Bali Wiswakarma Museum Inaugurated, Minister Of PUPR Appreciates Artists In Infrastructure

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Wiswakarma Museum, which is a creative cultural center in Gianyar, Bali, was inaugurated on Sunday, June 18 yesterday.

The museum, which was initiated by a Balinese artist named I Ketut Pradnya, was also inaugurated directly by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono.

"I am honored to be given the opportunity to inaugurate this Wiswakarma Museum as a real effort to preserve Bali's architecture and culture. For that, I congratulate Mr. Ketut Pradnya and his extended family for this good Museum work because it turns out that they also collect rare plants," said Minister Basuki in a press release, quoted Monday, June 19.

In accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Minister Basuki said that currently and in the future infrastructure development in Indonesia must also pay attention to aesthetic value and environmental sustainability.

"So, at this time and in the future, we are in infrastructure development not only involving engineers, but also artists. The Ministry of PUPR is building a bridge at IKN Nusantara and the design is also from Balinese artists," he said.

Finally, Basuki appreciated the establishment of the Wiswakarma Museum to preserve and care for the creative culture in Bali and will invite the delegates of the World Water Forum (WWF) to visit the museum during the 2nd Stakeholders Consultation Meeting in October 2023 in Bali.

"Congratulations on the inauguration of the Wiswakarma Museum, I am proud and hope this can be a model for the sustainability of the nation's architecture and culture in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bali Artist and initiator of the Wiswakarma I Museum Ketut Pradnya said, in the era of urban culture disruption and modernization, Bali is expected to continue to maintain its cultural identity without closing itself off from digital developments.

"The Wiswakarma Museum is designed as a center for creative education and culture so that Balinese culture is not only documented by its successors, but is also preserved and distributed more widely," he said.

For the Balinese people, Wiswakarma is the architect god of the designer of the universe, as well as teachers from Balinese traditional women (the traditional Balinese architecture). All norms written in Balinese architecture texts are still adhered to and used as guidelines by the women.

Therefore, the Wiswakarma Museum was built as a presentation by artists for Bali and of course Indonesia.

"With this museum, we dedicate all creative work to become a darma for the homeland and ancestors of Bali, hopefully it means something to Bali and Indonesia," he added.