Month nine – Gypsy Caravan- “Star Galaxy for the World”- Bali

Bali at last again! Ninth Month on Gypsy Caravan

We have had quite a time getting back to Bali with Covid restrictions and all. It has taken five years. We had arranged a project with the Design Science Studio (Coheart 2) of the Buckminster Fuller Institute in 2021 to share the story of “Star Galaxy for the World” with a Dance school – Paripurna but this became a far away dream. Now in 2023 we are able to do the story as I am part of Coheart 3 of the Design Science Studio. Fortunately in 2022 story did become the beautiful animation by Julian Ramirez and I will put a link below. Also in 2022 story was shared on Topia ( see link below) and New Art City. Life went on for the story!

But now at long last in 2023 we are in Bali again. Dale and I are on a year long journey around the world that we call the Gypsy Caravan. We now are around gardens and rice fields and connection to nature is strong. Photo above is at Dewa and Desa’s AdiDarmapoolbar which as an infinity swimming pool where the Wrap Up party for our project with Paripurna will take place.

We met for dinner soon after we arrived with Karja who is a visionary artist who had his beginnings as Young Artist – As quoted in Life in Art Asia ” In 1959 when Arie Smit, an accomplished Dutch artist living in Penestanan began sharing art materials with, and teaching young boys in the village. This was the beginning of the “Young Artists” style, and at its height there was about 300 village practitioners. Colorful and fresh, it was very popular in the 1970’s as tourism was enjoying a revival.” He also remembers as a baby being give a paint brush. He is now an accomplished artist, professor and administrator in the Art Department at the college in Denpasaur. I had the privilege of collaborating with him in showing art and using his studio as a workshop space for our “Spirit of Writing and Art” which we held in Bali many years.

To my surprise at dinner Karja mentioned Buckminster Fuller came to Penestanan to built a bamboo dome structure and really liked and supported the Young Aritists whose work he purchased and their painting are now in the rooms of the Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur. He felt “the Indonesian Island people were the original planet landed people.”

But getting back to the Star Galaxy for the World in Bali . Feel so lucky to collaborate with I Made Sidia’s dance school Paripurna. Feel so privileged to be in Bali working with I Made Sidia .. we are doing an improv of “Star Galaxy for the World” . Dale has been collaborating on the project in many ways and documenting the project . We are also working also with Jack Paterson from Canada. In the story we will also share some of Buckminster Fuller philosophy – two famous ones – “let the world work for 100 % of humanity and all life” and his compassionate plea ” make it work for everyone or noone” I mentioned above Bucky loved Bali and came to the country many times too- inspired by it and contributing his energy and ideas.
Back to Paripurna. Paripurna has 230 students who come to dance class on Sunday. 12 students will tell the story. I Made Sidia leads the program and in continues to teach the traditonal dance and gamelan and family traditons taught to him by his father I Made Sijia. I first met I made Sijia’s family in Sweden in 1987 when we were both participating in a Globetree event where the environmental protection was a priority. We have worked together many times as we have had a common interest in the Earth’s welfare , co spirituality and global unity with positive changes. This time it is with this project I am doing with the Buckminster Fuller Institute… You can see a video below of some of the amazing work I Made Sijia, I Made Sidia and the Sangaar Paripurna have done internationally.

Star Galaxy for the World with I Made Sidia AT Paripurna is a collaboration to share values and goals using art activism. I Made Sidia welcomed us the first morning .Each child (230) was gifted their Dodoland Bird helmet to fly in their imaginations, dreams and to play in. The Storytellers will represent an important theme.. like Gratitude, Kindness, Peace, Creativity and Positive Change. While the story is being told two students dance in a traditional dance style to the themes and sign the magic words. As we go thru the story the energy field is raised and regenerated . A Wise one quotes one of Buckminster Fuller inspired quotes and they remind us of that we are part of the Whole. It goes not only into the inner depth connection of Being to find ones better self but to Becoming something greater for a better world.

Each pair dance the themes. Each of the themes empower individual to take Action for the world. Gratitude which the Balinese are involved in everyday with their offerings becomes Gratitude for the world. The Kindness to ourselves becomes Compassion for all living things. Peace is inner peace and also Peace for the world. Creativity is inner exploration and also Creativity to be creative for ourselves and also for the world with the world- becoming art activists. Positive Change is for ourselves and the planet Earth.

It will be an improv performance. We are gradually developing it and the final event is this Sunday December 3 .. my next post will show more of this.