AGUNG RAI MUSEUM OF ART AND HOLY WATER AT SEBATU

---

Arma was opened by the Indonesian Minister for education and culture. It is more than a museum, it is a centre for visual and performings arts and provides opportunities for the visitor to enjoy the collection of paintings and temporary exhibitions. To name just a few of the work exhibited: classical Kamasan paintings on tree bark; pieces by Banian artists of the '30 and '40's; the only works to be seen on Bali by 19th century Javanese artist Bastman and German painter, Walter Spies. Foreign artists who lived and worked in Bali are represented by, Willem Hofker, Rudolf Bonnet, Adrien Mayeur de Merpres and Willem Dooijewaard. The buildings are Balinese style, amidst gardens, lotus ponds and fountains. There is also an Arma Resort, located on the grounds along with two restaurants. It is surrounded by lush, green riice fields.

i went to Sebatu to experience the Balinese ritual of cleansing with holy water. This site was discovered five years ago and is primarily frequented by local Balinese. It was a long walk down and half way, it began raining. When it rains here, it rains! When we got to the river, we huddled in a covered building deciding what to do next! There were several Balinese waiting also. Finally decided, since we were going into the river, the rain didn't matter! Off we went, being careful not to slip and stepping, carefully, over the river rocks, we made our way to the two waterfalls where the purification takes place. Several Balinese woman went along with us and guided us through the process........when we came out, the rain had stopped. We changed our clothes and proceeded up to the parking lot. For whatever reason, the Balinese make their steps extra large and so it was quite an exercise going up!

To see all the photos, please scroll down.........

---

Photos

Golden Rice
Made Kedal '50, Teges Giangar

Stilll life and bird cage
'58; Wee Shooheong, Singapore

Part of woman, '15, Advullah, Java
Notice beautifully carved frame

Lovely!
For the longest time, I thought it real!

Kamasan, '40
Natural pigment on board, the frame is beautifully carved

Sebatu
waiting for the rain to stop

Comments

[Carlynn]

A Monday Hug
Dear Cookie, You must be feeling great to be off on such an adventure, and in the rain! So now you are purified along with your friends and those sweet Balinese ladies. Beautiful pieces of art and a lovely spot. It is a beautiful sunny day here in FL as it was yesterday. We are so blessed to have such wonderful weather. Keep well, sis, and keep these blogs coming! love, carlynn

[Cuz Peter]

Dear Cuz Cookie, I don\'t know if you know that the (older) brother Herb of your Aunt Miriam (my mother) spent many years living in Bali after WW II. As a US Naval officer he flew transport planes \"over the hump\" from India to supply the Allied armed forces fighting the Japanese in SW China and Burma. He fell in love with SE Asia and was there on and off until he died of cancer in the 1960s. With gaps of maybe 10 years or so, we saw him as he passed through NY on occasional trips back to the US. It\'s nice to see you enjoying the same people, art, and culture that must have induced him to live in Bali. Love to you, Peter

[Roberta]

Just love these blogs. You must be having a wonderful time. See you soon. R

[Kathy]

So did you feel different after the ritual bathing? And enjoy the remainder of your wonderful trip. If you are lucky, by the time you get back home the rest of the snow may have melted!