Purnati supports artistic endeavors

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Gianyar, Bali

Nestled in one of Bali's famous art villages of Batuan in Gianyar, about a 45-minute drive from Ngurah Rai Airport in Kuta, lies a spacious art center which houses a myriad of activities.

More like a resort than an art center, Purnati promotes its well-equipped facilities to support the artistic endeavors of both domestic and international artists wanting to work in Bali.

Working in such a beautiful place in a lush rural area may probably be inspiring for any artist.

"It has been wonderful experience. I've learned a lot about Balinese culture and Indonesia," said Rick Lewis, an artist-in- residence from New York on his first visit to Bali. Now, Lewis is working at the center preparing his upcoming painting exhibition at the center next year.

Derived from the Balinese word Purnati, which literally means pure heart, it wants to serve as a center for the arts for artists from around the globe by encouraging exchanges of all kinds.

Restu Imansari, one of the center's founders, explained that the center hosts various workshops, retreats and resident artists.

Some past participants include contemporary choreographers from Belgium; photographers, painters and filmmakers from America; and a drumming ensemble from Japan.

The art center's daily activities perhaps differ slightly from those at other arts centers in Bali, Restu said. She explained that most local art centers depend on projects and cultural artists-in-residence and therefore can include such things as painting, dance rehearsal, meditation or seminars. However, the art center focused on the process, not the product.

"Purnati prefers to house explorations of theory, thoughts and concept, and encourages inter-cultural and inter-disciplinary collaboration," Restu said.

By helping musicians work with painters, for example, or Balinese with European, Purnati widens the creative possibilities of artists and facilitates their networking.

In an effort to introduce young people to this artistic process, Purnati also hosts weekly dance classes for children from local neighborhoods.

The center is equipped with a large amphitheater, a large conference room, a multi-purpose building which often serves as a gallery, private workshops for artists who stay at the center and three lumbung -- traditional Balinese rice barns, which were modified into star-hotel standard accommodations for those who want to spend their time working and holidaying in Bali.

"Our (the center's founders) main objective is to help artists strive in their respective fields," said Restu.

However, she refused to name the rest of the founders and the sources of the center's funding. She only said the center is funded by sponsors, occasional grants, the rental of facilities to arts-related groups, and a groups of Americans, Europeans and Indonesians who prefer to remain anonymous but who are deeply committed to the long-term expansion of the Asian arts community.

Any professional artist or organization who wishes to use Purnati's facilities must submit proposals of what they hope to accomplish here, she said. Then the art center selects those which seem the most promising.

"We are certain that any artists who stay here will afford them with a new vision and understanding," she said. It is the center's hope the artists will then go home to their country and enrich their communities there with knowledge of Indonesia's Arts and Culture.

Local artists are encouraged to participate in Purnati's activities in a hope to widen their horizons through interaction with international professionals.

"Balinese artists are given the first priority to work and to collaborate as well as to perform with and learn from anyone who stays here. Purnati serves as a meeting place for artists throughout all of Indonesia," said Restu, herself an accomplished dance choreographer.

For example, in August 2001, the center hosted a workshop and joint exhibition of work from both Balinese and Irian Jaya wood sculptors.