The Blanco Renaissance Museum
The Museum was built on December 2, 1998. The work of building its foundation was attended bv Don Antonio Blanco. Mario Blanco. Ni Rondji and their nearest relatives. The aim of building the museum is to remind of the Blanco’s great master pieces that were sincerely offered to Balinese and Indonesian people. The 3 storied museum was built on 20.000 square meters which represents the three part of the earth: mountain, land and sea.
Land is meant Don Antonio Blanco’s own world, the content of which was expressed in his great work of art and astonishing poetical work exhibited in the second floor. The third floor represent in and imaginary world that matches the amazing view of peaceful surroundings of Campuan - Ubud, where the museum is located.
In front of the museum, there is a fountain that keeps flowing water and makes small waves. The small waves are associated with sea.
At a glance, the museum looks like a church in Europe. Having loved Bali, Blanco had some parts of the museum built in Balinese style, and some others are in Western style. So it expresses a mixed culture, east and west cultures. In building the entering gate of the museum, Blanco was much inspired by Balinese architecture which has taken place since the kingdom era in Bali. He adapted the Balinese architecture to make suitable for his own creation. His inspiration came from his own signatures signed in water painting on a piece of paper. He folded it into two to form a logo. The splitting gate he built was made of green marble imported from Italy. The 15 meters-height of the splitting gate presents the Blanco’s date of birth. On both sides of the entering, two statue in the form green “Naga“, crowned snakes, were erected. It is believed that they are as guardians. The top of splitting gate is in the form of an umbrella (called “Dome” by the owner). This symbolizes protection.
The space between the museum’s stair-ways was painted red that looks like a carpet. This expresses a hearty welcome to people who come to pay a visit, especially the people who understand and appreciate the world of art. This is how he dedicated himself to his world.
The golden statues in the form of Balinese dancers placed in the museum was as the first inspiration that made him able to paint on his canvas. For him, Balinese dancers gave him much inspiration in his work because the Balinese dancers are graceful and dynamic.
The statue that is placed on the highest position is the statue of goddess Saraswati, goddess of knowledge. Blanco believed that he was endowed the divine light by the power of goddess Saraswati that made him able to create for his great artistic work.
In Blanco’s museum compound, there is a gallery and studio which had been built since he began to live at the village of Campuan. The gallery and studio have never been renovated. They are still as they were built in 1952. At the back part of the studio, there is an exhibition room where the photos of maestro Blanco and his family are exhibited.
The museum is also facilitated with a restaurant and coffee shop where visitors can see the picturesque view from a hilly place of Campuan while enjoying meals and drinks. It is also facilitated with souvenir shop where visitors can buy souvenirs which are designed by Blanco’ s family. Visitors can also see Blanco’s big family temple which has 12 storied roofs, and around the temple there is a banyan tree that was planted by Blanco when he began to live there. In front of the family temple yard is a dancing hall, Amphitheatre, where visitors can see dances and cultural performances that promote the mix of the east and western cultures.
The Blanco’s family live in this compound. Their living house is open for guests and visitors. The visitors are able to visit them anytime and are welcome to have a friendly talk and interview about Blanco’s autobiography and his great work.
Bookmark this at
Loading ...
December 16th, 2006 11:26
[...] Blanco House [...]
July 23rd, 2007 13:33
[...] Sanggingan Ubud Bali and is about 5 minutes away from Ubud Art Market, just steps away from the Blanco gallery. This intimate boutique hotel in the edge of Ubud’s valley combines the sophistication of a [...]
October 18th, 2007 16:32
[...] THE BLANCO RENAISSANCE MUSEUM Address : Jl. Campuhan, Ubud Opening hours :09.00-17.00 daily including weekends and public holidays Facilities :The maestro’s studio, Mario Blanco’s gallery, library [...]