island that God created. After He had finished creating everything else, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi/Bathara Pasupati (God) summoned the Gods to the top of Mount Mahameru. They were to create an island worthy of paying homage to all the gods without exception. And so it happened.
Dubbed “the island of the gods” Bali became for many people “the last paradise on earth”, a place of peace and peacefulness, of mystical beauty and cultural wisdom, a repository of spiritual bliss, until two bomb attacks put a brute halt to such ecstasy. Since then the term “Bali Bangkit” has been coined for activities in support of Bali’s revival according to Carla Bianpoen.
But different from previous efforts the Bali Bangkit project commencing July 12 puts more weight on the island’s arts and culture which is on the verge of disappearing into an overwhelming global trend.
Hauwming, one of the organizers, revealed that the idea emerged during lunch with his friend Hadi Sunyoto in a restaurant in Bali empty of customers. “We were distressed to see the desolation on this beautiful island and decided we had to do our part.” Being lovers of Balinese traditional art it was only natural that art became the focus of their unfolding plans.
“Initially we only thought of an exhibition” he said, “but then the ball kept rolling involving businessman Subandi Salim and Larasati auction director Daniel Komala.”
As word spread more people got involved. It became known that Agus Dermawan a collector-cum-curator and documenter had been taking notes on Balinese traditional painters since the 1970s and it was decided that these should be published in a Lexicon the launching of which is one of the highlights of the Spirit of Bali Revival Event. Another groundbreaking act is Auctionhouse Larasati’s 14th auction to be held for the first time in Bali and focusing on the development of Balinese art and art inspired by Bali offering 150 lots from various Balinese, non-Balinese and foreign artists who take Bali as their source of artistic inspiration.
The programs from July 12-23
On July 12 6 p.m. at Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Ubud. An exhibition on Balinese traditional masks and wayang opens under the title of Tradition in 1000 Expressions followed by Tari Topeng by the famous Ida Bagus Anom. Anom, the son of noted mask maker Ida Bagus Ketut Gelodog, began making masks at the age of 11. He has earned a reputation as a mask maker and mask dancer. He has made various masks on commission, among others for drama director Peter Brooke.
July 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin will see the performance of the fascinating Kecak dance led by the charismatic choreographer and dancer Cak Rina. I Ketut Rina made his debut as an 11 year old who appeared nude in Sardono W. Kusumo’s Dongeng dari Dirah in the mid-70s. Rina is an accomplished artist who has traveled the world and performed in prestigious places like the Lincoln Center in New York. Among his recent performances is the Kecak Dance in Megalitikum Kuantum (2005) in which he led 300 dancers and as Batara Guru in Robert Wilson’s contemporary staging of the ancient Bugis epic I La Galigo.
July 14 at 7:30 p.m. at ARMA resort, Ubud. The launch of the Bali Bravo Lexicon, an invaluable documentation of about 300 Balinese traditional painters sets the stage for the exhibition Tradition and Reputation in which 72 paintings exemplify the various styles that have evolved throughout time. (The exhibition runs until July 23.) Prior to the exhibition’s opening ceremony the Amex supported Art Awards will be presented to three artists. Then follows a dinner party and the staging of a children’s mask dance Tu Gek Carangsari.
The ARMA hotel is located on the extensive grounds of the Agung Rai Museum of Art nestled on the side of a gently sloping ravine overlooking Tukad Saka (river flowing through a rice field).
July 15 at 6 a.m. Tour to see sunrise in a scenic paddy field and visit traditional Balinese village. Departure from Arma resort at 6 a.m.
At 4:30 p.m. at Maya Ubud Resort, Larasati auction of traditional and modern Balinese as well as Bali-inspired art by Balinese, non-Balinese and foreign artists. Among the 150 lots offered are works by senior Balinese artists like Ida Bagus Made Pugug, Ida Bagus Made, Made Sukada and I Nyoman Meja, and Holland’s Willem Dooijewaard, Gerard Pieter Adolfs and Arie Smit as well as the contemporary Nyoman Masriadi and the late I GAk Murniasih (Murni). The resort is located along the banks of Petanu River within walking distance of the vibrant artist center of Ubud and a 45 minutes drive from the international airport.
