Dodit Artawan’s Colorful Balinese Pop Art Creations
The avant-garde imagery of the Pop Art movement had a global impact and first emerged in the United Kingdom and the United States in the mid-1950s. Claes Oldenburg, a Swedish-born American Pop artist in 1961, penned a compelling manifesto, part of which reads, “I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other
Ulap-Ulap: The Protector of Balinese Buildings
Found hanging at the front of almost every Balinese building is a rerajahan (a form of religious art) known as an ulap-ulap. These ink drawings on white cloth serve to ward off misfortune from Balinese buildings. Ulap-ulap derives from the word ‘ulap’, meaning to wave or beckon. This refers to calling a particular positive force from
Kerauhan: Trance and Possession in Bali
During a Balinese ceremony or performance, it’s not uncommon to see someone fall into a trace. This is known as kerauhan, during which it is believed that a spirit is now in control of someone’s mind and body. This may be hard to fathom for many people, but upon seeing the self-stabbing act of ngurek,
3 Balinese Myths and Mysteries to Scare You on Halloween
Being an island filled with mysticism, Bali is no stranger to ghost stories and eerie folklore. In fact, it’s practically part of the culture on the island. Both positive and negative forces must exist on the island simultaneously for balance to exist, this the philosophy of Rwa Bhineda – the balance of opposites. Stories of
Lobangkara: The Balinese Ikarus
Once upon a time, there lived in the village of Kamasan, just on the outskirts of Klungkung, a talented painter by the name of Lobangkara. Painting was his whole life, and so he spent all his time at it, heedless of what people said and of the way the world went around him. The world
Primitive Learning: Filippo Sciascia Merges Art, Technology & Nature
The Bali art scene is a unique and rich tapestry. A layered, multi-tiered, ever-evolving hybrid of local and national fine artists, artisans, and visiting and expatriate internationals. Filippo Sciascia, an Italian contemporary artist, has resided in Ubud for over twenty-five years. His relentless curiosity about the human experience has led him on a captivating journey
Explore Indonesia’s Heritage through Fashion, Food, and Culture at Wastra Wonderland 2nd Ed.
On 11 October 2024, Merusaka Nusa Dua proudly presents the 2nd edition of Wastra Wonderland from 12 PM-9PM, coinciding with Batik Day on 2 October. This event aims to explore Indonesia’s heritage through fashion, food, and cultural experiences, celebrating and supporting our local designers and small enterprises. “Wastra” is defined by traditional Indonesian textiles or fabrics,
Pratima and Pralingga: Effigies of the Gods
Every year, the island of Bali comes alive with a profound and deeply spiritual tradition known as melasti. It is a ritual of purification, during which worshippers travel to the beach in procession. Carried upon their heads are special objects, often wrapped in sacred textiles. These are the pratima and pralingga, effigies symbolising gods and
Why is Bali Called the Island of the Gods? An Introduction to Balinese Hinduism
Amongst the estimated 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, one shines brighter than them all. This island has been called many names: The Morning of the World, Island of Peace, Island of Love. The name that resonates the most however, is The Island of the Gods. Sandwiched between the fiery island of Java
Kebo Iwa: The Giant Who Shaped Bali’s Legends and Landscape
Bali is a land of lush landscapes and vibrant cultures, rich in myths and legends. Amongst these, the tale of Kebo Iwa stands out for its poignant narrative and profound themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the seismic power shifts that altered Bali’s past. Kebo Iwa, meaning “Uncle Buffalo,” was a figure of immense strength and
The Origins of Tajen in Indonesia: A Time-Honoured Tradition
Cockfighting, known locally as tajen or sabung ayam is not merely a pastime in Indonesia; it is a cultural institution deeply intertwined especially with Bali’s spiritual beliefs. Today, it is a familiar image of wicker baskets lining roads around Indonesia, housing roosters as they are toughened up with traffic sounds. In this article, Sake Santema
Balinese Artist Mangu Putra’s Momentary Blurring of a Historical Timeline
An archival Black & White photograph dated 20 September, 1906, depicts a transport boat, part of the naval forces of the Sixth Military Expedition of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army, anchored offshore of Sanur, Bali. Colonial machines of war, equipment, soldiers, and horses disembark into landing vessels bound for Padang Galak beach. Naval artillery
The Story of Galungan: When Good Triumphs Over Evil
Galungan is one of the most important ceremonies on the Balinese calendar. The exact dates of this auspicious day are calculated through the 210-day Pawukon calendar, where the Galungan period will last 10 days, starting from Galungan and ending on Kuningan. Available on your preferred Podcast Platform:iTunes • Spotify • Google Podcasts • Pocket Casts • Radio Public You’ll know when Galungan is coming a
