Bali Bangkit: A Project to Revitalize ‘Taksu’

July is shaping up to a fabulous month in Bali with numerous art exhibitions, dance and drama performances, and free tours in certain parts of the island. The culmination of these is the Bali Bangkit Project.

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