In recent years, various cultural phenomena have surfaced in Bali. The injection of mega-capital by tourism could bring Balinese culture to the precarious edge of destruction.

The current situation does not reflect the original growth of art culture from the coastal and rural areas of Bali in the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries. When Dang Hyang Norartha executed 'tirta yatra' to build holy places and to implant ritual culture, he established a heritage for all Balinese people, a tradition that is now being threatened.

Even though strong opposition to the statue has been voiced, everyone seems to be conscious that it is impossible to stop the construction of this controversial statue. Balinese intellectual and cultural observers were shocked when the idea was introduced in 1993, and individuals such as Ir. Nyoman Gelebet, Doctor Anak Agung Made Djelantik, Mrs. Gedong Bagoes Oka, Drs. Putu Suata, and others expressed criticism. The GWK project came to a standstill, at least failing to be ready for the presentation of 'Golden Indonesia', alias the 50-year anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day.

It is likely, however, that GWK will find its moment of glory at some stage in the welcoming of the third millennium. GWK is expected to be the 'landmark' of Bali, like the 'Statue of Liberty' in America, which can be easily seen by approaching airplane passengers. Nyoman Nuarta has himself said that after the construction of the Tower of Pisa in 1350, there were no similar prestigious works of that dimension until the nineteenth century, with the construction of the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty.

Despite the criticism, the one who has stood behind this project, Nyoman Nuarta, has an international reputation, and the statue demonstrates remarkable technological sophistication. The fact that the Balinese, who are currently in a state of transition, cannot easily accept GWK can be compared to how they still refuse to accept the concept of 'traffic fly-overs' and a Java-Bali bridge. They agree one hundred percent with the idea introduced by the late governor of IB Mantra, of protecting the Balinese landscape from buildings more than the height of a coconut tree. Socio-psychologically, the society adheres to the cosmological view of Bali, which considers the island as a small universe, with Agung Mountain as the 'lingga'. If the Balinese people feel that something is not in accordance with the cosmological framework of their 'earth', the resistance becomes evident.

The mega statue GWK, however, is a huge cultural jump. From the viewpoint of those that see statues as sacred in the holy place, it will be problematic when the small GWK statues are sold in the art shops. Locals will also be confronted by the 125 metre tall GWK statue, which is significantly higher than the neighbouring sacred 'Uluwatu Temple'.

Criticism towards GWK has taken many forms. Nyoman Gelebet, an engineer who is known for his critical stance, considers GWK's southern position to be a problem. The ideal position according to Balinese cosmology is to the north. Doctor Anak Agung Made Djelantik has also criticised the statue from the viewpoint of how GWK and the other facilities around it will absorb the government budget for electricity, water supply, roads, and land which will, gradually, decrease the general levels of prosperity.

next page>>

[top]
[welcome page]

copyright © 1999 Bali Echo. All rights Reserved
site design by access bali online