AGENTS OF CHANGE...
HELLEN SJUHADA SUPPORTING THE URBAN ARTS IN BALI KATYA KASATKINA
FASHION, ART, SURF, LIFESTYLE BALI
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CONTENTS
SYLE
FEATURES
REVIEW
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PRODUCTS
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YOUNG AT ART: HELLEN SJUHADA
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CHANDI
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HOUSE OF CARDS
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SERAMBI ARTS ANTIDA SUPPORTING THE URBAN ARTS IN BALI
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NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
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DIVINE UNDERLAND.
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HOPE GROWS
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AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE: MADE BAYAK
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INTO THE HEART OF DARKNESS
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KATYA KASATKINA
COVER GIRL: KATYA KASATKINA PHOTOGRAPHY SPENCER HANSEN MAKE UP & HAIR JULHENRY FOR PAC
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EDITOR”S NOTE
EDITOR’S NOTE AGENTS OF CHANGE...
The air right now is so thick with it; you can almost cut through it with a knife – Transition. Change. Growth. All over Bali, new venues are springing up, new concepts of awareness are being brought out, and perhaps even in your own personal lives, you can sense that a tremendous change is looming ahead. If you believe in all the hype surrounding 2012, hey, maybe there’s some truth to it! Or maybe it’s a coincidence. Either way, there is no denying that we are collectively and individually always moving forward through transition, towards growth. In this issue of I-MAGAZINE, we team up with Bali International School students in their academic program called CAS, which stands for Creativity, Action, Service, and together, we delve into the current issues through Creativity, what we can do to take Action in order to be of Service. Youth has always been the AGENTS OF CHANGE, then and now. I share this page with Jade Wilenchik, BIS student, I-MAGAZINE guest editor, and fellow agent of change, because the words of youth are the catalysts of tomorrow.
-----------------------------------------“Youth has always been under a massive expectation to create - somehow it is always ‘up to us’ and not the adults who created the problems we face’ - but we face equal underestimation in our ability to produce. More and more, we’re recognizing that as a species we’re designed to grow, to connect, to act. Exploring the profiles of initiative and development that are taking the island by storm gives us a chance to showcase the effects of youth in action all over Bali. With every degree of change, we’re stimulating the environment around us to invite more ideas to spring from the minds of youth. This unique opportunity was given to us by those who DO believe in the ability of the younger generations to effect change, and for that we are grateful and also respect the faith you have in us. To the I-MAG team, Annisa the editor, and our CAS coordinator, we offer our thanks.” - Jade Wilenchik
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CREDITS
PUBLISHER
(PT MITRA MANDIRI SEMP URNA) TRAFFIC@WWMEDIA.ASIA REG. NO. 65/HK.HM/IV/BITD/2008
EDITOR ANNISA DHARMA
CONTRIBUTORS ANDREW, ANNISA, ASHIYA, MARIAH, TAMAM, JULHENRY, KAYTI, JADE, LARA, SARA, ZOE, MADDISON, LAWRENCE, ZUBER
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER OCHA (TRAFFIC@WWMEDIA.ASIA) DISTRIBUTION ADHI KET UT INTERN JAYA SALES ENQUIRIES P +62 857 9295 3502 SEMIN YAK - BA LI P + 62 361 863 79 79 VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE EDITOR’S AND PUBLISHER’S. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT ©2008 PT . MITRA MANDIRI SEMPURNA. THE PUBLISHER WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS ON IMAGES SUPPLIED BY ADVERTISERS AND, OR CONTRIBUTORS. WWW.I-MAG-ONLINE.COM
INSIDER VIEW Mantra on Jalan Petitenget is now open for lunch! // Bali Boat Shed opens its doors next to Sea Circus // High season has officially kicked off! Handfuls of pumpin’ parties to dance at this month - Fatboy Slim, Justice, Ladyhawke, Kitsune, Flight Facilities, and more! // Disko Afrika relocates to Mano Beach Cafe after Batu Belig Beach gets shut down // Coffee Seniman up in Ubud is fully operational and serves their coffee with a side of wit // Chandi comes up with bite-sized morsels of delicious food and is open from noon till midnight // The Tour de France starts! // The Laca Laca Margarita at Laca Laca Cantina Mexicana is one of our faves this month // Kendra Gallery of Contemporary Art showcases a sick art exhibition throughout July // Word of Mouth joins forces with Tantri Wulantri and creates wicked jewelry // The W Hotel has mad proper events up their sleeve in July
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“WELL I’VE BEEN AFRAID OF CHANGING ‘CAUSE I’VE BUILT MY LIFE AROUND YOU. BUT TIME MAKES YOU BOLDER, EVEN CHILDREN GET OLDER, AND I’M GETTING OLDER TOO...” - STEVIE NICKS
