The acclaimed Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias and his wife Rose were among the first westerners to immortalize Bali in art. The two first traveled to Bali in 1930 and quickly became fascinated by Balinese life, particularly by rituals, offerings, and festivals. Covarrubias's 1937 book Island of Bali is a remarkable source of information about the art, ritual life, and customs of parts of Bali he had observed during the years he lived there.
In his painting Tanah Bali, which means “Land of Bali”, Covarrubias defines the striking geographical features of the island. A trail of volcanoes divides the land, with the two largest, Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung, dominating the east. Smoke rises from the still-active crater of Batur, while the sacred lake Danau Batur fills the volcano's huge collapsed crater, or caldera. Terraced rice fields descend the fertile slopes to the southern shores. The most sacred temple, Pura Besakih, is on the southern slope of Gunung Agung, the most sacred mountain in Bali. Other famous temples dot the island. You can see a replica of the famed work at Bvlgari Resort Bali.
Ubud’s first museum, Museum Puri Lukisan, is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Balinese art and culture. Embracing the past and present and surrounded by stunning gardens, many pieces in the museum’s collection are available for sale.
Located in Tabanan, Pura Luhur Batukaru is a Hindu temple from the 11th century and it is set on the southern slope of Mount Batukaru, Bali's second-highest volcano. The temple is one of nine kayangan jagat, or directional temples, meant to protect Bali from evil spirits. Originally built during the 11th century, Pura Luhur Batukaru was dedicated ...
Fans of theatre and dance must make time to see Devdan Show: Treasure of the Archipelago, a new performance “spectacular” that combines traditional Indonesian dance with modern dance, aerial acrobatics, extraordinary costumes and breathtaking special effects. The 90-minute show takes the audience on the whirlwind tour of the Indonesian archipelago, ...
Bali’s textiles are an important part of the its cultural heritage, in the past, traditional woven fabrics like songket were worn by the nobility as a class signifier in the royal courts. Today, caste-based restrictions no longer apply, but the songket remains a clear marker of status. Resplendent in shimmering silk and gold-wrapped threads, these ...