.jpg)
By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) September 2023
In the heart of the Greenlot housing development, adjacent to the enchanting Tanah Lot and a mere 15-minute drive from the captivating Canggu beach, resides a captivating sculpture that pays homage to traditional Balinese musicians. This striking piece of art gracefully adorns a tranquil reflector pool at the centre of the main roundabout.
My initial encounter with this artwork left me with a profound impression yet a perplexing void.
There was no plaque to provide insight into the gifted sculptor behind this creation, the visionary patron who facilitated its inception, or the compelling narrative that gave birth to its existence.
It struck me as rather peculiar that a housing project's developers, who undoubtedly commissioned this captivating sculpture, neglected to commemorate its significance with a plaque or an accompanying explanation.
As I ventured further into the area, I discovered similar sculptures of the same genre strategically placed at the development's entrance and other key locations within the Greenlot perimeter.
Determined to uncover the mystery, I inquired among the locals and residents, but to my surprise, not a soul possessed any knowledge about the sculptures' origins or their purpose. It seemed as though the community had grown accustomed to the presence of these remarkable artworks without ever seeking to unravel the captivating stories concealed within them.
This enigma left me pondering, drawing parallels to John Keats' timeless poem, "Ode on a Grecian Urn." Much like the art depicted on the urn, these Balinese musicians appeared to be a part of some alluring, unexplained pursuit initiated by the developers. Yet, unlike Keats' poetic vision, these musicians were forever ensconced in the artistic pond sculpted by an artisan of yesteryears.
During my daily walks past this sculpture, I, too, began to hear melodies in my mind's ear, reminiscent of Keats' verse: “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard/Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on; Not to the sensual ear, but, more endear'd/Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone.”
The next time you find yourself in Bali, I encourage you to explore Greenlot and stand before these alluring sculptures. Let the sweet music they evoke serenade your senses, and like me, wonder about the hidden tales and the mysteries that brought them to this captivating place. Why, indeed, were they placed here in the first instance?
(Location: 94P9+9H5, Greenlot Sambandha, Munggu, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351)
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