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I - RECOMMENDS
MKHANH EST AMOUREUSE Maikhanh is amoureuse [in love], with life, love, and fashion – and it shows in her work. The Bali-based Parisian comes out with a whole new collection to quench your aesthetic taste buds through her fashion line, MKHANH. “MKHANH is the Individual; brilliant in its duality, unique in its self expression. A contemporary fashion label, MKHANH is deeply rooted in modern international cultures. But its aesthetic remains; rudely chic, MKHANH is Désinvolte. Through our fashion and through our photos, we strive to tell the story of the Individual. Designing for the creatives, rebels and optimists. Solipsism, MKHANH’s debut collection, is the essence of the label. Creating boldness from introspection.” www.mkhanh.com
JUSTICE AT POTATOHEAD LADYHAWKE AND KITSUNE AT BEACH CLUB BEACHLIVE! 2012 The first of what is to become an annual beach music festival in Bali, BEACHLIVE! 2012 by ISMAYA Live showcases some of the most avant-garde names in music, such as Ladyhawke (Live Set), Flight Facilities (DJ Set + Live Vocals), Gildas Kitsune, Jerry Bouthier (Kitsune), and even more acts to be announced very soon. BEACHLIVE! 2012 will kick-start the toes-in-thesand party season on the island and is an event not to be missed! The event takes place on July 7 at Beachwalk Bali in Kuta.
Get ready to ignite and D.A.N.C.E. with Justice at one of the hippest hangout spots and party venues in Bali! Hit up PotatoHead Beach Club on July 26 to shake it like a polaroid picture to the French electronic music duo’s beats. This party will undoubtedly bring fans flockin’ to PotatoHead from all over the island and beyond, especially since there have been no announcements that the duo will play elsewhere in Indonesia. So 1 2 3 4 FIGHT! Justice is one of the most successful groups on Ed Banger Records and is known for incorporating a strong rock and indie influence into their music. PotatoHead Beach Club Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak
www.ismayalive.com
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I - RECOMMENDS
VULANTRI AT WORD OF MOUTH
BALI BOAT SHED If you like what you see at Sea Circus, you’ll love dropping by to their next door neighbor’s, Bali Boat Shed. The shop is the brainchild of Sea Circus’ own Josh and showcases a similar aesthetic: eclectic vintage and colorful quirk wrapped in a fresh breath of sunny idiosyncrasies. Bali Boat Shed Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak
Word of Mouth takes yet another talented designer under their wings; this time, the design-driven shop and eatery showcases VULANTRI by Tantri, unique contemporary jewelry pieces created by Tantri Wulantri. The brand introduces local craftsmanship to the world of contemporary jewelry design, VULANTRI is a more personal form of expression rather than just an ordinary fashion item, and as always, the brand is in-line with Word of Mouth’s design philosophy – an evolution of concept within a space, where everything has a story and comes to life. VULANTRI is available exclusively at Word of Mouth. Word of Mouth Kunti Arcade Shop no. 10 Jl. Kunti, no. 9 Seminyak
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FATBOY SLIM LANDS IN BALI British treasure and musical maverick Norman Cook lands in Bali on July 15 for a one-off day party of epic proportion at Potato Head Beach Club. Cook has been on a crazy worldwide whirlwind of outrageous events, from DJing on the Great Wall of China, in the Brazil Big Brother House, and at the Salvador Carnival in Bahia, to being invited by Carl Craig to headline the Detroit Movement Festival, DJing back to back with Carl Cox, and unwittingly becoming FA’s ‘Unofficial World Cup DJ’. Yet he shows no sign of stopping. This one-man party is ready to rock Bali to its foundations, as Norman spins his own freshly cooked brand of ‘party acid house’. Don’t miss out on the start of summer madness at Potato Head Beach Club, this party is all about fun, sun and the funk soul brother, Fatboy Slim. PotatoHead Beach Club Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak
PORTFOLIO
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PORTFOLIO
YOUNG AT ART: HELLEN SJUHADA She’s young, she’s creative, and she’s an artistic, optimistic nomad. Hellen Sjuhada tells us her story in her own words. ABOUT MY JOURNEY My education background is advertising. Later I tried to get a Master’s degree in Journalism in the UK but left after three months. Since then, I’ve been traveling so much, it’s as if my pants were on fire. In 2009 I got fellowship in South Africa and lived there. One year later, I moved back to Bali. The driving force was initially to surf, lay on the beach, then on the bottom of my holiday-esque list: to put more time into my art, not really to get into the industry. Shortly after I arrived I was \ commissioned to do a wall by a friend for his studio in Canggu. This fired up (with a vengeance) my slumbering painting skills, which I admit I hadn’t used in some time. ABOUT BALI First, it’s my home. And second, because for me, Bali is like one giant art gallery, just walking down a street there is art everywhere from the colorful drifted wood to