It's amazing how time seems to slow in Bali. Perhaps it could be due to the fact that I've been waking up at 5am to do things- walks, pilates, swim. By 9am, the stomach even has the chance to get hungry and have a leisurely breakfast. Bali wakes up early. It does seem like there's plenty to do in the day. Checking out the local markets of Pasar Burung and Badung is a complete assault to the senses. Pungent smells aplenty, but oh so colorful.
I'm not familiar with Indonesian art beyond viewing the stuff at the galleries in Magelang and Yogyakarta last year. I need to learn more about the concepts and background to Indonesian art. In Bali, I was briefed on the different aspect of Balinese paintings and art. The different brushstrokes for Sanur, Ubud, Batuan, etc. I spent some meandering through the art markets to glean a broad understanding of Balinese art today as opposed to 10 years ago.
I wanted to take a closer look at the wood carvings. My hosts arranged for me to spend 3 hrs sitting on a stool to watch an artist craft the image of the goddess Dewi Sri out of a wooden block. He's not quite done yet, not even halfway through. He said it would take another 2 days or about 12 hrs to finish the image that would be as tall as a human waist and would eventually possess life-like expressions. It's so therapeutic to watch each stroke of the knife shape and will the wood to the artist's fancy.
I'm not interested in purchasing the wood carvings of gods/goddesses/humans. Honestly, they creep me out, so I shall stick to admiring the process of creation and wherever they're placed instead of having one stare at me at home. But those of flowers, trees and naturalscapes ain't so scary. Those feel rather innocuous and pretty.
I'm not familiar with Indonesian art beyond viewing the stuff at the galleries in Magelang and Yogyakarta last year. I need to learn more about the concepts and background to Indonesian art. In Bali, I was briefed on the different aspect of Balinese paintings and art. The different brushstrokes for Sanur, Ubud, Batuan, etc. I spent some meandering through the art markets to glean a broad understanding of Balinese art today as opposed to 10 years ago.
I wanted to take a closer look at the wood carvings. My hosts arranged for me to spend 3 hrs sitting on a stool to watch an artist craft the image of the goddess Dewi Sri out of a wooden block. He's not quite done yet, not even halfway through. He said it would take another 2 days or about 12 hrs to finish the image that would be as tall as a human waist and would eventually possess life-like expressions. It's so therapeutic to watch each stroke of the knife shape and will the wood to the artist's fancy.
I'm not interested in purchasing the wood carvings of gods/goddesses/humans. Honestly, they creep me out, so I shall stick to admiring the process of creation and wherever they're placed instead of having one stare at me at home. But those of flowers, trees and naturalscapes ain't so scary. Those feel rather innocuous and pretty.
6 comments:
lugging home masks or godlike statues is a bit out of my comfort zone too. stay safe i guess. and to each his own on this. ;)
the scenery is breathtaking. very peaceful. love your header too.
Woohoo... U are now in another part of MY country!
Enjoy, Imp! ;)
i collect carvings in every size of the big horned owls in ubud :) but i think they are no longer in vogue for many years now.
tuti: :)
celcilia: Am enjoying it very much! the food's awesome.
sinlady: i haven't seen any horned owls- only because i wasn't looking out for them. that was in the vogue then? my girlfriend has tasked me to buy a solid wood dining table for her. i'm like...how to choose?! they're gigantic!
Imagine one of them sitting in a corner of the room, and then the eyes starting to blink. Eeks!! :D
jomel: EEEEKS!
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