Klub Kokos

News - Grand Opening

June 2001 Newsletter

Grand Opening
Ceremonies
School News
Staff/Guest News
Featured Recipe
(Noodle Soup with Vegetables)

We've finally made it! This month with the opening of the final stage of the building of KLUB KOKOS, the Gallery, the entire complex that began as a plan on paper back in 1993 was realised. I hope that those who have spent time with us over the past five years since the completion of our first bungalow (as well as others who may wish to visit us in the future) enjoy sharing with us some of the festivities of the big day.

Ngulapin (Blessing) Ceremony by the pemangku (village priest)

Kadek tries out the new guest internet & email service

The carved gallery sign finished with gold leaf

Many helped to decorate the front gallery entrance

Girls from Bangkiang Sidem perform the Welcome Dance

The Warrior Dance accompanied by the Gamelan Orchestra

Gung Rai officially opens the Art Gallery

Legong Kraton dance

Sari with Matasiwa

Cathy with her mother & three sisters

On 10 June 2001 people gathered from near and far to help us celebrate the Grand Opening with the launching of the inaugural exhibition of the KLUB KOKOS Art Gallery. This exhibition displays the works of the group of artists - Bali Kangin-Kauh Group - that Krishna has worked closely with for many years. For more details about the artists and a sample of their work please take a look at our gallery pages.

The major part of the construction of the gallery was finished earlier in the year. Before we could start using the building a Ngulapin (Blessing Ceremony) needed to be performed by the pemangku (village priest). This was carried out in February. Guests staying with us at KLUB KOKOS and the people involved in the building were invited to join in a Balinese banquet after the ceremony.

Then the gallery office was fitted out to provide our guests with access to the Internet and email while staying at KLUB KOKOS. Cathy began training one of the staff, Kadek Murdika, to learn some of the basics of using a computer to assist guests with getting on-line. At the same time shelving was made for the upstairs library, and the huge job of cataloguing over 3000 books and games began.

Outside, the paved road in front of KLUB KOKOS was completed. The sign for the KLUB KOKOS Galeri Seni (Art Gallery) was carved from teak in the same style as the café sign and erected in front of the gallery entrance on an auspicious day according to the Balinese Calendar.

On the morning of the big day it was 'all hands on deck', including the gang of 21 builders and a number of other people from the village came to decorate the gallery entrance in the traditional Balinese way. A penjor (decorative bamboo pole) was erected on either side of the main entrance, plus archways made from young coconut fronds. Festive umbrellas and cloth were added with a banner advertising the Grand Opening. Floral bouquets were delivered from different well-wishers for the success of the day, and these were added to the entrance to provide a most colourful display.

As guests arrived during the afternoon they were entertained by the music of the Bangkiang Sidem Gamelan Orchestra. Then a group of six young girls from the village performed the welcome dance Panyembrama in honour of all the people who had been invited for the Grand Opening. This was followed by the Baris Tunggal warrior dance, performed by a son of the head of the village. We were delighted to have these talented young people put on such a fine display.

A formal opening address was then given by one of Ubud's major art collectors and owner of the ARMA Museum of Art, Anak Agung Gdé Rai. Everyone moved around to the main gallery entrance to witness the official opening of the KLUB KOKOS Art Gallery. Guests were then able to view the 54 paintings hung for the inaugural exhibition, and talk with the artists themselves.

An evening feast was served while our niece, Dewi and two of her friends, provided entertainment as they performed the Legong Kraton dance.

In keeping with the meaning of the name Kangin-Kauh (East-West), the evening's entertainment progressed from traditional Balinese style to a performance of modern music, by the Matasiwa Group. This is a band made up of five of the Sudharsana family cousins, with our older daughter Sari as lead vocalist.

The Grand Opening was a huge success, made even grander for us because of the large involvement by the local community of Bangkiang Sidem in all of the building and preparations. We were also delighted to have so many of Cathy's Australian family in attendance.

[next - Ceremonies in Bangkiang Sidem & Ubud]

This page was last updated on June 19, 2001