hilarious signs on the street and full-blown painstakingly done amazing art. Every time I go to an exhibition or walk down the street I am reinspired. So I think Bali did change my passion for art and I guess my view of it too. The environment here is welcoming if you put yourself out there – even if it’s just a little bit, you will get a whole lot of opportunity back. ABOUT MY CREATIVE PROCESS When I was a kid, I started to create my own characters based on the images I saw on old posters, in the children book and movies. In terms of technique, I did my experiments and learned from my mistakes. Everything else that I need to know, I asked my friends – or Google, a very good friend. In terms of style, it just developed over time. ABOUT MY STYLE Over the years I learned to make ‘grown up’ art, but it’s just something I don’t feel is relevant for me, especially the political-theme art. I saw many artworks from big city talk about politics, dark and bitter social issues and how a country is fucked up. Maybe it has relevance to the people that are there, I get that, it just doesn’t apply to me. My father is from Ubud (it was a small town when I was a kid) and my mom is Portuguese - for her, life is about dancing and eating good food, so I didn’t grow up with that kind of feeling. I’m more interested in working on something surreal and dreamy. Life is too short to create such depressing art.
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PORTFOLIO
HELLEN SJUHADA PUTS PENCIL TO PAPER TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS… What does the word YOUTH look like in your perspective?
Illustrate your life five years from now.
What was the most recent dream you remember?
Happiness is…
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FEATURE
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PRODUCTS
Dress by Insight
Jewels by Shivaloka
Top by Palma
Bag by Bali Boa Shed
Jacket by Palma
Ring by Reva
Top by Betty Bu
Bag by Bali Boa Shed
Dress by k&i
Dress by Skin
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PRODUCTS
Tee by Drifter
Watch by Vestal
Tee by Drifter
Shorts by Insight
Tee by Electric
Tee by Moonrocks
Shorts by 69 Slam
Tee by Moonrocks
Shoes by Macbeth
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FEATURE
SERAMBI ARTS ANTIDA SUPPORTING THE URBAN ARTS IN BALI
munity that spoke her language and then discovered it was being forced to shut its doors. About six months ago I went to Serambi Arts Antida and found a close-knit community of artists, staff, and audience linked in creative harmony. This was such a close group of people, living for the arts of music, painting, photography, and writing. This, finally, was a community I wanted to belong to. I was inspired by the spirit in the young local indie musicians who were teenagers, teenagers like me. They just got up there and performed alongside break out bands from Bali, like Navicula, Nymphea, Dialog Dini Hari, and Geekssmile. So when I heard that this, my new home, Serambi Arts Antida, would have to close because the foreign investor who originally supported the venue now wants to turn the venue into something else, I was compelled to make a difference, to stop this from happening. There is simply no other place to see collective urban arts supported by the community. Serambi Arts Antida opened in 2010 as a local art sanggar, which in Indonesian means studio. It was like an art community center where local teens and artists are able to create original art and have the opportunity to perform and share their talent. Antida has allowed for all artists in Denpasar to expand their creativity, explore new kinds of art, and feel at home. Antida is not like other live music venues, like the bars and nightclubs where DJ’s just play top 40 songs, where everyone who goes there only cares about partying and drinking. Antida is probably the only place in Bali, which really allows for all forms of artforms to be expressed Serambi Arts Antida has put on many different kinds of events: Antida has hosted educational workshops lead by local and international artists and teachers in the different fields of arts. There have been music concerts, featuring rock and roll, grunge, world music,
WORDS BY: MADDISON LUSTY
The arts are a community’s voice: people sharing their experience with a wider audience through the expression of image, sound and action. Always something of the under dog barking on street corners, art becomes collective, becomes a movement and sometimes becomes mainstream but for many the street corner art, the alternative art movement, provides the only relief in a world that can’t understand their pleasure or hear their pain. Whether performer or participant the need to feel connected and inspired is a vital life force that keeps many young people seeking another sunrise. Venues that will support the vagaries of non-profit performers and experimental expression are rare and precious as Maddison Lusty discovered when she wandered into Serambi Arts, found a com-
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FEATURE
“Can’t we just have one corner just for us to share what we love and show high quality art, for the people and by the people?...”
