Architect Widnyana Sudibya
Simplicity, Crucial in Architectural Style

Talking about architecture, it's not mistaken if we ask about it to this friendly and smiley young personage. He is Ir. Made Widnyana Sudibya, IAI, one of the trailblazers of modern Balinese architecture and today occupies the Chairman of Architects Association of Indonesia (IAI) of Bali Chapter. This position is occupied for two periods (2002-2005 and 2005-2008). "IAI Bali Chapter is an organization making up architects and has significant role in the development and conservation of Balinese indigenous architecture," he says on being visited by Bali Travel News, Wednesday (22/2).
Added, members of IAI are architects or bachelor degree's holder in architecture having Architectural Competence Certification issued by the Institute of National Construction Services Development (LPJKN) and approved by central(Jakarta) IAI.
His interest in architectural domain was commenced since he was in senior high school (1965) where at that time he saw the ngaben cremation ceremony of Klungkung royal families on passing by the palace. There, he saw a tall and alluring bade tower and lembu (ox-shaped sarcophagus) along with their accessories. It was the masterpiece of Mangku Tjedet, an undagi (Balinese traditional architect). "That's the beginning why I'm interested in architectural domain," he explains.
This Klungkung-born man admits that Balinese architecture is an architecture inspired by local culture. "In my mind, architectural work is a joint creation. Architect is planning coordinator assisted by some expert team like landscape, interior, materials planner and other supporters," says Sudibya who currently only involves in projects of private sector.
One of his masterpieces is when he became as design team of The Four Seasons Resort, Jimbaran of which former name was The Regent Bali. He collaborates with Australian architect under the company Ground Kent Architect (GKA). GKA is principal architect, while Sudibya himself from Alteri Consultant constituting associate of the project. The project was done for three years (1991-1993).
At the beginning, he designed his work by handmade. Then, since 1993 he has been known as modern architecture as he designs his architectural works by Computer Aided Design (CAD) program. "The advantage of computer technology is that it can give faster process, higher accuracy and precision," he says while adding that he learned computer autodidactically.
Also added, Balinese architecture need not be elaborate (glamour), but at all times applies minimalist concept that impresses on the uncrowded creations. "My philosophy is to make a modest architectural creation but accompanied with precise and well ordered details," describes the man who has got involved in Balinese architectural domain over 22 years. (BTN/Para)

Guruh Soekarnoputra
The Balinese Should Uphold Their Culture

Guruh Soekarno Putra expects that Balinese people remain to uphold, conserve and develop their art and culture. "If it's not done by the Balinese, who will do it?" asks the son of first president of the RI, Soekarno on opening of Bali Book Mart 2006 at Pasar Oleh-Oleh, Jalan Raya Kuta 88, Saturday (18/2).
Observed, he frequently travels abroad and tells the foreigners about Bali all the times, chiefly things pertaining to its art and culture. "In fact," he says," the European, American, Japanese and others are extremely proud of Bali." Bali is better known than Indonesia. "In which part of Indonesia is Bali situated?" such question is often asked abroad.
Since his childhood, Guruh has been often to Bali as his father founded a presidential palace at Tampaksiring, Gianyar. On that account, he extremely loves Bali. As an artist, Guruh learns many things from Bali. He is capable of dancing and playing the Balinese gamelan orchestra as well as painting. All of these arts he learns from Bali.
Due to his overly care of Bali, he many a time expresses his annoyance and disappointment towardBali in good faith. What's that? Previously, every single village in Bali definitely has border in the form of verdant spread of rice field. Today, no more rice field serves as village marge or territory. Rice field has sold out and been built shop-house, skyscraping concrete building and bird's twitter has been changed into the roar of car or motorbike's machine. "Please bear in mind," he utters seriously," travellers come to Bali is not because of those shop-house, but of art and culture as well as alluring panorama of its nature, including its verdant rice field."
(BTN/Yan Beryas)