July 16 at 8 a.m. Tour to Jatiluwih a world heritage site said to be one of the most picturesque areas which lies in the hills 850 meter above sea level and is located about 20 kilometers north of Tabanan in Bali’s western region. Departure from Arma and Maya Ubud Resorts at 8 a.m.
This tour also includes a visit to the Sidemen area famous for its magnificent view from the jagged hills above steep rice terraces in the near distance. It is also known for its kain ndek ikat cloth as well as gold-threaded songket weaving. A visit to the villa where the influential Walter Spies once worked and lived is an additional attraction particularly as the ARMA museum holds an extensive exhibition to pay homage.
Aside from the above programs there will also be demonstrations on mask, wayang and kamasan-style painting at the site of the Mask Museum.
The organizers of the Bali Bangkit project hope that the fruit of their efforts will help recover the significance of the Balinese taksu, drawing the attention to the intrinsic worth of Balinese culture and tradition and above all to bring back the once booming vibrancy on the island of Bali, “last paradise on earth”.
Entry to the events and participation in the tours is free of charge. However for the tours advanced registration would be appreciated at Tel. 62 21 63866753/54, or mobiles 08176060232, 081932124997.
Exhibition of Traditional Balinese Paintings
Tradition and Reputation July 12-23, 2006
Arma museum, Ubud
Exhibition of Masks and Wayang in 1000 Expressions, July 12-23, 2006
Kampung Seni Kubu Bingin, Br. Tegal Binin Mas Ubud
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 11th, 2006
Without a doubt one of the most stunningly beautiful attractions Bali has to offer visitors, the Bali Botanical Gardens at Candikuning, will take your breath away.
When I visited there late last year, a light rain was falling. A heavy mist was rolling off the slopes of Gunung Pohon, or Tree Mountain, where the gardens are located giving it a surreal atmosphere.
After paying the Rp3,500 per person entry fee and Rp6,000 per vehicle, I drove up to the main office situated where the orchid section was and parked there.
Although only a square kilometre in area I estimated you would need three days to explore this Botanist’s utopia.
Originally built in 1959 the Bali Botanical Gardens has over 800 different species of trees from around the world. Also, there are over 400 species of Orchids to be found and many in full bloom when I was there.
Walking through this fairytale square kilometre I even found a few Eucalypt trees from Australia and several Giant Tree Ferns form New Zealand. A majority of the trees and plants are labelled with their Latin name, under this in English and country of origin.
I most certainly could have spent more time there, but, the rolling mist defeated me.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 11th, 2006
The preparations occurred in 1963 upon the request of President Sukarno and shortly after a massive volcanic eruption of Gunung Agung killed almost two thousand people. This highly religious and important festival was held again in the early months of 1979.
Traditionally, the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra occurs every 100 years. There must be a balance in the world between the forces of good and evil, and when the balance favours the latter the ceremony must be performed.
When the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra occurs - its preparation and the entire ceremony - it is with the involvement of the entire population of Bali. Basically, the eleven demons (of which Rudra is the most powerful) must be transformed in order that they become less threatening to the world balance. This is why then the ceremonies duration is 11 weeks with the number of ceremonies totalling thirty in all.
The beginning of the Eka Dasa Rudra is spectacular. This involves the symbolic washing of the Gods images in the sea. The whole procession takes three days and in this time the images are carried to the sea. But it is the sacrificing of a buffalo, whose horns are covered in gold casings and adorned with other valuables, to the sea demons that to most westerners would seem cruel, but to the Balinese its not. A large heavy stone is tied around the neck of the buffalo as it is forced into the swirling ocean. There are various chants and prayers by pemangku and pedanda, and there are dance rituals performed. The main one being the war dance, baris.
