Nyoman Nuarta's Sleeping Giant to Tower Over Bali - Jakarta Globe
Nyoman Nuarta's Sleeping Giant to Tower Over Bali
Nyoman Nuarta's latest, most challenging project (JG Photo/Richard Horstman)
Award-winning Balinese sculptor Nyoman Nuarta is often cited as Indonesia's most prominent contemporary artist. He has been responsible for numerous monumental public artworks in key positions throughout the country.
But one visionary project — the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Jimbaran, South Bali — has turned out to be the most challenging of his illustrious career.
"The idea of building GWK first came to mind in the late 1980s. At that time I was already a well-established sculptor, living in Bandung with my family," said the 61-year-old from Tabanan, Bali.
The GWK Cultural Park, set in limestone hills on a 60-hectare site, first began construction in 1996. The concept was devised by the GWK Foundation, headed by two ministers of the Suharto government, Nyoman and a few individuals and businessmen close to the former president.
Under the auspice of President Suharto, Nyoman was commissioned to create an enormous sculpture of the Hindu god Wisnu for GWK, as a cultural icon for Bali.
"The GWK concept was not only to build a giant sculpture, but we also hoped that we could introduce different cultures of the world through our main mission, the GWK World Cultural Forum.
The forum's goal is to educate people to become more understanding towards other cultures. So in the end, the main objective is world peace," said Nyoman, a former student of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in West Java.
"I use the image of Garuda and Lord Wisnu, a symbol of courage and loyalty. It is also Indonesia's coat of arms. Also, the Balinese consider Wisnu the preserver of life and responsible for cosmic balance and harmony. The statue, therefore, symbolizes a universal calling for all people in this world to play their part in nurturing and protecting the Earth."
In late August, hundreds of local residents and cultural enthusiasts attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the GWK statue marking a new chapter in the construction after a 16-year hiatus due to the fall of the Suharto government, the Indonesian economic crisis, internal conflicts and nervous investors.
Designed to be Indonesia's tallest monument and Bali's new cultural icon, the recommencement of the project has been made possible by property developer Alam Sutera Realty, which committed Rp 450 billion ($40 million) to finance the project. In addition, there are plans to develop the cultural park and integrated tourism facilities.
Made of copper and brass sheeting and a stainless-steel framework, the 22,000 square meters of the outer parts of the statue are being constructed in Nyoman's workshop in Bandung. They will be cut into 700 modules before being transported to Bali on 400 individual truck journeys before the sculpture will be assembled.
"This new Bali needs a different kind of cultural symbol and creative language," said Balinese culture expert, Jean Couteau. "The statue appropriately represents the cultural identity and character of the Balinese and Indonesians, as well as the nation's longing to contribute something meaningful to the global community."
Like Nyoman, Couteau believes that Bali cannot be forever bound to the past.
"Bali has undergone rapid transformation from being a traditional, agriculture-based island to a modern, urbanized society. Now there must be responsible consideration to the future development of Bali including the whole community. The process of modernization has focused on profit and exploitation and the resulting social and environmental complexities are on the whole being neglected," Couteau said.
At the beginning of the project Nyoman was well aware that the Balinese tourism industry relied too heavily on cultural heritage alone and this was unsettling for him.
"There were only minimal efforts from the government, private and public sectors to sustain the tourism industry. I understood that we needed to build a place where our heritage can be both protected and also be developed," he said. "I envision the complex to be a place where Balinese thinkers and artists can showcase their works and have a creative dialogue with their counterparts from across the globe."
When completed in 2015, GWK should be an inspiration for many people, he added, not just for the Balinese. Nyoman said 20 years had passed since the conception of the idea, and GWK has been the longest-lasting project in his life. "I have lost count on how much money and effort I have spent on this project, yet I must see it through, while keeping my promise to the Balinese people," Nyoman said.
"Despite the years of delays this project has taught me to be patient and to never give up on my dreams. Along with big dreams, will come big challenges. The best thing that you can do is remain focused and trust in your ability to succeed."
via bali - www.thejakartaglobe. com/features/nyoman-nuartas-sleeping-giant-to-tower-over-bali/
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