Keris, a Traditional Weapon

Same for religious and ritual motifs, commonly by the native keris in general, divided into two characters, which is the enchanted done which has a spiritual power, used for religious and ritual purpose. A is the empty one, which do not have any purpose other than accessories. While its original purpose as a weapon has beer diminished. Tourists bought it for souvenirs or collection from the orient.
How to make keris ? "First is collecting the materials, usually of cast iron and fragment of a meteorite. The meteorite usually imported from India or United States because of it's rarity and unavailability in Bali.
The next process is to melt the metal and meteorite into a molding and formed into metal alloy blocks. The block then cast, hammered on an anvil and folded (repeated from 90 to 200 times). Then formed into a winding and tapering shape desired or according to the design. The making of an enchanted keris is held with delicate care and only at a certain days that is believed to be a dewasa ayu (good days) special for this activity", explained Pande Made Mangku Repot (65), a keris-maker.
Keris is varied in size, the small one range between 9 - 25 cm and the large one between 26 - 50 cm. The size it's self depend upon it's character and it's purpose, for example: 8 x 3 for merchant, 17 x 9 for court official, 15 x 7 for peasant, 9 x 1 for fishermen. The time to make keris is not same of all, depend on the size of keris.
The small range one need about 5 days and the larger range one need between 20 - 30 days. To get keris you can buy or order to make it's in Banjar Brita, Pejeng Kelod, Petemon, Kecamatan Tampaksiring, Gianyar. You can get it's with the affordable price, depend on the size, the small range one about Rp.500.000 and the larger range one about Rp.2.500.000. So, interested to have it? This single hand-held weapon is included within the blades type. It's only that, what distinguishes it is the unique shape, blades commonly straight or slightly bent or crescent shape, while keris is typical for its winding and tapering shape. Known as one of traditional weapon especially in Java & Bali, yielded by Knight, warrior and men of the olden age. However, the popularity of keris remains story among the natives and haven't lost even a slight of its charisma. Many still in search for this traditional weapon. Some motivated just to increase their artifact collection this include the non-native or tourists.

Children Painting Exhibition

DENPASAR - The highlight of 14th Denpasar Anniversary, held painting exhibition at Museum Bali. The exhibition with theme the "Through the children painting exhibition, we created Denpasar city with culture concept" performs two children painters are Clara Alverina Hendriyani, in V years SD Raj Yamuna and Putu Aditya Saputra, in 7 years, SMPN 6 Denpasar. Clara performs 80 pictures on the crayon and Aditya performs 80 paintings on the canvas. The exhibition held from 13 - 27 February 2006 and opened by Building Assistant of District Secretary Denpasar Ir. A.A. Sudharsana and accompanied Ny. Bintang Puspayoga. The painting price of the two children painters between Rp 1 million until Rp 2 million. (BTN/015)

Greeting Card Business in Bali

Valentine day, one of the most awaited within the year by those who longing for love, especially for those who are youthful. This day, 14th February, is assumed as a most perfect moment to show and express feeling of love and affection toward each other. One of which it is to beloved family member and relatives as well as friends and those who dear.
The expression shown verbally by greeting, writing and giving present usually in the form of flowers, chocolates, dolls and any appealing gifts. Here we'll discuss one of the typical valentine gifts, "Happy Valentine" greeting cards. The next picture displays the design, dominate by pink, characteristic associated with valentine.
Next will be explained the general process of the making. First is the designing process, done with hand-drawn sketches and proceeded to the composition and finishing stage with computer graphic software. Second is making a film. The completed design redrawn on the tracing paper. Third phase is transferring the image on the tracing paper to the screen. The image then developed by the photo-sensitive chemical solution, with the help of the sun rays or with artificial ultraviolet rays. Widely-know photo sensitive solution brand "ulano" is applied thoroughly to the screen.
Fourth is printing process. The printing paper is attached on the screen's surface. Then through the side of the screen, paint is applied thoroughly with modest pressure, by a flat sweeping utensil mainly of latex or plastic, called "rakel". "Finally, the cutting and folding the printed paper", said Kalim Prihatiningsih, the owner of Terbit Printing design studio.
The each of that greeting card has a 22 x 11 cm dimension. To complete 100 ply, usually take 3 days. They are sold in a affordable price, range between Rp.2.000-Rp.3000.
(Text and photos by Gusprimata)

Painter Co Schouten Exhibition

The Nederland born painter, Co Schouten (67), performs his painting which using pastel on its paper. Therefore the 30 images made in naturalist style shown at Gallery Danes Art Veranda, Tanjung Bungkak Denpasar until 8th of March.
The opening of the exhibition was in the same time with Co Schouten Birthday who has stays in Bali for 15 years. As a painter, he said that he is happy and fell in love with Bali." The astonishing culture, beautiful panorama and the generous people," he said to Bali Travel News.
For 15 years he has been in Bali, he said that Bali have change in many ways. Nowadays, many of theagricultural land in south Bali have 'disappear', and that make the view is not too good to look. There are a lot of buildings standing over there. "As a paint artist, I love the nature so that I feel very disappoint for the condition," he said.
Shouten who is able to speak in Indonesia, wish that the eternality of the farms that still exist can be maintained. So does with the art and culture in Bali to be. "If it is not be maintained by Balinese, then who else will take care of it?" he warned. (BTN/ 018)