the fabric of time and space: bali
October 30 to November 1, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 6:08 a.m.
77°. Sun rising. Purnati Center for the Arts, Sukawati Pranati Gianyar, Bali. Artist in Residence October 30 to November 2; November 22 to 30.
On this, other side, I feel at “home.” Awakening to familiar sounds: birds chirping; roosters crowing; dogs barking. But there's only one bar displaying Wi-Fi connection to the internet. Demand is greater than supply. No email transmissions or news reports days ahead of the Presidential Election. I'm hopeful the first woman will be chosen as President during this visit as the first woman was elected Indonesian Prime Minister during my first trip, in October 1999. The iPhone screen is set to weather reports from the wall beam. A tokay groaks gecko in rhythm to drum beats.
The length of visible light is 13 h 07m. Length of day, 12 h 24 m.
October 31 and November 1, continue below
The fabric of time and space
1998 commissioned by the Nature Conservancy
the fabric of time and space: bali
Monday, October 31, 2016 at 2:49 p.m.
89°. Sun. Change is also apparent in what you don't see (Hindu processions, Oct 31), walking along the road to Desar Pakraman Negari, Gianyar, Bali. A villager, maker of plaster masks and bee feeders poses with his two dogs next to a white Balinese hen with her chicks.
The length of visible light is 3 h 08 m; Length of day, 12 h 24 m
…continues below.
The fabric of time and space
1998 commissioned by the Nature Conservancy
the fabric of time and space: bali
Sunday, November 1 2016 at 9:14 p.m.
90°. Sun. Out of respect for Balinese tradition, I wear a sarong (as do my assistants) allowing entry into poora Pura Puseh Desa Negari Temple (Singapadu Sukawati Kabupaten Gianyar Bali) – a privilege not enjoyed in 1999 when I only viewed theatrical reenactments (select October 12th and 14th). We're the only outsiders: they allow my cameras to record rituals performed at their 50-year commemorative festival in ceremonies that incorporate animism, ancestor worship, and reverence for their God Bodhisattva (Buddhist) seeking balance and harmony in the cosmos. Offerings are made in the form of eggs, and sacrifices of roosters, hens, and chicks are also offered. Balinese Hinduism divides the cosmos into three layers the highest level is heaven or suarga, the abode of the Gods. Next is the world of man, buwah. Below this is Hell or bhur, where the demons live and where people's Spirits are punished for misdeeds on Earth. This tripartite division is mirrored in the human body (head, body, and feet) and reflected on the shrines found outside Balinese buildings.
The length of visible light is 13 h 08 m; Length of day, 12 h 25 m.
The fabric of time and space
1998 commissioned by the Nature Conservancy