jazz, Balinese gamelan and hip-hop. These diverse genres allow for everyone to enjoy the entertainment and facilities that Antida has to offer. There have also been many fundraising events for different community-based programs, such as HIV and AIDS education and environmental conservation. Serambi Arts Antida is in partnership with annual festival events, such as the Bali Spirit Festival, Bali Emerging Writers Festival, and Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, and they host special events with these organizations. These partnerships help to promote local and international literature and musical talent to the wider community of Denpasar. Some of the presenters at these festivals have even performed at Antida. The Bali Spirit Festival Showcase, held on the 17th of March was a huge success. This was a pre-festival event for one of the biggest festivals to happen in Bali. The showcase brought in a wide audience and was a great night for everyone, and because the world music genre was highlighted, everyone could realize the importance of music diversity in Bali.
They have also created a “street team” to keep the community alive and an action office. Contact saveantida@gmail.com to get more information. Antida is an urban arts venue that allows for the young teens, both Indonesian and foreign, to belong and become one, joined by the arts. Indonesian teens look for a way of expressing themselves and Antida was their voice, a voice already in danger of drowning in the rising tide of imported and imposed culture. Keeping the concept of Antida alive is vital to these voices, but they cannot do it alone. Maddison chose to join the fight for the survival of Serambi Arts as her CAS week project and became a key member of the organizing team. This required a huge commitment to seek practical ways of getting the message out and this article represents just one of her approaches to gain broader awareness of the importance of the need for communities to provide for a support Youth Culture.
Can’t we just have one corner just for us to share what we love and show high quality art, for the people and by the people? Antida is not just another place; it’s a home for many and part of an amazing community. It allows for life long friendships and talents to be created. Venues open and close in Bali, and around the world, all of the time, but this one, Serambi Arts, is so extremely important to the local youth and community of Bali, it is where they live and breathe the contemporary world of art that sustains them. To this end the artists and supporters of the venue have created a petition to show support to re-open Antida and be a platform for any fundraising ideas, recommendations for companies who can help.
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FEATURE
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FEATURE
HOPE GROWS
relationships with volunteers and willing to share their lives, gratitude and joy. Education is highly valued here and this is apparent in the brightly coloured posters and photos that splash across the walls. The children are taught a sense of responsibility and valuable life skills from a young age – chores are shared by all. Even the youngest are involved in preparing the daily meals. Far from being “just” an orphanage, the Seeds of Hope is one (very) large family unit.
WORDS BY: ZOE O’NEILL
As part of the school curriculum, Bali International School runs a program to encourage students to become Global Citizens with, among other attributes an awareness of others, tolerance and compassion. The involvement in the orphanage Seeds of Hope was begun by a now graduated BIS student and has been continued by a succession of committed and caring members of the schools senior school. Zoe O’Neill reveals their work and shares her observations.
Sandra and Tommy are the backbone of the entire organization, whilst older children help with caring for younger ones. Some children are orphans, others come from broken homes or families that cannot afford to educate them or even supply them with the basic needs to sustain life. Seeds of Hope provides an environment of nurturing and security for these children so they can grow and develop as they all deserve.
