Nyoman Nuarta's initial project was to build the world's largest statue as part of a culturally-themed park inspired by Bali and complete with entertainment venues, theatres, museums and facilities for international exchanges. Outwardly the size of the statue -140m, the highest in the world - was a claim of modernity and a means to attract the visitors' attention, but it also had a deeper meaning. To Nyoman Nuarta, tourism, if let loose, is deleterious. Making the local people the objects of outsiders' admiration, it creates habits of dependence that tend to stultify their creativity. It also has few economic benefits for the very people who are its soul: the Balinese villagers. Hence the necessity, as Nuarta sees it, to empower these people by harnessing tourism to their real needs. And how to do so? By creating a "culturally-themed park" whose revenues may be channelled back into culture through a network of support activities. As for the core of the complex, it should be emblematic of Bali, while dressed in a modern garb. Hence Nuarta's idea of combining Bali's best known iconographical theme, that of Garuda Wisnu, with the latest techniques of statue construction and entertainment.

There is no doubting Nuarta's ability in bringing to completion any large statue project. Educated at the Institute of Technology in Bandung (ITB), he was one of the founders of the Seni Rupa Baru (New Art Movement) in the middle 70s and earned recognition by exhibiting statues of "hollow-headed" military. The state later commissioned him to create numerous national monuments, in particular the monument of the Proclamation of Independence by the fathers of the nation Sukarno and Hatta. On the private side, though, Nuarta has continued producing personalised works in metal and polyester, in which he explores the themes of life and cosmic movement. Under the name of "Reflection", these works are presently exhibited (from November 14th to December 14th) at the Agung Rai Museum in Ubud.

Why did Nuarta choose Garuda Wisnu as the theme for his park and statue? In Bali, Wisnu is the Protector God, the one keeping the balance between Brahma, the God of Creation, and Siwa the Destroyer. In times of crisis, Wisnu is said to incarnate among the humans as Saviour of the world, usually under a king's guise. As for Garuda, whom Wisnu rides astride, he is the mythological carrier of Wisnu. He is also the keeper of the elixir of immortality, which he stole after defeating a long list of monsters - his own desires. The coupling of Garuda and Wisnu isthus a symbol of strength and control over one's demons, the conditions towards achieving ultimate Hindu deliverance: moksa.

There exists in Bali many types of Garuda Wisnu statues. The most common is a carving set in the middle of the roof structure, just underneath the ceiling. It is this one that Nyoman Nuarta has chosen as the model for his giant statue: thus in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana - the "Golden Garuda Wisnu" - it is not Nuarta the individual artist who is expressing himself, it is the island of Bali. His talent blends into the soul of his birthplace.

The statue of Garuda Wisnu will not at this stage be set atop the huge pedestal that is to be its final support in 2003, on completion of the whole 170ha project. At a height of 22m, it will be instead embedded from the waist up, Wisnu astride Garuda, into the natural surroundings. At the location of an ancient quarry, the complex has been cut from the limestone, and its main venues are surrounded by tall white rocks that call to mind more the wilderness of the American West than the Bukit Peninsula. The view promises to be amazing: statues of this size simply don't exist, and we'll have a close look at it, complete with all the features of the Hindu god and its mythical bird!! Add a 700 seat amphitheatre, the Museum GWK, a street theatre, four restaurants and an international cafe. On the entertainment side, while the amphitheatre will be the venue of original Balinese and international choreographed performances, the street theatre will be the soul of the complex, with uninterrupted street performances, happening art, pantomimes, handicraft demonstrations etc.

This "GWK 2000 Expo" complex will open its door to the public on the 16th of December. Two weeks later, a huge sunset to sunset event - the "Last Sunset of the Century - will celebrate the coming of the new Millennium and be broadcasted internationally through a network of 152 television stations. With the GWK, Bali is confidently looking to its future.

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