IWS Indonesia International Watercolour Festival Bali 2019-Artquarelle

IWS Indonesia took the initiative to organize a world-class watercolor painting exhibition aimed to show the progress of watercolor artworks in the global scale, which crerated an alternative to “the aesthetics of present and future watercolor” to sustain the artistic achievements in the past. The festival was from 1st to 7th August 2019, Bali, Indonesia. I was the only representative artist from Poland invited to the magical island of Bali, where my artwork was exhibited. I also participated in cultural and plein air programme. On Bali I presented watercolour painting Majestic 56x76 cm, Saunders Waterford 450g. It was a trip of my dreams. I met there amazing people, saw picturesque scenery, the place of rich culture and abundance of nature. I want to thank Agus Budyanto and IWS Indonesia team for the possibiliy to share love, harmony, friendship and peace through art. I met my art friends from Indonesia and I gave them small handmade prezzies- eco bags with my design linocuts. Because Bali became more eco friendly (no plastic, plastic bags, only eco and reusable straws)I thought that these gifts would come at handy. Thanks to this festival my works were rich in colours, vivid and energetic. During Artquarelle 2019 Bali festival I have painted many watercolour sketches as well as I exectued many art projects in watercolour and drypoint. I will describe and present them in the next post.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is home to over 700 grey long-tailed macaques. Also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, this natural sanctuary has paved pathways through a leafy nutmeg forest as well as several ancient temples under dense foliage. It’s a popular wildlife reserve in Bali thanks to its community-based management, location and ease of access.

Jatiluwih Village The village of Jatiluwih is one of the villages in the Tabanan region which has long been known for its excellent quality of rice. Located at the area 700 meters above sea level, making the atmosphere of this village so cool and beautiful. The land in this area is very fertile and decorated with rice fields with terraced structures and traditional "subak" irrigation systems which have been applied for centuries by local residents. The world also recognized the uniqueness and beauty of the village of Jatiluwih and awarded through UNESCO as one of the noble cultural heritage.

Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 metres above the waves. As one of the 6 key temples considered to be Bali's 'spiritual pillars.another important sea temple that graces the island's western coast.Without a doubt, what makes Uluwatu Temple spectacular is its high setting at the edge of a cliff and overlooking the waves of the Indian Ocean. Ulu means the ‘top’ or the ‘tip’ and watu is ‘stone’ or ‘rock’ in Balinese. Several archaeological remains found here prove the temple dates back to around the 10th century. There are 2 entrances to Uluwatu Temple, one from the south and the other from the north.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major Hindu Shaivite Shiva temple in Bali, Indonesia. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. Built in 1633, the temple is used for offerings and ceremonies dedicated to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess Dewi Danu, due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali. The 11-storey pelinggih meru in the complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvathi. Buddha's statue is also enshrined in this temple. This temple is also called the "Bali temple on the Lake" because it looks as if it is floating when the Bratan River rises

Rising from the rugged hills of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, the magnificent Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue stands watch over the island. The towering statue is Bali’s most iconic landmark and depicts the Hindu God Wisnu, atop his mount, the mythical eagle, Garuda. The Garuda is the national emblem of Indonesia, an enduring symbol of freedom from oppression. Soaring to a height of over 120 meters, this is one of the tallest monumental statues in the world, higher than both the Statue of Liberty and Christ the Redeemer. The statue makes a stunning central feature of GWK, a fascinating 60-hectare cultural park that draws visitors from around the globe and provides a tantalizing glimpse into Bali’s fascinating heritage through intriguing cultural performances, legendary folklore tales, immense sculptures, and dramatic cinematic presentation. Enjoy panoramic island views as you explore the park on foot or by Segway. Indulge in Indonesian heritage cuisine, immerse yourself in a land steeped in mythology, or plan your next big event in one of GWK’s epic venues. Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue depicts Wisnu riding Garuda. In Hindu mythology, Lord Wisnu is seen as the protector of the Universe, while his trusted companion, the mighty eagle-like Garuda represents loyalty and selfless devotion. Kencana means gold, and both are adorned in crowns of gold mosaic. The Garuda is also the national emblem of Indonesia and represents freedom. Designed by renowned Balinese artist Nyoman Nuarta, the statue is made of copper and brass and features 754 modules with 25 steel segments weighing in at a hefty 900 tons, with a steel weight of 1300 tons. The statue and pedestal is 120.9 meters high with a width of 64 meters thanks to Garuda’s wingspan.

Tenganan Pegringsingan is a Village that is located in the eastern part of Bali. Even among the highly spiritual villages in Bali, Tenganan Pegringsingan is still considered as a very unique and secluded one. In fact, this Village is one of the few Aga villages in Bali. Tenganan Pegringsingan is very special in terms of cultural heritage as it is almost free from any outside influence. The villagers are trying to keep their Village pure and clean. As a result, Tenganan Pegringsingan is highly unique, even compared to other exotic villages in Bali.

Village of Asak in Karangasem Regency- Rejang Asak If you want to see hundreds of girls dance around the villages in their best attire then you have to visit the village of Asak in Karangasem Regency on Manis Kuningan Day. Once every 210 day, a unique ritual is held in this village. Hundreds of Rejang dancers in their Payas Agung (grand attire) dance around the village (ngelawang), while dancing, they sing a prayer for the prosperity of the village. All the dancers are teenage girl or girls that have not married yet. They ceased to become dancers when they get married. The dancers dance around the village in file formation. The senior dancers dance in the front while the junior dancers dance on the back imitating the senior’s movements. The dancers are linked each to each by sash; a dancer holds the sash that is worn by the dancer in front of her.

Kecak is known in Indonesian as tari kecak, is a form of Balinese hindu dance and music drama that was developed in the 1930s in Bali, Indonesia. Since its creation it has been performed primarily by men, with the very first women's kecak group starting in 2006. The dance is based on the story of the Ramayana and is traditionally performed in temples and villages across Bali. The kecak dance is typically performed by about fifty to one hundred men wearing only loincloths; their upper bodies are left bare. They form concentric circles, in the middle of which is a traditional Balinese coconut oil lamp. First they move their bodies rhythmically to the left and to the right, chanting the words "chak ke-chak ke-chak ke-chak" continuously, in slow rhythm. Gradually the rhythm speeds up and by turns they lift their hands, trembling, into the air. The kecak dance is performed for dance-dramas and the story presented is taken from the Ramayana Hindu epic. The bare-chested male kecak chanters play the role of Rama's troops of Vanaras (apes) and Ravana's troops of Rakshasas (giants).