The Life Of A Balinese Temple

Should a temple be seen as a work of art, its carvers as artists, its worshipers as art critics and patrons? What is a temple (and its art) to the people who make and use it? Noted anthropologist Hildred Geertz attempts to answer these and other questions in this unique look at transformations in material culture and social relations over time in a village temple in Bali. Throughout Geertz offers insightful glimpses into what the statues, structures, and designs of Pura Désa Batuan convey to those who worship there, deepening our understanding of how a village community evaluates workmanship and imagery. Following an introduction to the temple and villagers of Batuan, Geertz explores the problematics of the Western concept of "art" as a guiding framework in research. She goes on to outline the many different kinds of work—ideational as well as physical—undertaken in connection with the temple and the social institutions that enable, constrain, and motivate their creation. Finally, the "art-works" themselves are presented, set within the intricate sociocultural contexts of their making. Using the history of Batuan as the main framework for discussing each piece, Geertz looks at the carvings from the perspective of their makers, each generation occupying a different social situation. She confronts concepts such as "aesthetics," "representation," "sacredness," and "universality" and the dilemmas they create in field research and ethnographic writing. Recent temple carvings from the tumultuous and complex period that followed the expulsion of the Dutch and the increasing globalization and commercialization of Balinese society demonstrate yet again that any anthropology of art must also be historical.

Should a temple be seen as a work of art, its carvers as artists, its worshipers as art critics and patrons? What is a temple (and its art) to the people who make and use it? Noted anthropologist Hildred Geertz attempts to answer these and other questions in this unique look at transformations in material culture and social relations over time in a village temple in Bali. Throughout Geertz offers insightful glimpses into what the statues, structures, and designs of Pura Désa Batuan convey to those who worship there, deepening our understanding of how a village community evaluates workmanship and imagery. Following an introduction to the temple and villagers of Batuan, Geertz explores the problematics of the Western concept of "art" as a guiding framework in research. She goes on to outline the many different kinds of work—ideational as well as physical—undertaken in connection with the temple and the social institutions that enable, constrain, and motivate their creation. Finally, the "art-works" themselves are presented, set within the intricate sociocultural contexts of their making. Using the history of Batuan as the main framework for discussing each piece, Geertz looks at the carvings from the perspective of their makers, each generation occupying a different social situation. She confronts concepts such as "aesthetics," "representation," "sacredness," and "universality" and the dilemmas they create in field research and ethnographic writing. Recent temple carvings from the tumultuous and complex period that followed the expulsion of the Dutch and the increasing globalization and commercialization of Balinese society demonstrate yet again that any anthropology of art must also be historical.

A landmark study by one of the most distinguished anthropologists of Indonesia, it centers around the stories and paintings of Ida Bagus Made Togog (1913-1989), an artist and ritual specialist who played a significant role in the history of Balinese ethnography.

The rich religious tradition and architecture of Bali are on display in this informative guidebook. Bali is an island with literally tens of thousands of temples, a proliferation of religious architecture probably not equaled anywhere else in the world. Each temple is like a model of the universe in miniature, reflecting Balinese assumptions about the nature of the universe and man's place in relation to the gods, the ancestors, and the rest of creation. This book is intended as a general introduction to the architectural symbolism of the typical Balinese temple and the cosmological significance of its layout. The informative text is complemented by dozens of watercolor illustrations and will provide a useful guide to many of the temples that the reader is likely to visit during a stay on the island.

This easy to read introduction to Bali Indonesia tells of my journeys to this magical island and why a visit is highly recommended. You will learn about traditional healing, cremations, Balinese culture and get insight on how to travel to see the real Bali. Anyone planning a trip to Bali will get a introduction which will made their journey more meaningful and exciting. Through my personal stories during my many visits to Bali, I hope I will entice you to travel to this special destination and help you avoid getting caught in mindless travel. You will learn how to navigate the "Real Bali". Although you may not have a reservation to Bali yet, you can still prepare, dream, travel in your mind and get a taste of what your visit would be like. If you have already been to Bali this book will bring back wonderful memories you can relive and cherish. Testimonial by Alan Cohen “This inspiring book powerfully captures the beauty, mysticism, and culture of one of the most extraordinary places on the planet. Dr. Mel Borins has achieved a remarkable feat in a short space: revealing, honoring, and celebrating an island and people who bring a rare treasure to the planet. If you have never visited Bali, you will want to go. If you have visited, this book will deliver to you the delicious fragrance you remember. You will also find here keys to healing body, mind, and spirit. Many Kudos to Dr. Borins for blessing us with a vision that nourishes the soul.”

In Storytelling in Bali, Hildred Geertz analyzes over 200 texts of popular stories dictated in 1936 by the painters of Batuan, Bali. The tales reveal strong ambivalences in the tellers regarding the magical powers of kings, priests and healers.

"Bridges to the Ancestors effectively reveals the Lingsar festival as a site of cultural struggle as Harnish explores how history, identity, and power are constructed and negotiated. He addresses the fascinating interaction between music and myth and the forces of modernity, globalization, authenticity, tourism, religion, regionalism, and nationalism in maintaining "tradition.""--Jacket.