Cata Odata
When thinking of Bali’s premiere art and cultural destinations immediately the tourist mecca of Ubud springs to mind. For those treading the art map the well-known museums Puri Lukisan, Neka and ARMA (the Agung Rai Museum of Art) display fine collections of Balinese traditional art, along with some Indonesian modern and contemporary art.
Within the constantly evolving art landscape of Ubud, galleries and art spaces come and go. The post 2008 Indonesian art boom economics has taken its toll and has led to the closure of some big name fine art galleries in Bali. In recent years, however private and artist driven initiatives – art spaces – that operate outside of the commercial gallery model, have become ‘the’ essential art infrastructure behind the development of contemporary art on the island.
Ketemu Project Space
Attracting the non-commercial and experimental artists, thriving on dialogue and creativity, art spaces are plugged into social media (vital to the new paradigm of art organizations connecting them 24/7 to the global community, a bonus with the wealth of information available on the internet). You can check them out via Facebook or Instagram prior to your arrival and Google maps will help in finding the location. Two icons of Ubud must be mentioned, Sika Contemporary and Pranoto’s, here’s some recommendations………
Fifteen minutes north of Ubud, Jalan Sri Wedari, Junjungan, on the right side in the rice fields look for the big white installation “Not For Sale”. Balinese landowner, social activist, and artists Gede Sayur along with his friends established Luden House in 2009. Committed to art with a social and environmental conscience Luden began as an art space and gallery to support the development of contemporary art via exhibitions, workshops and events. “Not For Sale” evolved in 2010 in response to the alarming rate of Balinese agricultural land being sold for development and has since grown into a popular social movement, securing marking Luden House on the Bali map. When the Luden family are not organizing events, often for children, they are painting or creating art products from sustainable products and wearable’s to sell, with a percentage of sales going to local farmers associations.
Luden House and “Not For Sale”
Cata Odata in Penestanan introduces a new model of infrastructure to Bali combining artist and gallery management, residency programs, internships along with exhibitions and a community space for discussions and workshops. Born in 2014, the brainchild of two dedicated and hardworking East Javanese characters: Ratna Odata and Djunaidi Kenyut. Kenyut having many years experience as an exhibiting artist, and managing events and spaces in Bali and Surabaya. They promote Indonesian artists based in East Java and Bali while encouraging global connections and exchanges. Upcoming events include “Bare Journal #3” artist in residency program. This requires participating artists to create a daily journal, complete with their thoughts, ideas and sketches. These are then exhibited alongside their work to inspire deeper levels of connectivity between artists and the community, while granting insights into the machinations of the artists mind. Periodically they offer lodgings for those curious to know more about this young art space and its workings.
TiTian Art Space
The husband and wife team of Balinese artist Budi Agung Kuswara and Singaporean artist Samantha Tio drive Ketemu Project Space in Batu Bulan, 30 minutes south of Ubud. Dedicated to engaging a wider audience and individual sectors of the public arena, Ketemu embarks on large projects drawing upon their local, national and regional networks. Inviting artists and curators to participate in their artists in residency program Ketemu’s 2016 project, “Merayakan Murni” promises to be a landmark event. Celebrating Indonesia’s most important female artist Balinese painter I GAK Murniasih (1966-2006) who was instrumental in forging new thematic grounds in Balinese and Indonesian art. The project gathers artists and writers to create works in response to the legacy of Murni and will culminate in an exhibition in July.
Cata Odata during the opening of the exhibition “Distopia – 1000 Islands”
Launched 29 January 2016 in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the influential Pita Maha artists collective, the TiTian Bali Foundation is located at the TiTian Art Space in Jalan Bisma, Ubud. Driven by a revolutionary vision for Balinese art on the local and global stage, the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of Yayasan TiTian Bali Soemantri Widagdo says, “TiTian Bali is being founded in an effort to “reframe” the potential of Balinese visual arts with the belief that in order to flourish they need to be integrated into a creative economy.” Aiming to be the premier hub for Balinese visual arts by 2021, Yayasan TiTian Bali is building a new eco system for Balinese art for the 21st Century through education and new pathways of engagement.
Ketemu Project Space
Fast Facts:
Cata Odata
Call: +6281212126096
cataodata@gmail.com
Facebook: Cata Odata
Instagram: cata_odata
Located opposite the Pura Dalem temple in Penestanan Kelod, Ubud. Look for the big white building on the left. Featuring quarterly exhibitions and random feisty gatherings, the three level venue is always open and welcoming. Check out their online store of art products and wearable’s: www.arcimisi.com
TiTian Bali Art Space
Call: +6282214400200
Facebook: TiTian Art Space
Jalan Bisma #88, Ubud
swidagdo@yayasantitianbali.org
Travel way down to the end of Jalan Bisma and look for an aqua blue building on the left side. This brand new facility is a work in progress, an experimental playground and global launch pad for young talented Balinese artists. Backed by local and international foundations with members whose experience is second to none. On display in the gallery is some of the finest Balinese traditional and contemporary art in on the island.
Ketemu Project Space
Contact: +6282144097060
Facebook: Ketemu Project Space
Instagram: ketemu_project_ space
http://www.ketemuprojectspace.com
meet@ketemuprojectspace.com
Perumahan Taman Asri #3A
Batu Bulan, Gianyar
Head east 500 meters along Jalan Batuyang, on the right look for the entry to Perumahan Taman Asri. A savvy and professional team, with a compact and cosy facility. Regular events open to the public. Out to raise the bar in what’s possible within artist driven spaces in Bali.
Luden House
Call: +628122772137
Jalan Sri Wedari, Junjungan, Ubud.
gedesayur@yahoo.co.uk
Facebook: Ubud Luden House
Instagram: gede_sayur
A grassroots local art experience that brings social and environmental awareness to the fore. Regular events, big and small, a good time is always guaranteed. Look out for the soon to open Balinese warung with tasty local delicacies.
Words & Images: Richard Horstman
*Author’s note: No part of the written content of this website may be copied or reproduced in any form, including article links uploaded to other websites, for any commercial purposes without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2020
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