With the conclusion of the initial sacrifice and accompanying rituals virtually everybody in Bali, or most of them, travel to the mother temple at Besakih. Every path and road leading from all the villages in Bali are filled with lines of worshippers carrying offerings up to the main temple at Besakih. When all are gathered, then the climax of Eka Dasa Rudra begins - the Taur sacrifices. These sacrifices involve the pedanda directing their prayers in all 11 directions of what is called ‘Balinese space’, according to ancient rituals written on lontar-palm scripts. Whilst these prayers are being directed, two dozen or so priests sacrifice many animals and birds in an effort to appease the demonic manifestation of Bali’s supreme-being, Rudra.
Naturally the ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra is much more complicated and detailed than I have explained. But you have the basics of the ceremony. To write about the entirety of Eka Dasa Rudra, it would be numerous pages.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 11th, 2006
On the back of the upcoming Bali Festival of Kites to be held at Padang Galak beach in Sanur comes yet another kite festival but this time to be held at the sacred sea temple of Tanah Lot.
I love these festivals and it makes for a great day out because more often than not there is always the associated food stalls and related entertainment at hand. No need to pack a lunch for this festival or the one at Sanur!.
As of July 5th more than 15 countries have registered their interest in participating in the Tanah Lot International Kite Festival set to be held August 11-14, 2006 according to Bali Discovery.
Following less than one month after the Bali Festival of Kites to be held near Sanur Beach at Padang Galak Beach July 20-23, 2006, the Tanah Lot kite flying competition will take place in conjunction with a variety of traditional games and contests including Sunari, Pindekan and Petakut.
International Competition
Local participation will be limited to 40 comprising selected Balinese teams, kite flying contingents from 9 other Indonesian provinces, and the 10 top-rated teams from the Padang Galak event. Meanwhile foreign teams of kite flyers are expected at Tanah Lot from Germany, U.K., Thailand, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Sweden, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, India, U.S.A. and Australia. Final confirmation of participation is still pending for teams from Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
sources : www.baliblog.com
July 11th, 2006
Changing money in Bali has always been a dicey thing for a lot of tourists and especially those with little knowledge who travel to the island for the first time.
At one time I used to use travellers cheques but got bored with the hassle of having to always produce my passport. Most of the time, I carry large denomination notes and find that much easier and less of a hassle. I leave all that money changing to Candika considering that is her field of expertise.
There are sharks out there on the streets in Kuta and Legian who will charge you commission to change money and that in itself is a rip off. The exchange rate might look good on the board out front of the shop but once you have paid the commission then you are getting far less than advertised.
These leeches are a constant scourge and tarnish the good reputation of the Balinese people. I was pleased to read in the Bali Discovery that recently these places were raided.
Responding to numerous complaints from the public regarding fraudulent practices by Bali money-changers a team of village and local community associations conducted surprise raids on three main streets in Legian on Friday, July 8, 2006. Those raids - affecting Jalan Melasti, Jalan Padma and Jalan Legian - netted 55 money changers operating without the required permits.
According to data provided by the Association of Foreign Exchange Operators only 29 exchange counters are formally registered as foreign exchange operators in Legian, a number far less than the 55 illegal operators discovered in the Friday raids.
Of the 55 illegal money changers uncovered in the raids most were found to be operating without any of the required permits with the remainder found to be operating with expired licenses.
Operating licenses for money changers are only issued by Bank Indonesia. Among the requirements imposed by Bank Indonesia for a legal money changer operation are:
Possession of local operating permit (SITU/HO).
A standardized sign to mark the location of an authorized money changer.
A safe for the storage of funds.
A detection device for discovering counterfeit funds.
A calculator.
Forms for recording exchange transactions.
Well presented staff to work in the money changer.
A minimum office size of 2 x 2 meters for the branch office of a money changer.
Sources :www.baliblog.com
July 11th, 2006