Villa Ramadewa
December 28th, 2011
Chai Villa
December 23rd, 2011
Bahagia
December 22nd, 2011
Alice 2
December 9th, 2011
Bali Art and Craft
Art is omnipresent in Bali and works of art and craft abound. So intrinsically woven is art in the everyday life of the people of Bali that even the simplest of activities are carried out with precision and care; simply witness the little offering trays thrown to the demons each day and you will see that each piece is a throw away work of art. Whether it is the penjor, or the long decorated bamboo poles planted in each courtyard during festivals or the spectacular pyramids of flowers, fruit, and cakes as offerings for the gods, Balinese art is on display everywhere.
Balinese paintings
Traditionally Balinese paintings were limited to three kinds: langse, iders-iders and calendars. Langse are the beautiful curtain hangings in temples and palaces. Iders-iders constitute the scroll paintings, again seen in temples. Calendars depict the astrological signs and the auspicious days of each month. Things changed after World War I and the arrivals of westerners brought in new ideas opening up new schools of painting. In 1930s a new style emerged with the encouragement from the Dutch painter Aries Smit who formed the Young Artists group.
Wood carving
The Balinese sculpture with wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Visitors to Bali can see on display traditional ornate carved doors, carved figures of gods, or souvenir items in craft shops. The wood carving centers in Bali include Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu.
Mask carving
An extremely high level of expertise goes into producing the masks that are used in dances during temple ceremonies. Masks of Barong and Rangda are opulently painted and assembled with real hair, enormous teeth, and bulging eyes. The mask carving center of Bali is Mas and Puaya.
Stone carving
Soft volcanic rock is used for stone carving. Stone carving art is on display in the distinctive split gates, swirling stone friezes, and mythological statuary. The centers for stone carving are Kapal and Batubulan.
Jewelry
Bali is also famous for its jewelry. Most of Balinese jewelry is handmade, thus rarely involving casting techniques or the usage of silver. Silver is mined in Bali near Singaraja and used for filigree and other traditional silver work. The village of Celuk is known for its rings, bracelets, necklaces, pins, and other objects of silver while Kamasan is famous for traditional gold and silver jewelry.
Textiles
Bali's own home-produced textile is a weft ikat called endek. Authentic ikat is made of silk but cotton and synthetic yarns are also widely used. Another popular fabric is the kain prada, fabrics woven of silk or cotton and decorated with silver or gold threads or gold leaf. These colorful kerchiefs are worn by temple girls during festival ceremonies.