
I've just returned from beautiful Bali where I was lucky enough to study mask carving with master wood carvers. What an experience! Bali is a place that is primed for cultural interaction, and I'm happy to say that I was treated to a very unique version of that. I met some fellow artists and participated in a program run by the Dell'arte International School of Physical Theatre. This wonderful program places artists with local and highly skilled Balinese artists who invited us into their homes to teach us centuries - old skills. I joined artists/actors/teachers/designers and fellow mask makers from all over the world.
Bali is an enchanting place, filled with incense and offerings. It's also a highly ritualized place with an estimated 20 000 temples which are used almost daily. This culture of ritual is what drives the art of Bali, although you certainly can find enough finely carved tourist nik naks to fill a house with. Masks play an integral part of ritual in Bali and help tell the stories of Bali's living history.
Bali is an enchanting place, filled with incense and offerings. It's also a highly ritualized place with an estimated 20 000 temples which are used almost daily. This culture of ritual is what drives the art of Bali, although you certainly can find enough finely carved tourist nik naks to fill a house with. Masks play an integral part of ritual in Bali and help tell the stories of Bali's living history.

Here I am performing the dance of the Prime minister
during our final recital. We had daily dance classes where
we learned a simplified version of a portion of the Topeng, a dance normally performed during ceremonies. These dances are highly detailed and technical. A small look made with the mask brings it to life and makes it pop! "Small, small!" our teacher would say as we learned how the smallest movement can say much.
My time in Bali was absolutely incredible and I am already craftily planning my return. Some of my top experiences were attending private ceremonies to see mask dances performed for their true function, riding around on a scooter like the Balinese and eating endless amounts of fried rice.
A month in Bali is barely enough time to scratch the surface of a place with a culture that is highly coded and very complex. I couldn't ask for a better place to learn new skills (the palm trees helped). It can take a lifetime to truly master Balinese mask carving, but I'm in no real rush. As the Balinese say "Pelan, Pelan" - slowly, slowly.