Gianyar, Regency

The History of Two Museums in Gianyar

1. Museum Puri Lukisan
When the high quality of Balinese art became recognized around the world, more and more Balinese artworks disappeared to other parts of Indonesia and foreign countries. Thus, the raising fear among the Balinese people, and also Rudolf Bonnet (a Dutch painter, 1895-1978), was that the most precious art would be lost forever and would never come back to its origin. On another level, it was noted that an improvement in skills without a loss of their own identity as Balinese artists was needed.
1936. The above mentioned developments were enough for Rudolf Bonnet together with Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati (the former Prince of Ubud, 1910-1978) and his brother, Tjokorda Gde Raka Sukawati and the famous painter to alter and shape a foundation in 1936, called "Pita Maha".
This foundation was to represent around 125 members in the overseas market through exhibitions. Another activity was to organize weekly meetings with painters and woodcarvers in Ubud to discuss their works. Artists such as I Gusti Nyoman Lempad under auspices of Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati and Rudolf Bonnet created a new organization, following the disruptions of the Second World War, called "Ubud Painters Group". Although it had many followers, the end came soon. After that, a need for a museum of traditional Balinese art was felt among the artists.
1953. First another foundation, called Yayasan Ratna Wartha, was established in 1953. This Yayasan Ratna Wartha was to carry out the role and uphold the ideals of "Pita Maha". In the same period plans and preparations were made to build a museum of modern Balinese art, designed by Rudolf Bonnet. With financial support from several different sources the construction could start.
1954. A foundation stone-laying ceremony was performed by the then Prime Minister Ali Sastroamidjoyo. The name of the museum was "Puri Lukisan" (palace of painting), from this time Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati became director of the museum and Bonnet the curator of museum. Without any support from the then Governor Sarimin Reksodiharjo the museum could not have been developed as much.
1956. The then Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Yamin at 31st of January, 1956, officially opened museum Puri Lukisan to the public. The collection started with a donation of paintings from Rudolf Bonnet. Eventually more were to follow, which were donated by different artists and friends who wanted to help the museum. The foundation managed to purchase some art pieces for the collection. The cultural agreement with the Dutch government supported the return of Bonnet in 1975, who was summoned to leave Bali in 1956, to complete the building of the museum. Museum Puri Lukisan shows with its collection (painting and woodcarvings) the important developments of Balinese arts which are unique and priceless. Nowadays within the rapid changes in the art world the museum is active in organizing exhibitions of local artists.
1978. In this year, when both Rudolf Bonnet and Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati died, a great ceremony was held to honour them. Their memory lives on in the creation of the "Yayasan Ratna Wartha" - foundation and Museum Puri Lukisan, an unforgettable contribution to the arts, for the benefit of both the local and global community.

2. ARMA Museum
The Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) was officially opened by the Indonesian Minister for Education and Culture, Prof Dr Ing Wardiman Djojonegoro on 9 June 1996. The Museum is administered by the ARMA Foundation, which was set up on 13 May 1996.
ARMA is more than just a museum. It is a centre for visual and performing arts and provides opportunities for the visitor to enjoy the permanent collection of paintings, special temporary exhibitions, theatre performances, dance music and painting classes, bookshop, library and reading room, cultural workshop, conferences, seminar and training programs.
The permanent exhibition of paintings by Balinese, Indonesian and foreign artists includes the collection of the ARMA Foundation and works on loan from the private collection of Mr. and Mrs. Agung Rai. The paintings range from traditional to contemporary, including the Classical Kamasan paintings on tree bark; Masterpieces by Batuan artists of the 1930’s and 1940’s; the only works to seen on the island of Bali by the 19th century Javanese artist Raden Saleh Syarif Bustaman, and German painter Walter Spies; Works by Balinese master such as I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Ida Bagus Made, Anak Agung Gde Sobrat and I Gusti Made Deblog; Foreign artists who lived and worked in Bali are represented by Willem Gerard Hofker, Rudolf Bonnet, Adrien Jeans Le Mayeur de Merpres and Willem Dooijewaard among others.
Temporary exhibitions by both Indonesian and foreign artists include paintings, textiles, photography, installations and sculptures with greater emphasis on contemporary art. The Museum is made up of a series of buildings, which are designed in Balinese style, tough on a grander scale than traditional Balinese Architecture. Local materials have been used wherever possible. The two main buildings the Bale Daja (3300 square meters) and the Bale Dauh (1200 square meters) stand majestically amidst the garden, pond and fountains, which are a major feature of the landscaping, as are the vistas to the surrounding rice fields. The open stage is the venue for exciting performances of the both Balinese theatre and visiting groups from other parts of Indonesia and overseas, as well as outdoor banquets.
Accommodation is available for visitors at the ARMA Resort that is located within the museum grounds along with two restaurants, Kokokan Club and Café ARMA and the Warung Kopi coffee shop. (BTN/*/primarta)