The Art of the Lesser Sundas

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 10/01/2006 9:41 AM | Life

Bruce W. Carpenter, Contributor, Sanur, Bali

This richly illustrated new book, The Art of the Lesser Sundas by Anthony F. Granucci, succeeds admirably in redressing the scant attention that has been given to the art and culture of the Lesser Sundas -- the string of islands that stretch east of Bali all the way to the coast of Irian Jaya and the southeast Moluccas, and which includes Flores, Sumba, Alor and Timor.

The book consists of two parts: the first contains five chapters that propose a new model for understanding the origins of Indonesian tribal art by tracing the migration of the early Austronesians -- the ancestors of today's Indonesians and Polynesians -- into the area, which became the cradle of proto-Polynesian art and culture and the launch pad for the exploration and settlement of the Pacific about 2,000 years ago.

Although the subject might sound rather dense, Granucci's narrative style and numerous amusing anecdotes makes it eminently readable. For those already interested in the topic, it also does much to explain the mysteries of the relationship between Indonesian Bronze Age objects and Melanesia's Lapida culture.

The second part of the book is a visual feast: a catalog of stunning art objects from the region that includes statues, textiles, jewelry, gold and silver objects as well as a rare collection of early metal statuettes, the remains of the vibrant Bronze Age tradition that once thrived in the region and survived in Alor well into the 20th century. Each object is accompanied by detailed captions which describe their use and function.

The book is also a love story, which began when Granucci arrived in Jakarta in the early 1970s as a young lawyer from San Francisco. At a time when few people showed much appreciation for Indonesian tribal art, Granucci began collecting bric--brac and the occasional treasures brought to his verandah by a colorful array of itinerant antique dealers, or tukang antik.

Another significant inspiration cited is Wija Wawo Runtu, the founder and owner of the renowned Tandjung Sari Hotel in Sanur, Bali, to whom the book is dedicated.

Although Granucci would leave Indonesia in the 1980s, his love for its art and culture and would only continue to grow along with his collection and a rising urge to pursue the life of a scholar. This would culminate in 2003, when he returned to university to complete a Masters in archaeology. His thesis focused on Indonesian Neolithic architecture, and he subsequently embarked on this book project, which was completed shortly after his death in December 2005.

As the first major book published on the subject in more than 75 years, The Art of the Lesser Sundas stands as an elegant testimony to a great man and his dedication to the art, history and people of the Lesser Sundas. All proceeds from its sales will be donated to the Anthony F. Granucci Foundation, which sponsors the work of young Indonesian archaeologists.

The publisher, Editions Didier Millet (EDM), also deserves special commendation for producing yet another outstanding book on Indonesian art and culture.

This limited edition is currently available for direct purchase from the EDM website (www.edmbooks.com) and select bookstores.

The reviewer is a leading expert, scholar and writer on Indonesian art.

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