Bali has many names like the ‘island of the gods’, The ‘last paradise’, and the ‘centre of the universe’
are yet more names for this truly beautiful tropical island inhabited
with artistic people and a dynamic society with unique arts and
ceremonies.
Bali has got the name of living museum. The
name was given by those experts and people visiting Bali confirmed
this statement. This was due to the fact that historical heritages and
ancient way of life are preserved well mixed and adopted in the daily
life of the society. One of positive attitude among Balinese is that
when they found any ancient artifacts or any ancient remains they will
preserve it in relation with religious ritual.
As of the nature of religious ritual related to any material,
it is considered sacred object and no one will risk to touch it
without special ceremony to be carried out before. That was, when
archaeologist made a research to read the inscriptions of ancient
king, the people had to make religious ritual before the reading, and
will be escorted by religious figures. Almost bigger part of movable
ancient heritages such as stone sculptures, bronze objects, inscriptions
are preserved in the temple.
They have made a good concept of preservation so until now we
have historical heritages still preserved well, but at the other hand
the historical facts are not in-site anymore, and this gives special
difficulty in developing the research. It is lucky also that the
people become more and more aware about the modern technique of
preservation and they one by one trust the government in preserving the
heritages.
With this new awareness, many ancient heritages have been
preserved in the museum. Started by Dutch scholars some real museum
were built to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Bali. Below are
some museums so far have been built in Bali.
There are many museums of this nature. To mention a few of them, at least there are 3 museums worth to note here.
Neka Museum
Open daily 8 AM – 5 PM.
Campuhan Raya Street, Ubud, Tel. 975074.
Located in Ubud, preserve and exhibit special various painting
style of Bali so far have been invented. This museum is owned
privately by Mr. Sutedja Neka, a Ubud artist. This museum is famous
among painters, anthropologist, and researcher of arts of the world.
Arma Museum
Open daily 9 AM – 6 PM.
Pengosekan Street, Ubud, Tel. 974228.
Known also as Agung Rai fine art Museum. Located in Ubud
exhibiting not only Balinese paintings styles but various painting
from other areas and even modern painting. It is owned by Mr. Anak
Agung Rai, an artist from Ubud.
Gunarsa Museum
Located in Klungkung city, exhibiting Kamasan painting style,
which some of them has been painted already 400 years ago. An
abstract painting by Mr. Gunarsa are also on display. Mr. Gunarsa is
an artist by education.
