I had a nice talk with Gutomo Priyatmono, the headmaster of Ideology Critique in Philosophy Faculty, Gajah Mada University, Yogyakarta, about Bali nowadays while having tea in Kuta. Well, actually it was not really nice things to hear, quite bitter but I think it was a constructive critique for Bali. He was complaining about Bali’s (the people) attitude that always become an event organizer for events (he stated it as a “worker”) to prepare hotels, transportation and etc. for the United Nation Climate Change Conference (UNCCC). Well, no professors from Universities, no figures from the government who are really have any fine ideas and solutions to solve the climate change problem. Even most hotels and restaurants belong to non Balinese and sorry to say that lots of Balinese only become waiters, waitress, spa’s workers, and so on.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

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“Balinese art is an indispensable part of Balinese religion, culture and life.”

“Art is identical with religion, art creativity is a performance of the religious teaching” this quotation indicates the unity of art and religion in Bali. It is hard to differentiate between art and religion without deep understanding on art and religion of Bali. Since every ceremony contains art performance in it and every art performance is loaded with the values and teachings of religion. The unity of art and religion ensures that the art be constantly practiced and become part of Balinese life.

Balinese life is surrounded by art from earliest childhood, ever-present everywhere and every time. Everyone down to the simplest peasant can be both an artist and an aesthetically conscious art critic. A field-laborer might chide a clumsy instrument maker for a job poorly done, and even a young food stall seller from a humble family is skilled practitioner of Bali classical dance.

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Museum Puri Lukisan or Palace of Painting Museum is situated strategically in the heart of Ubud at the north end of Ubud main street (Jalan Raya Ubud), 30 km from Denpasar and 40 km from the airport. The museum lies in a serene garden, under the shade of trees.

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