Spirit of Legong

Title: Spirit of Legong
Photo Credit/Source: https://sawidjistudio.com/2022/07/12/legong-rhapsody-a-dance-through-time/
Artist / contributor: Nyoman Butur Suantara ManButur
Genre: -
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In English

"My memories of the Legong dance.. growing up I see a lot of paintings of a dancer in costume. I tried to create a photograph of the dance that is like a painting.. but still has the spirit and movement of the dance.." ~Nyoman ‘Butur’ Suantara

Excerpt from article "Legong Rhapsody, a Dance Through Time" by Dewi Dian Reich.

We have a series of works by ManButur Suantara that singularly looks at one particular dance. The Legong Dance of Bali, 'Tari Legong Bali'. Balinese culture is full of beauty in so many respects. Wherever you turn you will find something rich and sumptuous in colour and also mystery. Its rituals and ceremony are profoundly deep. It draws the attention of the world. This is not the first time the dances of Bali is the object of art. Images depicting our culture is saturating mainstream media due to its power of influence towards a profitable industry. Tourism.

On the positive side this means the beauty of Balinese culture is recognised by many. I mention this because I wish to draw attention to something that might be overlooked. There is something really special to reflect on here that would be remiss not to point out. Purely for our artistic discussion. As a series in photography there are interesting aspects that we can learn from.

Read full article in image reference link.

In Balinese

In Indonesian

"Kenangan saya dengan tari Legong... di masa kecil, saya melihat banyak lukisan penari berkostum. Saya mencoba membuat foto tarian yang tampak seperti lukisan... tetapi masih menyisakan jiwa dan grak tariannya..." Nyoman "Butur" Suantara.

Kutipan dari artikel "Legong Rhapsody, a Dance Through Time" oleh Dewi Dian Reich.

Kami punya banyak karya ManButur Suantara yang sama-sama mengeksplorasi satu jenis tarian: Tari Legong Bali. Budaya Bali penuh dengan keindahan dalam berbagai wujud. Ke mana pun Anda memandang, Anda akan menemukan kekayaan yang penuh warna dan misteri. Ritual dan upacaranya amat dalam. Bali menarik perhatian dunia. Ini bukanlah kali pertama tarian Bali menjadi objek seni. Gambar-gambar yang melukiskan budaya memenuhi media utama karena kekuatan dan pengaruhnya terhadap industri profit: pariwisata.

Dari sisi positifnya, ini berarti bahwa keindahan budaya Bali dikagumi oleh banyak pihak. Saya menyebut ini karena saya ingin menarik perhatian saya pada sesuatu yang belum terungkap. Ada hal yang sangat spesial yang ingin saya nyatakan di sini dan sayang jika ditinggalkan. Ini sungguh-sungguh murni demi diskusi seni kita. Sebagai seri fotografi, ada aspek-aspek menarik yang bisa kita pelajari.

Baca artikel lengkapnya di tautan referensi gambar.