Residents protest art performance

Residents protest art performance

UBUD, Bali: Noted Balinese artist Made Wianta was forced to
cut short a performance on a road in Lodtunduh village here on
Saturday due to a protest by local residents.

The evening art performance, titled The Road, was scheduled to
last for 30 minutes. However, it was called off after 13 minutes
when dozens of residents gathered to protest the closure of the
main street in the village. The residents said Wianta had blocked
the road without their approval.

"This is a public road and the organizer closed it down
without first consulting with local authorities," Wayan Pali, a
local figure, said, adding that he also objected to the use of
sacred Hindu symbols and ritual paraphernalia in the performance.

The art performance, which was aimed at raising people's
awareness of worsening traffic problems on Bali, involved a
cement mixer truck, several trucks used to lay asphalt, effigies
and a number of street vendors.

Gianyar Regent Tjokorda Budi Suryawan, who was Wianta's guest
at the performance, calmed the protesters.

In an one-hour meeting with local figures, the event's
organizing committee chairman, Yuda Bantono, offered an apology
to the residents.

Separately, Gianyar Police chief Supt. D.M. Parsana promised
to investigate allegations the artist misused religious symbols
in the performance. (zen/lup)