Video: Myth and Enchantment

Video: The Indonesian island of Bali is one of the world's most mythical and enchanting destinations, where art and life enjoy an inseparable relationship. The Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias' 1937 book, Island of Bali, sealed the West's fascination with the magical island. After Covarrubias, came generations of artists, writers and culture-minded travelers; foreign and Indonesian artists such as the Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprès, the Spanish maestro Antonio Blanco and the pioneering generation of Indonesian modern artists that included Affandi and Hendra Gunawan, all extensively painted scenes of Balinese life and culture. These paintings are infused with a rich, vibrant palette of colours unique to the region. As much as it held sway over travelers, the magical draw of Bali was very much furthered by the works of artists who came, saw and expressed visually aspects of life in Bali. It is very much the richness of Bali's cultural life -- the sophistication of its visual arts, music and drama, and the intricateness of its ritual and ceremonial life -- that provided a creative environment and boundless inspiration for artists.