Fourteen young boys scramble out of a small Kijang, dressed in their swimming gear and stand expectantly before me. I can sense contained excitement and nervousness as I direct them to follow me to the school pool. Stretchy-snug water polo hats are pulled on, the water churns and the game begins.
For the past two years BIS students have worked closely with children from the Seeds of Hope, initiating activities that include swimming, football, teaching English and painting a mural. BIS students have also been active in fundraising events in order to donate funds that pay for everyday necessities such as food, educational supplies, toiletries and medical costs. It is a regular occurrence to see children from the orphanage on campus and taking advantage of the facilities there.
These boys, aged between 7-15 years, are visiting Bali International School (BIS) from Seeds of Hope Children’s Home, otherwise known as Panti Asuhan Benih Harapan. Seeds of Hope was founded in March 2001 by a couple, Tommy and his wife Sandra. Visiting the orphanage, you will often find Sandra in the courtyard amongst the buzz and activity of children of all ages. Although Sandra suffered a stroke just four months after the orphanage opened, she is the key organiser and communicator between the orphanage and volunteers.
Seeds of Hope provides Bali’s children with another opportunity in life, or a way to escape the poverty stricken life of their families. The efforts of Sandra and Tommy would not be possible without the help and support of volunteers. Take the time to learn more about Seeds of Hope Children’s Home and consider visiting because these children truly are the “seeds of hope”.
Currently, Seeds of Hope is responsible for over seventy children from the ages of two to twenty one. All of those who are eligible attend school. Sitting on the steps of one of the rooms, I can hear the pleasant melody of children making music and singing, the competitive cries of a football game in the yard, and a lively game of cards. The children at Seeds of Hope are special. They are open in their
Phone: 0361 439 723 Jl. Panji l No. 7 Br. Kwanji Dalung Kuta Utara
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FEATURE
AN ARTIST’S PERSPECTIVE: MADE BAYAK
WORDS BY: JADE WILENCHIK Born and raised in Bali, Made Bayak’s artwork follows the changes the island faces in its recent expansion. Pairing culture with conscience, the innovative artist creates installations and paintings throughout Bali, which address the problems he sees in its environment. Choosing to make a statement with both subject and material, he conveys Bali in a new light; beyond what’s advertised in the travel catalogues. With a global perspective and local sensibility, Made Bayak is generating awareness for the issues Bali faces the best way he knows how—through his art. So, who is Made Bayak? I was born Made Muliana, but my friends call me Bayak— there are just so many Made’s in Bali [laughs]. My art is about trying to speak about my culture here in Bali – the politics, the social issues, but from another point of view. What I mean to do is make some criticisms on all these things in Bali. What do you think of the island in its current state? There are a lot of good things here, a lot of great things. But slowly, it will become more difficult here, because so much happens here in Bali. The main
problem is the tourism industry, there’s a lot of business going on here. Too many people are thinking about materialism alone. In Tri Hita Karana philosophy, we respect our nature, respect each other as humans, and respect our creator, God. We’ve come very close to forgetting these things, as we see with the tourism industry making a lot of trash everywhere—we can see our land, we can see our beaches, all getting full of trash. It’s a small thing - maybe through art, maybe with something else, that I can speak about the situation in Bali. I make visual art and music, and though they are small things, I think it is the small things that help me communicate with the people around me. And the challenges you face in making your art? In terms of people here in Bali, they’re more familiar with traditional art. My art is harder for them to accept, but the more we explain its purpose, the more people will understand it. The hard thing is that a lot of people don’t want to wake themselves up, or to get woken up to reality. They’re all asleep, because there are a lot of good things to be had here in Bali. Good businesses, good jobs, a good life. But they need to think about the effects of the industry. What I feel now with my art is that it’s still hard to make people understand how to become aware of this situation in Bali. I don’t think it has to do with contemporary or traditional elements of art, but how the people want to learn about it and face truth. My visuals show you; the first time you see it, you’ll get it. Like I said, art is just a small thing, but if we can collaborate with other people – poets, musicians, whatever; a bigger community gives us a bigger audience. The tourism industry still plays a big role for Indonesia’s economy though. I think here in Bali, we can’t deny the tourism industry
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and its benefits, but we need to find a balance. The industry is still alive, but we have to create this awareness and take action to find the balance. We cannot stop the industry but we can teach these concepts of good and bad actions towards the environment in the community. I think everyone can have a perspective for positive change. Where do you think Bali is headed? It’s scary. Still though, I have to have hope for its future. In my recent paintings, I showcased a little dream about Bali, how it could be. Maybe Bali can get lost, but maybe that’s only my fear. I still have hope though, we can still fix it, there’s still room for positivity. The young people can always get involved, they can always make a change. Let’s wake up together and see, not just criticize but take some action. It doesn’t matter if you live in Bali or all over the world; it’s a universal problem. If you only criticize but don’t act, then there’s no point. There’s a lot we can do, and a lot of people with great initiative and ideas, but it all comes down to what you do. If you’re in education, teach about it. If you’re into art, paint about it. There are so many ways to share with our community, maybe not the global community, but it counts to start where you live, it pays to have the initiative to start with the people around you. Bali International School is privileged to work with a number of talented and creative members of the Balinese community in areas of music, art and the humanities. The school recognizes the importance of creating bonds to the local community and the mutual advantage to all in developing respect and friendships between all. Made Bayak has assisted the school in its Arts Program as well as coordinator of the school’s social art program of mural painting.
