Art Centre of Bali Province is a masterpiece work of Balinese architect of this twentieth century. All buildings refer to the Balinese architecture along with its requirements, so when entering to this location, you will fell the traditional aura of Bali. Art Centre was founded on the idea of Prof.Dr.Ida Bagus Mantra. It means to conserve the Balinese art and culture. Situated on Jalan Nusa Indah, Sumerta Kelod Village, East Denpasar or some 1, 5 km east of Denpasar.

The Art Centre is established on 5 hectares land with three zonal divisions namely: sacred or tranquil zone encompassing Widya Kusuma Library building, Pepaosan Amerta Saraswati pavilion, Taman Beji Temple, Slonding Pavilion and Ayodya Stage. Demi tranquil zone consist of kiddies playground, electric transformer, water tower, Gili Pavilion, Bale Kambang (floating pavilion), Gajah Mina Bridge, Mandara Giri Bhuwana main exhibition hall, Krya Sembrani Occaishcrawa Building, Wantilan Hall, Kumbakarna Kerebut Sculpture, Sculpture Studio, Painting Studio and artist Dormitory.
Art Centre has two large size locations of art performing, namely Ardhacandra amphitheatre and Ksirarnawa closed stage. Ardhacandra measures 7, 2000 square meters with spectator capacity reaching 7,000 persons.

This open stage is utilized for colossal performance such as sendratari (dance and drama), drama gong, festival of gong kebyar and music. Meanwhile, at space underneath occurs showroom that made use of exhibiting handicraft product of small scale industry in Bali on annual Bali Art Festival.

Ksirarnawa was inaugurated on 17 July 1986. Extent of the building is 5,500 square meters with two floors. Upper floor is used for performance having capacity of 1,500 persons. In addition, Ksirarnawa is frequently used to hold seminar, conference and other meetings. This floor is equipped with two toilet room and four gazebos for relaxing. Eastern block of lower floor used for administration office, while that western for workshop room of painting, dance studio and theatre exercise.

Right in front of Ardhacandra open stage lies a small open stage. On the right side of Angsoka Stage used for small-scale presentation. Then on the left side occurs the Ratna Kanda Stage as a place to hold regular exercise of the Art Centre like healthy recreation and art activities.

Other than that, at northeast corner also resides an open stage named Ayodya Stage. This stage having the extent of 300 square meters is also intended to hold the presentation of traditional art like Kecak. There is also wantilan hall functioning as venue of performing, like Kecak Dance and regular activities of the Art Center on the Bali Art Festival. It has the capacity of 600 persons and equipped with toilet and make-up room.

If you make a visit to Art Center, the closes building to parking lot is meeting hall, cafeteria and outlet of communication service on the lower floor. From here, you can resume your promenade to the next location, through west pavement of Ksirarnawa Building by crossing the bridge. On this courtyard lies a Kumbakarna Sculpture conveying the faithfulness of Kumbakarna to his country (on Mahabrata epic).I Wayan Nyungkal from Tegalalang made that sculpture of 5 m height of timber in 1975.

North of wantilan hall lays a Sculpture Studio or Sculpture Workshop with the extent of 120 square meters. This building consists of two floors. Lower floor is used for sculpting demonstration and competition activities while the upper floor for retaining the works of demonstration and competition. In the midst of Bali Art festival execution, this building is taken advantage for exhibition of Balinese building Marquette.

Next to resides of Bale Panjang or Long Pavilion as a place to demonstrate painting activities. East of this building is Krya Sembrani Occaihcrawa as a place to hold occasional showcase like painting exhibition.

Then, east of it is the main exhibition hall named Mahudara Mandiri Giri Bhuvana. This building retains myriad collection of work art by artists who have an outstanding achievement and won local and central government awards. Upper floor of Room I in this building constitutes a place to reserve the painting collection belonging to classical and traditional style like that of Kamasan, Batuan, Ubud and Young Artist. Special collection of woodcarving and sculpting as well as antiquated statue that reaches hundreds of years is securely kept in the Room II.

Meanwhile, on the lower floor of Room III is retained several collection of handicrafts made of iron, silver, gold, woven clothes, tusk, egg and so forth. In the Room IV can be found sculpture and plaited handicraft exhibition, Room V painting exhibition of artist from several regions through out Bali.

At the easternmost tip of this building occurs floating pavilion as relaxing place. It is also beautifully completed with pond overgrown by colorful water lily and Gili Pavilion. Again, east of this complex you still can find kiddie’s playground that make the ambience of this Art Centre more bustling and lively.

Sacred or tranquil zone hold Widya Kusuma Library. It is located at upper floor collecting several selections of books on art and Indonesian culture, while on the lower floor is used for reading room intended for library visitors. On the performing of Bali Art Festival, it is used for make-up room.
Amerta Saraswati DiscussionPavilion is also located there were literary discussion and dharma wacana (Hindu sermon) held. In the south, right on the riverside and next to shady trees laid serenely the Taman Beji Temple as worshipping place for the office staff and the surrounding community.

Sourch : balicarholiday.com

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