Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance Multimedia Tour

This is the linear video version of Bali Temple Explorer, an interactive film by Martin Percy that lets you explore a complex of three small temples located near the village of Bedulu in Bali. Interact with Bali Temple Explorer at the Asian Art Museum during the Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance exhibition (February 25--September 11, 2011) or visit: www.BaliTempleExplorer.com. The Asian Art Museum is deeply grateful to Martin Percy and unit9.

Ni Ketut Trima was returning to Bali for the cremation of her father, who had died six years ago, when her mother suddenly passed away. This film shows the cremation ceremony of both her parents and other members of the community village of Singakerta in central Bali. On view during Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance at the Asian Art Museum (February 25--September 11, 2011). For more information: http://www.asianart.org/Bali.htm

There are dozens of steps in the Balinese cremation process which can take many months depending on the wealth and status of the deceased. Wealthy people often have extremely elaborate pavilions and other implements that are part of this process. When the body finally makes it to the cremation grounds, there is a pavilion built there under which stands an animal-shaped coffin. The shape of the coffin is related to the caste of the person who has died. This video is on view at the Asian Art Museum during the Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance exhibition (February 25--September 11, 2011). For more information: http://www.asianart.org/Bali.htm

On view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011. The 131 artworks on view—many borrowed from international collections and never before seen in the U.S.—range from simple, yet deftly woven images of the rice goddess to elaborately carved and gilded chairs. There will be puppetry, gamelan performances, masked dances, and more to provide a museum experience as unique and mesmerizing as Bali itself. The Asian Art Museum is the exclusive venue for this exhibition. www.asianart.org/Bali.htm

Arjuna’s Meditation: An excerpt from the Mahabharata, performed by Shadowmaster I Wayan Narta

This video depicts two members of the Ubud royal family being carried on palanquins in a cremation procession. Being transported aloft like this proclaims the status of a ruler and reflects the tradition of transporting god images on smaller palanquins, like one located in the last gallery of this exhibition. The palanquin on view in the Bali exhibition at the Asian Art Museum features three elaborately painted panels depicting Arjuna, one of the heroes of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In the story, a demon threatens heaven and the Hindu god Indra seeks Arjuna's help. The back panel shows Arjuna, seated in the center, proving his worthiness by resisting the celestial maidens sent by Indra to distract him from his meditation. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

This video depicts a cremation ceremony for members of the Balinese royal family. There are dozens of steps in the Balinese cremation process which can take many months depending on the wealth and status of the deceased. Wealthy people often have extremely elaborate pavilions and other implements that are part of this process. When the body finally makes it to the cremation grounds, there is a pavilion built there under which stands an animal-shaped coffin. The shape of the coffin is related to the caste of the person who has died. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011. For more information: http://www.asianart.org/Bali.htm

Miguel Covarrubias, a Mexican artist famous in 1920s and 30s New York City for illustrating the covers of magazines like Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, made his first trip to Bali in 1930 with his wife Rose. His enthusiasm for Balinese culture made him a popular figure on the island and allowed him to move easily among the Balinese during the nine months he spent there. He sketched, painted and wrote about everything he saw in Bali, while his wife documented their experiences with photographs. Island of Bali, the book recounting his observations, which is still in print today, is one of the most important ethnographies of the island. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

The painting of the temple offering at the start of this video, on view at the Asian Art Museum during the Bali exhibition, is by Miguel Covarrubias. It is among the many offerings he must have seen as he traveled around the island of Bali. Offerings such as these are still an important part of ceremonial life in Bali to this day. Miguel Covarrubias, a Mexican artist famous in 1920s and 30s New York City for illustrating the covers of magazines like Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, made his first trip to Bali in 1930 with his wife Rose. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

Barong masks are often sold as souvenirs, but true ritual Barong are created using a particular type of wood with special ceremonies marking key points in the process. In this video, scholar I Wayan Dibia is at the home of mask carver I Wayan Tanguhh and describes the process of repairing a Barong mask. The Barong is a protective deity that can take on a variety of animal forms--lions, tigers, and boars are some of the more common images--and each one is addressed using a respectful title such as Great God or Great Lord. Many villages, especially in southern Bali, have their own Barong figure. The Barong mask is kept in a shrine within a temple and brought out for use. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

This video features Balinese dancer, Kompiang Metri Davies, discussing the symbolism of Balinese dance costumes. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

Watch Pak Wayan Sira carve a mask at his home in Gianyar, Bali. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

here are many performing arts in Bali, and one of the most famous today is a type of dance called Legong dancing which involves mostly young girls who are trained from a very young age. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.

The Barong is a protective deity that can take on a variety of animal forms--lions, tigers, and boars are some of the more common images--and each one is addressed using a respectful title such as Great God or Great Lord. Many villages, especially in southern Bali, have their own Barong figure. The Barong mask is kept in a shrine within a temple and brought out for use. The Barong is one of the most prominent images seen in the performing arts of Bali. This video features the Calonarang, a dance drama intended to chase away evil and purify a village.

This video features examples of different types of Balinese dance, costumes, and music. The Bali: Art, Ritual Performance exhibition is on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25--September 11, 2011.