The Werdhi Budaya Art Centre was started in 1973 and finished in 1976: the largest and most complete in a series of cultural centres built throughout the archipelago by the Indonesian Government over the last decade. Designed by Bali's foremost architect, Ida Bagus Tugur, (also architect for Indonesia,s new National Art Gallery) the vast complex is, apart from its very real cultural function, a showplace for Balinese Temple and Palace Architecture at its most opulent. The open stage Arda Candra with its towering candi gate and the almost rococo main Art Museum, sprawling park, Balinese pavilions and follies have, become a regular architectural attraction.
Built on one of the few remaining coconut groves in central Denpasar, the centre has quickly become a busy forum for the performing and fine arts. With three Art Galleries and a host of stages, the Centre is only rivalled by Jakarta's Taman Ismail Marzuki as a venue for diverse and rapidly changing cultural programs. Since 1975 the Centre has been home to the islands Dance Academy (ASTI) a tertiary level Conservatorium, Dance and Drama School for traditional Balinese Performing arts. With the islands Art Scholl situated next door, the center's seminar halls and exhibition space are devoted to the encouragement and education of local art students.
The Balinese have long had a dream: to have a large-scale central venue, where they could hold their own, Balinese Cultural Events. And this dream after many years of waiting eventually became a reality with the construction of tall building designed Balinese architecture. This building, the Mahudara Mandhara Giri Bhuwaana, was inaugurated on the 14th February 1973, the first of a series of buildings covering five hectares. This Art Center, located at Nusa Indah Street, is also known by the Balinese name Werdhi Budaya.
Function of the Art Center Building
In the North is located the Gedung Kriya Uccaihsrawa building where the fine arts exhibition are held. Balinese and foreign artists exhibit there.
To The West of Gedung Kriya lies the two story Dewi Ratih Building. Which is used during the Bali Art Festival for an architectural exhibition on the first floor and a photography exhibition on the second floor.
But the largest structure (7200 m2) by far is the giant crescent shaped Ardha Candra Amphitheater. A magnificent Candi Kurung's gates, through which the dancers enter the stage, make up the background of the performances. The atmosphere is particularly impressive during the full moon or under the light of the projectors. This theatre, completed in 1977, can hold up to 600 people. Underneath the stage, facing North, West and ticketing offices and handicraft exhibition rooms for the various regencies of the island.
To the west of Ardha Candra Amphitheater is the Ksirarnawa closed theatre, which occupies a 5850 square meter surface on two floors. The theatre can contain up to 800 people, which is located on the second floor. The first one is occupied by the offices of the Art Center, a cafeteria, and several is also used for various handicraft exhibitions, the turn over of which is increasing from year to year, and they play a large role in the increase in non oil exports. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday.
This temple with decorative carving is famous for its intricacy and ingenuity. Dating from the Majapahit period, this originally was as old dynasty sanctuary (prasada) of Mengwi Royalty. The split gate and a 16-meter high tower inside the temple are constructed much like "Candi" in lava. The 64 stone seats, similar to megalithic ancestral shrines, commemorate warriors who died in battle.
The Ayung river is the longest and largest river in Bali, and along this river, white water rafting was first introduced in Bali. To experience rafting on the river Ayung's west side is amazing, for besides the enjoyment of challenging rapids, the panorama of this beautiful, intact nature area is highlighted by the appearance of wild animals along the rafting route such as big bats, black monkeys, magpies and more.
It is about 3 kilometers south of Bali International Airport Ngurah Rai. The fishing village of Kedonganan, at the northern part of the beach could be seen a traditional fish market and a great number of anchoring "Jukung" of traditional fishing boat which present an interesting view. To experience sailing around the gulf here by traditional sailing boat give us the picturesque image of west Balis crescent beach.
On the western coast of Kedonganan is the sandy shore contiguos to Kuta Beach. You can find traditional fishing boats here, such as the motorised outrigger canoes, which can be engaged for a trip in the sea.
These beautiful beach are several kilometers north of Kuta. Like its neighboring beaches, these area offers a refuge for surfers. There are also many facilities for tourist as the result of the Kuta north expansion.
Seminyak is a mixed tourist / residential area on the west coast of Bali just north of Kuta and Legian. Originally a separate township, this is now just another suburb of Kuta. This area is very popular with resident expatriates and land and accommodation prices are amongst the highest in Bali. Plenty of luxury spas and hotels abound. Owing to its high density of high end shopping, combined with the clustering of many fine eating establishments, it has rapidly become one of the most well known tourist areas on the island.
Other well known areas popular with tourists include Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and the Bukit Peninsula.
In addition to a few commercial strips with popular and lively restaurants, bars, and good crafts/furniture shops, there are a few notable establishments: Ku Dé Ta, which is a bar/restaurant with a cult following based on its beach side/semi-resort atmosphere that has earned it the title of number one party spot in various magazines, and Oberoi, which is an expensive hotel with a worldwide reputation. La Lucciola is a restaurant located in the north of Seminyak on the beach and has been in existence for over a decade.
Jalan Raya Seminyak (more often referred to as Jalan Legian), runs parallel with the beach, bisecting the district and acts as its main road artery.
