Themed around “Nyepi”, a unique Balinese concept of the “day of
silence”, Ayana Estate’s Museum Saka, which showcases and celebrates art
expressions that reflect the island’s culture, mystic, and religion,
will open its doors on the island come March 2023.
“This has been an inspiration for the museum to be a meditative space
with its star-spangled ceiling and calling ambience,” said Ayana
Estate, noting that the name Saka has two meanings in Balinese.
One is “pillar”, denoting a strong foundation to support art and
cultural expressions, and the other is calendar, signalling the museum’s
role in connecting Bali’s past and present to give visitors an
experience that transcends time and space.
For the opening, the museum would showcase a sizeable collection of
large effigies of Balinese mythical beings, ‘Ogoh-ogoh’, a contemporary
community-based art that is often only seen once a year as part of
Balinese Day of Silence processions.
The 5,000sqm museum, located in Ayana Estate in Jimbaran, houses
eight galleries, an archive and library area, a screening room, a café,
and a merchandise store.
The museum’s key collection highlights 10 “Ogoh-ogoh” from prominent
local artists, including the works of Kedux and Gusman Surya.
“Presenting ogoh-ogoh in its contemporary expression but as a
messenger that is deeply rooted in Balinese culture, will allow visitors
to be immersed in the feeling and vibrancy of the Nyepi processions.
Ogoh-ogoh are created communally by the island’s youth. The creation
activities showcase Balinese spirit to preserve arts and culture,” said
Marlowe Bandem, a renowned Balinese culture archivist.
Museum Saka is set to form an intrinsic part of the integrated luxury
Ayana Estate, which supports its identity as a microcosm that provides
insights into the mysticism of Bali as well as a “must-visit destination
of its own”.