Museums & Galleries
Many museums and galleries in Bali that displays various works of art from artists in Bali which spread throughout Bali as an example in Denpasar, Ubud, etc.
Denpasar
* Bali Museum - Jl. Letkol Wisnu
Open Tues. to Sun. 8.00 am - 3.00 pm
* Taman budaya Cultural Centre Jl. Nusa Indah
Open daily*, 8 am - 3 pm
Jimbaran / Nusa Dua
* Ganesha Gallery - Four Seasons Resort Bali
Open daily 10am-6pm
Sanur
* Museum Le Mayeur Jl. Hang Tuah
Open Sat. to Thurs; 8 am - 4 pm Fridays 8 am - 1.30 pm
Ubud
* Agung Rai Museum of Art Jl. Pengosekan
Open daily*, 9 am - 6 pm
* Gaya Gallery Jl. Raya Sayan
Open daily*, 9 am - 11pm
* Museum Rudana & Rudana Fine Art Gallery
Jl. Cok Rai Pudak, Peliatan
Open daily*, 9 am - 5 pm
* Neka Gallery Jl. Raya Ubud
Open daily*, 8 am -5 am
* Puri Lukisan Museum Jl. Raya Ubud
Open daily*, 8 am - 4 pm
* The Blanco Renaissance Museum Campuan,Ubud Open daily,9am-5pm.
* Genta Fine Art Gallery Jl. Raya Lodtunduh No. 1
Open daily*, 9 am - 5 pm
* Neka Art Museum Jl. Raya campuhan
Open daily*, 8 am - 5 pm
* Pengosekan Community of Artists Showroom Showroom Jl. pengosekan
Open daily*, 8 am - 4 pm
* Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women Jl. Sriwedari 2B Open daily*, 10 am - 5 pm
Dance & Drama
Dance and drama have historically played an important role in Balinese society. Through this medium, people learned about the tales of the Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic stories from Balinese history. The following are brief descriptions of some of the more well-known dance-dramas that can be seen at regular performances, throughout Bali.
Baris
This is a warrior’s dance. It is usually performed by men, either solo or in a group of five or more.
Barong & Rangda
This is basically a story about the struggle between good and evil. Good is personified by the Barong Keket, a strange and fun-loving creature in the shape of a shaggy semi-lion. Evil is represented by Rangda, a witch.
Kecak
The most famous of the Balinese dances, the Kecak, originated from the Sanghyang dance choirs, who chant a distinctive ‘kechak-kechak’ accompaniment. The Kecak as a dance developed in the 1930’s in the village of Bona, where it is still performed regularly.
Legong
This dance tells the story of Princess Rangkesari who is held captive against her will by King Lakesmi. Rangkesari’s brother, Prince Daha, gathers an army together to rescue his sister. The Legong is a very classical and graceful dance, always performed by prepubescent girls, who often are as young as eight or nine years old.
Sanghyang Trance Dances
The Sanghyang Dedari is performed by two girls and is very similar in style to the Legong. The main difference is that the girls are supposedly untrained and can keep in perfect time with each other, even though their eyes are firmly shut. In the Sanghyang Jaran, a boy dances around and through a fire, riding a coconut palm hobbyhorse. This is frequently called the ‘Fire Dance’. In both dances, a priest is always on hand to help bring the dancers out of their state of trance at the end of the performance.
Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet)
Wayang Kulit is one of the great story-telling traditions of the Javanese and Balinese. The Wayang show normally consists of a small 4-piece orchestra, which provides the musical accompaniment, around 60 ‘puppets’ carved out of flat pieces of water buffalo hide and the Dalang, or Puppet-master. Good characters normally speak in ancient ‘Kawi’ whereas evil or coarse characters speak Balinese.
For those of you interested in learning Balinese dance, there are classes available and viewers are welcome. Ask your hotel for details on scheduled classes or when it may be possible to watch Dr. I Wayan Rai S. teach at the Denpasar Institute for the Arts (ASTI).
|
