“Touching Heaven”
Installation by Pande Ketut Taman

In Buddhism, the cosmos is divided into Kamandhatu (realm of desire), Rupadhatu (realm of from) and Arupadhatu (realm of formlessness). These 3 spheres have been visually merged into a complete harmonious from in the ancient Candi Barobudur monument in Central Java, which was built during the 9th century.

Pande Ketut Taman, born on 9 April 1970, is from the village of Peliatan near Ubud in Gianyar, Bali, has been living in the village of Muntilan near Candi Borobudur for many years after graduating from the Indonesia Institute of the Art (ISI, Institut Seni Indonesia) in Yogyakarta in 1998.
The concept for the work, then, was not done especially for the first Bali Biennale in 2005; it had been on his mind for a long time in the endless quest to make art more spirituality. “I am concerned about the spiritual well-being of my family, especially my children, “ Explained Taman. “I want to make sure that they maintain this quality throughout their lives”.

The Installation
Menyentuh Langit (Touching Heaven) takes the viewer in a clockwise direction known in Bali as Paradaksina, the Hindu-Buddhist direction of positive forces, of ascent. Starting the outer circumference, the first circumambulation begins on the floor, where several colorful figures made a rice-dough sit and stand in different activities of routine and ritual life. Seen from the back, hundreds more slowly begin their long journey up to the gently sloping ramp; most of them appear to be in a state of humor and happiness.
Traditional Balinese cili fertility figures mix freely with cartoon characters, scantily dressed women, fully costumed dancers, young and old people, innocent and sinister folk from all walks of life. Here and there are holy figures who have contact with the people in order to fulfill their roles. Walking with them, the viewer becomes aware not only of the individuals among the crowd but also of the contrasting emptiness and the feeling becomes more subdued; only the basic Balinese colors of white, brown, yellow and black are used, symbolic of the four cardinal direction.
In the second circling, the viewer physically enters into the installation. Within the empty path between bamboo lattice walls with rice-straw forming traditional Balinese patra patterns, representing growing tendrils and festooned with rice-dough flowers, the viewer now is in an almost sacred space. The pathway on top becomes steeper but still the figures, now in the colors of white and yellow representing purity in Bali, continue their journey unabated. They appear older and wiser on the viewer’s right side, contrasting with the youthful colorful figure on the left side.
The third circumambulation is a tight spiritual and takes the viewer to the very center of the installation and literally becomes embraced by it. The rows of figures, including the few light-heated ones who become understand just as much about life as the scores of holy men and women around them, being to narrow on the steep and final ascent and are so high up that their details cannot be seen. Their individual identities are there but lost and the installation soars to a pinnacle nearly 3 meters high with a solitary person in pure white teetering at the edge of the apex, simultaneously reaching for heaven while facing an abyss below. Only the viewer decides which direction he will go: up towards liberation and union with the divine essence in Hindu moksa or Buddhist nirvana, or down back into the cycle of reincarnation that a person eventually hopes to break free from. (BTN/ Garrett Kam)

Painting Exhibition at Hotel Sanur Beach

Sanur - Hotel Sanur Beach is delighted to announce that it will host a Balinese style painting exhibition by Ubud artist Jro Wayan Amer Ambarie and members of her family for the entire month of January 2006. Born into a family of farmers in the artistic community of Penestanan on the outskirts of Ubud, Amer learned to paint as a child. In fact her father had been tutored by Arie Smit, a Dutch artist who inspired the ‘Young Artists’ style that made the area of Penestanan famous.
A selection of works by Amer as well as pieces by her husband, I.Gusti Bagus Ambara, and daughter, I.Gusti Ayu Berlian Kharismasari, will be on display to the public in the Hotel Sanur Beach arcade located adjacent to the lobby. The collection depicts the ‘Young Artists’ traditional style that is naïve, but also fresh and vibrant. However, Amer seems to have adapted this style slightly and has added traces of her quirky sense of humour. She has focused on aspects of Balinese life that casual observers often fail to see.
General Manager of Hotel Sanur Beach, Mr. Christoph Voegeli comments; “It give me great pleasure to commence the New Year with an exhibition that is so positive and alive. The hotel is always keen to nurture local talent and where else but Bali would you find an entire family of artists”. (BTN/*)

Orphan Party Success

NUSA DUA - In closing the year 2005, co-sponsors Grand Hyatt Bali and Rotary Club Bali Nusa Dua joined forces in putting together a charity for underprivileged children around Bali. It has been an annual event for 14 years, conceived by Mr. Peter Stetler, currently Area Vice President of Hyatt Hotels Indonesia, then General Manager of Grand Hyatt Bali. This year’s Orphan Party success, which was held on December 17, 2005 is fruit of a fine collaboration of Mr. Alain Carraux, President of Rotary Club Bali Nusa Dua and Mr. Detlev Truernit, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Bali.
Six orphanages and schools for disadvantaged children in Bali; Sidhi Astu, Melaya, Belimbing Sari, Darul Najah, Darma Jati, and SLBB attended the Christmas Party in the ballroom of Grand Hyatt Bali.
Over 300 kids ranging from 1 to 15 years of age from different religious faith and backgrounds were brought together to the celebration. In following the tradition, abundance of food, beverages and desserts were served by the Grand Hyatt Bali staff to the children as a message of service to the community. Fun games, singing, dancing, magic show, gamelan procession, talent show, impromptu acting by the children are just a few activities in which the children participated on that eventful Saturday afternoon. As a finale of the event, Santa Claus gave away Christmas gifts to each child. (BTN/*)