Curator Shaheen Merali had told me several months ago about an exceptional artists living there, Ashley Bickerton.
He belongs to the Young British Artists movement, known as YBA's, and happens to be living in Bali for 17 years now.
Being himself a surfer, he moved to the island that has perfect waves. Apparently the waves are very perfect due to their formation in Antarctica. When they arrive in Bali, they pass on top of a coral reef and that this why they break so beautifully.
So I went on the 21st to Bali. Arrived there at 3pm, went immediately to Ashley's house. It's somehow curious, I had been in that house in 2006, with Amir Rabik and Murni, visiting Asmaro Damais, that happens to be related to Ashley. Asmaro Damais is also the Curator of the Batik Museum in Pekalongan. Small world, this one.
Ashley is preparing a 200-full-colour-page-book about his whole career of 30 years + +, to come.
Amazing. So, we went through all the process together.
Being American-English by birth, he changes from British humour to American humour with extreme ease.
Great artist, it was really worth the money of the flight. We stayed together until 9pm, then one of my best friends from Yogya' 06, Made Surya joined us.
Made is one of those talented young artists that when I arrived in ISI Yogyakarta was already established. Now, Made makes performances through South East Asia and is looking forward arriving to Europe.
When I was at the Jogja National Museum, I went to the shop and bought a postcard of Made's work, a performance that I will put in my dissertation. I came here with a senior generation of artists, now I found the younger generation. I send the link, very poetic work this one.
Pak Jim Supangkat had told me there was an artists to meet in Bali too. So then I decided to come. This is Wayan Bendi, that is famous for his Batuan style, but referring to our days and issues. IRaq War, Bali Bombs, Tsunami' 04 all are revealed in his 5-meter-long paintings. Amazing. Since he could not speak a very good english, Made was the translator of our conversation.
On the way from Semyniack to Ubud, Made and me stoped in some contemporary art galleries of Bali: Biasain Seminyack, Darga in Sanur...as I see more works, I get more young artists. Nice. Made knows everybody because he works in Gaya Fusion, in Ubud.
In Ubud, I visted Pak Amir Rabik and Murni, old friends. I showed them my research, my Batik progress since 2006. It was very good to meet them again, Amir is one of the most cultivated persons I know.
On the 23rd I came back to Yogya at 7pm.
So, short, but extremely productive!
Terima kasih Made. without you it would have been so hard!
As I arrive, Christine Cocca gets me in the airport. We had two options: going to a batik exhibition or watchingOpera Jawa, a must see. I went for the second, as I am tired. This movie, filmed inside the Kraton of Solo and Yogya shows a contemporary reading of the classic epic, the Ramayana. Amazing production, all sang in Javanese, so impossible to understand (even for them), but subtitled in english. I recommend, a must see, specially for those who already know Java.
Back in Yogya, today is my last day here, and more to follow.
Salam, noor
PS. Just a quick remark: I have a blog since 2006 (still incomplete, sorry) with my "news" from Indo, Mozambique, London, Lisbon...It is in Portuguese, just now I am writing in English but the pictures speak for themselves!
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