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“This pivotal publication documents the history of the island’s living artisanal tradition, co-authored by acclaimed dancer-scholar, Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem, and art historian, Bruce W. Carpenter. Prof. Dr I Made Bandem, a highly respected author, scholar and educator, Bandem is considered a world authority on Balinese dance and drama. He not only studies and observes, he is an acclaimed dancer himself. For the book, he has worked alongside Anglo-American art historian, Bruce W. Carpenter, an acknowledged expert in his field, who has also curated several museum exhibitions and co-authored of more than twenty volumes on the arts and culture of Indonesia. The Masks of Bali is a continuation of his determination to produce large and important books on long-neglected art forms in this archipelagic nation. Their insights and essays are opened by a foreword by Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia.” Read More

PERHAPS ONLY once in a generation are we fortunate to encounter a seminal publication so encompassing in its content that it transforms our perceptions of an art tradition we formerly took for granted or knew little. I Made Bandem and Bruce Carpenter's magnificent Masks ef Bali: Between Heaven and Hell, lavishly illustrated with photo­graphs by Doddy Obenk and designed by Ni Luh Ketut Sukarniasih, presented in a two-volume boxed set, is such a book. The co­authors bring to their writing an unique combination of personal experience and scholarly insight. Professor I Made Bandem, who comes from a lineage of renowned dancers, is among Bali's leading contemporary exponents of this sacred art form, that was offi­cially designated an Intangible World Heritage by UNESCO in 2015 (1). . Read More

An outstanding new book documenting Bali’s living mask traditions and masterpieces has recently been launched, co-authored by acclaimed dancer-scholar, Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem, and art historian, Bruce W. Carpenter.

Launched in Bali late December 2022 at the charming Tandjung Sari resort, followed by a launching at the Jakarta National Museum in March, this pivotal publication documents the history of the island’s living artisanal tradition. Read More

Masks of Bali: Between Heaven and Hell is a comprehensive study on Balinese masks. Created according to sacred protocols, masks or topeng are recognized as living beings that receive unique offerings every 210 days. Exquisitely carved from the fine-grained white timber mainly from the sacred Pulu tree Hindu mythology recounts the tree as a manifestation of a drop of Siwa's holy sperm. However, there is much confusion concerning what is and is not authentic traditional Balinese masks used for ritual theatrical means. This is especially true post-1970 with the introduction of foreign styles and hybrid creations in the mask-making epicenter of Mas village, Gianyar. One of the objectives of Masks of Bali: Between Heaven and Hell is to address this uncertainty and set the story straight for future generations. Read More

Co-authored by the acclaimed dancer-scholar, Prof. D.r IMade Bandem, and art historian, Bruce W. Carpenter, this luxury publication designed by Ni Luh Ketut Sukarniasih, features over 1000 illustrations including rare historical photos, artworks and stunning contemporary images of living traditions by Doddy Obenk who also oversaw the photography of hundreds of rare masks. Dating from the 15th to early 20th century, they were sourced from temples, palaces, museums and private collections around the world. The makers of the book have also been honoured with a heartfelt foreword penned by Joko Widodo, Read more 

SANUR - Seniman sekaligus cendikiawan Bali Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem meluncurkan buku terbarunya pada Selasa, 20 Desember 2022 bertempat di Tandjung Sari Hotel, Sanur. Buku yang diberi judul Masks of Bali: Between Heaven and Hell ini merupakan hasil kolaborasi dengan penulis serta ahli seni Indonesia, Bruce W. Carpenter yang sudah menulis lebih dari dua puluh buku tentang seni Indonesia di antaranya Indonesian Tribal Art (2015) dan Lempad of Bali: The Illuminating Line (2016). Dalam pidatonya Prof. Bandem menerangkan bahwa butuh proses kurang lebih empat tahun untuk merampungkan buku yang ia sebut sebagai mahakarya ini, proses panjang dimulai dari melakukan riset koleksi di museum-museum nasional hingga ke museum yang berada di Belanda dan Amerika. Dari sini Prof Bandem dan timnya yang bernama Tapel Lestari mengumpulkan dan mendata koleksi topeng Bali yang tersebar di penjuru dunia.Read More