'Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance,' Asian Art Museum

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
February 23, 2011


lion baron or animal deity

CALIFORNIA -- Bali, Art, Ritual, Performance opens Friday at the Asian Art Museum (February 25) is  richly textured and religious art exhibition. There are over 130 objects, including sculpture, paintings, and ritual objects, masks and costumes, photographs and much more. Dr. Jay Xu, director of the museum says the exhibition, "teaches visitors about Balinese history, religious beliefs and traditions, and artistic practice. Most importantly, it highlights ways in which the Balinese people integrate artworks, ritual, and performance in their daily activities. It poses questions about cultural authenticity, adaptation, and persistence. And it encourages a new evaluation of perishable materials used in ritual artistic practice." The museum's education department has involved the Bay Area Balinese community and artists from Bali in offering demonstrations and performances of some of the ritual and performing arts of Bali during the course of the exhibition. Additionally, the museums has published a 376-page, fully illustrated catalogue to accompany the show. [link]