Mystic Tamblingan
- Free shipping worldwide
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
ᝰ THE STORY
While Bali is often dubbed as ‘The Island of Gods’, it is also known as ‘The Island of a Thousand Temples’. It is said that there are more temples than houses, and some estimate there may be as many as 50,000. While this is hard to believe at first, such a number could be true and one cannot help but notice that temples are everywhere once we are on the island.
Balinese temples, also known as pura are significant architectural and spiritual structures found throughout the island. The architecture of Balinese temples is deeply intertwined with the island's unique blend of Hinduism, indigenous beliefs, and cultural practices.
While each temple seems to share common features, none of them are perfectly alike, given the anarchy that especially prevails in the North Balinese temples.
One of those that drew my attention was the obscure and ancient Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan. Renovated a couple of decades ago, the temple has maintained a great shape and is mostly characterized by a minimalist layout. While a most typical Balinese temple would come with two courtyards (outer court called Jaban; inner court called Dalam), this temple seems to have only one monumental gate, the padú raksa, a massive structure akin to the shape and design of the candí bentar (the split gate, which is here absent).
The most aesthetic part, perhaps, is found in the merus, those superimposed receding roofs made of thatch, always with an odd number (from three to eleven). They have an obvious resemblance with other pagodas found in Eastern countries like China or Japan. The more merus, the more sacred or important the temple seems to be. These roofs are arranged along an open shaft through which the gods are supposed to descend into, thus ensuring the connection between the earth and the divine.
The temple’s legend goes on to say that the lake’s water has spiritual and holy powers. At one time, it cured a plague that struck the surrounding villages. In the village’s local language, tamba means 'medicine' and elingang means 'spiritual ability', hence the direct translation of the lake into Lake Tamblingan.
I aimed to visually create the vibes and characteristics written above into a single frame while playing again with mysticism, timelessness, and minimalism. After some heavy rainfalls, the mist became so thick that even the sunlight didn’t dare to slip through the lake. It was so dark yet a distant light source from the horizon could be observed. The whole situation made it for a very moody shot and the different tones of dark greys playing with the wet greens highlight here the mysticism found around the lake. There was also an enormous energy residing there, a magical aura that one couldn’t explain but where most of us would feel very small at that time.
📍Buleleng, Bali 🗓 2024
❏ Fine Art Print
Printed on 210 gsm high-quality matte paper with 10-color digital inkjet technology. Can be matted and/or framed.
Available in the following dimension:
• 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”
❏ Aluminum Print
Printed on a sleek 3-mm, triple-layered aluminum composite material for a matte, reflection-free result using state-of-the-art printing method. Water-resistant, durable UV read-to-hang print suitable for sheltered, outdoor areas.
Available in the following dimension:
• 60 x 40 cm | 24 x 16”
Collector's Limited Edition of 15 copies worldwide.
Processed in Europe on one of the glossiest and most expensive photographic papers in the world—Fujiflex Crystal Archive.
The Fujiflex Crystal Archive paper is a special chromogenic paper with an ultra-high-gloss surface producing the highest professional photographic substrate currently available in the world. The quality of this paper is incomparable with any other papers on the market today.
This silver halide, true photographic printing material on a polyester base is produced to the highest gallery and competition standards. It is printed through a specialized process using laser exposure technology.
Your photograph is not printed like other papers with ink. It is instead exposed into the silver halide base with lasers and is then chemically processed.
The final result has to be seen to be believed as it leaves mica crystals on the paper that, when properly lit, produce a strikingly three-dimensional luxurious look and an appearance of being lit from behind.
The artist proposes 15 copies each available in the following sizes:
• 90 x 60 cm | 36 x 24”
• 150 x 100 cm | 60 x 40”
Such paper must be mounted on appropriate substrate and/or framed correctly to guarantee the best results.
Replica Edition
• Free shipping worldwide;
• Please allow up to 48 hours before your order is dispatched;
• Delivery time is about two to three working weeks depending on your country;
• Shipped in a sturdy mailing tube for the fine art prints and a protective cardboard box for the aluminum print;
• Fine art prints are sent by the post office from Indonesia while aluminum prints are processed and sent from Europe;
• A confirmation email is sent when the photo is shipped;
• Any custom and duty fees are the responsibility of the customer;
• Replica Edition prints come without white borders;
• Frame not included for the fine art prints
★ Original Edition
• Free shipping worldwide;
• Please allow up to 7 days before your order is dispatched;
• Delivery time is about two working weeks;
• Tracking available;
• Shipped in secure packaging handled by art professionals;
• Sent by UPS, FedEx, or DHL from Europe;
• A confirmation email is sent when the photo is shipped along with a digital Certificate of Authenticity and a handling and framing manual;
• Any custom and duty fees are the responsibility of the customer;
• Original Edition photographs come without white borders;
• Frame not included
