Salvation of the soul

When art enters academic field (modern), art looks like a collection of narrow boxes filled with insulation barrier. People have to choose one of the most favorite box, whether it be painting, sculpture, or dance. It may be difficult to accept, when there are people who cultivate two or three fields at once. Those skilled in paintings will be called painters, while those skilled in dancing will be called dancers. Originally, this categorization was unknown in Balinese art tradition. In the Balinese language there is no term for art or artists. What is now called the ‘art’, at first was nothing more than a form of offerings (yadnya) sincere sacrifices for the gods, ancestors, rulers or society, and not an individual creativity.

Balinese culture is rich with various religious rituals that involve many people and always come with lively artistic activities. In general, the Balinese have undergone ritual ceremonies from the time they are in mother’s wombs, and then comes birth ceremony, Ngambuhin ceremony, threemonth ceremony, Ngotonan and so on up to the cremation ceremony. Religious and art go hand in hand and complement each other. Balinese artistic talent have been sharpened and stimulated right from the beginning.

In Balinese artistic tradition, an artist is a person who is talented in various fields of art. Performing art or visual art, melted into one in a ritual that brings a festive, beautiful and dynamic atmosphere. Art serves social and religious interests. Artist in Bali is an individual which is also part of a communal society.

Social and religious backgrounds of a Balinese are very influential in shaping the character of self and works of a Balinese artists nowadays. In a book entitled “ Salvation of the Soul: I Nyoman Erawan” talks about a Balinese maestro painter Nyoman Erawan, as a contemporary artist who has deep root in Balinese life. Raised in Bali’s very strong tradition, Erawan has a valuable asset for stepping into the international art field. The soul and spirit of Bali is not necessarily lost in his works although he had taste modern arts education modern in Yogyakarta, and get acquainted with the history of modern fine art. Erawan is an artist who does not want to be bound by categorization in modern art. As a painter he was also very active in producing very monumental performing art. He demolishes the boundaries between fine art by art performances. Many of his works inspired by various Balinese rituals.

This book is very interesting, presenting the other side of Balinese art that is usually categorized in Indonesian art mainstream. This book highlights Erawan’s artistic journey, complemented with documentation of his amazing works creating a very inspiring book for art enthusiasts and art observers.

Book Title : Salvation of the soul: I Nyoman Erawan
Reviewer: Agus Eka Cahyadi
Author: Ahmad Rizki Zaelani and Wayan Seriyoga Parta
Publisher : Books Meaning
Year: 2012
ISBN 9791145679, 9789791145671
Length : 237 pages

This book could be found at Komaneka Fine Art Gallery.