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Masks of Bali is the first complete study of the origins, history and the still living leg

MASKS OF BALI

Between Heaven and Hell

I Made Bandem & Bruce W. Carpenter
Photography by Doddy Obenk

A Cultural Milestones

Masks of Bali is the first complete study of the origins, history and the living legacy of Balinese mask dance, an ancient performance art that has existed for over a thousand years. Authored by the acclaimed mask dancer and scholar Prof. I Made Bandem and Indonesian art expert Bruce W. Carpenter, the book is a richly illustrated visual tour de force that includes rare historical photos, artworks and stunning contemporary images of living traditions. Magisterial in scope, it contains more than 600 masks, many of which are rare and unpublished, which were diligently sourced over a period of four years from temples, museums and private collections around the world. Beautifully designed and painstakingly researched by a team of experts, Masks of Bali marks a major contribution to the study of Balinese art and culture.

LIVING MASK TRADITIONS
AND MASTERPIECES

This magisterial two volume set of books with a foreword by Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia, is the standard work on an ancient Balinese artform that has fascinated the outside world since the early 20th century. Richly illustrated with more than one-thousand images, it represents the fruit of more than four years of dedicated work by a team of experts including photographer Doddy Obenk and designer Ni Luh Ketut Sukarniasih who have diligently researched archives and collections around the world. The main texts consist of an essay by I Made Bandem, a renowned Balinese dancer and scholar, on still living dancing traditions. This is supplemented by a detailed history, written by Bruce W. Carpenter, tracing back the origins of this remarkable performance art to the pre-Hindu era. Other texts concern sacred never before photographed masks and biographies of famous mask makers and dancers. The gallery, a separate volume is 360 pages in length. It is an illustrated compendium of Balinese masks from the 16th to 20th century sourced from great museum, institutional, private and temple collections with extensive captions and supplementary information. This book is not only for scholars or those specialized in Balinese studies but also a general audience including those interested in international performing arts, sculpture, Asian art and history.

Masks of Bali is the first complete study of the origins, history and the still living leg
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KEY SELLING POINTS

01

A lively introduction to Bali’s famed and still living mask dance tradition within the context of religion, culture and history.

02

Over one thousand images historical, contemporary, including paintings, illustrations, maps and documents.

03

The first book to illustrate the breadth, width and depth of centuries of Balinese mask making.

04

The standard work on the subject with photos of never before seening sacred masks.

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Talisman Publishing Pte Ltd

  • Two volumes, 612 pages full color

  • 280 X 300 mm (Portrait)

  • Format: Hardback with Slipcase

  • Pub Date: December 2022

  • Publish Price IDR 6.660.000

  • ISBN: 978-981-18-5251-0

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