Bali artist claims fresh art ignored

Dicky Christanto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar   |  Fri, 06/27/2008 10:06 AM  |  Bali

As well as the glittering performances featured in the Bali Art Festival, the island's senior artists will receive congratulations and cash in an official ceremony today.

As well as Rp 5 million (US$555.50) and a trophy, the local administration will hand over health insurance memberships for nine aging artists, the head of local administration's cultural agency I Nyoman Nikanaya told The Jakarta Post Thursday.

There was also a promise to "always monitor their condition after the ceremony is over," he said.

Traditional music artists I Gde Deresta from Amlapura, I Dewa Gede Negara from Bangli and I Gusti Putu Gede Wedasmara from Denpasar, traditional dance artists I Gusti Ayu Raka Rasmi from Ubud, puppeteers I Ketut Wesen from Jembrana and I Nyoman Swiji from Penebel, traditional poet Gede Karsa from Singaraja and senior traditional drama actor Wayan Tembau Kariasa from Klungkung will all receive an award.

"We thank them for their endless dedications as artists who have genuinely improved the island's image over the years. Bali is forever in great debt to these people,"

He said the artists had been nominated by the regencies and then evaluated by cultural agency officials.

"We prioritized those artists whose works have been widely acknowledged by the people in their regions, and are now of senior age, as we feel that the cash will help them significantly," he said.

Contemporary music artist Dewa Ketut Alit said that while the support of senior artists was positive, the local administration had discriminated against younger artists.

"As we can all see the senior artists who receive the awards are those from popular arts, such as traditional music and puppet shows, something that the local government often uses as a political vehicle. But we as contemporary artists often receive different treatment and of course, less attention," he said.

A clear example, he recalled, was when local administration officials refused to help fund the training sessions of his group of Pengosekan music artists.

"It was simply because they considered the art we were working on too difficult to understand," he said.

Dialogue between cultural agency officials and contemporary artists could be the perfect avenue to help both sides reach better understanding of each other in the future.

"We only want to grow and live together in harmony as we, both popular and contemporary artists, have a common goal: to preserve Bali culture through our works."

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