On July and August of 2003, for the first time, 30-40 Swiss
On July and August of 2003, for the first time, 30-40 Swiss
JP/17/P03
Paradise. These cows are carefully "made in Bali", but with
"genes" brought in from Switzerland. A group of enthusiastic
Balinese and Swiss citizens residing in Bali, the Swiss Cows in
Bali committee has taken responsibility for the presence of these
animals in Bali. After their first public appearance, those cows
will be exposed and auctioned on August 9th at the spectacular
Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) cultural theme park on the Southern
peninsula of Bali.
The Swiss Cows in Bali project assembles a group of most
talented young Balinese artists originating from villages of
distinct painting styles, art communities, art schools as well as
individual artists. Together they have created a pictorial essay
of the rich cultural heritage, magic and tropical beauty of Bali.
A unique and stunning herd of cows never sighted before is soon
to be displayed publicly. They showcase the various styles of
Balinese paintings from the earth-tone, stylized wayang (puppet)
figures of Kamasan; the bright and fun young artist style of
Penestanan; the ornate, chiaroscuro of Batuan; the colorful, lush
and fleshy style of Pengosekan; to the more realistic-
naturalistic style of the academic young artists. All of them
convey the vibrant nature-culture of Bali.
At first some of these young artists curled with apprehension
upon seeing the task ahead-painting on these very unfamiliar
grounds, irregular canvases in the shapes of cows. After some
extra effort of encouragement and motivation, however, they stood
up to the challenge; and at the end were pleased and pleasantly
surprised with their works.
The Swiss Cows in Bali art project that is primarily aimed at
promoting and supporting the hardly-publicized works of these
highly talented young artists, unexpectedly receive much
enthusiastic response from a good number of the more celebrated
Balinese artists, the contemporary artists like Wianta, Sika,
Jirna, Budhiana, Karja, Supada, Darmika, Murni, Dana and several
others. They, too, want to breathe life to the cows with their
brush strokes. In addition, the well known Swiss artist, the line
master Stephan Spicher, who has been working in Bali from time to
time joins force.
The sustainability and quality of the various traditional
Balinese painting styles to a large degree depend on the amount
of support, promotion, and appreciation that the young
traditional painters receive. The Swiss Cows in Bali art project
is, therefore, committed to help those young artists through this
charity event in conjunction with the Rotary Club, Nusa Dua.
Hopefully, the commercial benefit generated from the upcoming
auction and from subsequent projects will enable us just to do
that.
Contact
Swiss Cows in Bali - tel : (+62) 361 292 489 - fax : (+62) 361
292 493 - email : contact@swisscowbali.com