FEATURE
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FEATURE
INTO THE HEART OF DARKNESS
rim and back to Paltuding, where a truck collects their load. Most of the miners carry out this grueling journey twice a day, six days a week. In June, a small team of Bali International School students embarked on a four-day journey to Ijen, hoping to learn more about the place and the lives of the miners it sustains, and simultaneously destroys. We left in the morning and reached the Northwest port of Gilimanuk by midday. We then crossed the channel to Java by ferry, arriving at the port of Ketapang just in time - again - for midday, due to the time difference. We were then driven down the coast to a nearby hotel, finalizing our surveying strategy before getting an early night.
WORDS BY: LAWRENCE LILLEY AND ZUBER SINGH
The next morning, team members rose at 3:30 am - no mean feat for the average teenager - and packed into a suitably sturdy Jeep, transporting us up the neglected road to Paltuding. From there, we continued up on foot, reaching the crater rim in about two and a half hours, exhausted from the climb. The unexpected vista that splayed out before us, of the moon-like crater walls and sulfuric lake of flawless turquoise below, was breathtaking.
Remember the last time you felt worn out after a hard day’s work? Think again. Located in East Java, is Ijen Crater. Known locally as Kawah Ijen, it is one of the last running sites of manual sulfur mining to be found anywhere on Earth.
By that time of day, however, the sulfur fumes had already risen significantly, and because of an unfortunate change in the wind, the fumes began to rapidly ascend in our direction. And so it suddenly became a race against the wind, as we carefully hurried back along the rim, and the fumes encroached our path, threatening to engulf us in a noxious cloud. Thankfully, we managed to reach a safe distance, but our brief experience breathing in the gas was unbearable
The average day for one of the four hundred Ijen miners starts before dawn, hitching a bumpy truck ride from their village to Paltuding base camp. There, they begin the steep hike up to the crater rim at 2,300m above sea level, before descending into the crater. At the bottom, in the immediate vicinity of the fuming sulfur pipes, they fill up their baskets with around 70 kilos of sulfur. With this agonizing weight on their shoulders, they start the long journey up the crater
We headed back down to the weighing station, and interviewed the resting miners. We learned that their most important items besides
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FEATURE
“...what made the deepest impression on us were the miners themselves. The work they did was horrific, facing the sulfur clouds head on with squinted eyes while carrying more than their own weight in sulfur...”
are forced to push themselves to their physical limits and beyond in order to survive. Ijen seems like a different world altogether. We came to Ijen to discover more about the lives of the miners and found that what these men do in one day was far more than we could have possibly done. It was in this most unreal of places, that we had a startling reality check – not that this happens, but happens everywhere, not that these man are caring fathers, husbands and sons but that this is the only option for them to be these things…
their baskets are their clothing, specifically, footwear (boots and shoes, depending on their individual preference). They also commented that gas masks would be very helpful, but the most commonly available models are not suitable, preventing their ability to breath heavily and lasting only a few days. The main practiced compromise is to hold a cloth rag to their mouth. It was disconcerting to learn that some of the miners lacked even the most basic safety equipment. We found that many did not even have socks, doing their day’s work in bare feet. Also, many of the men had protruding shoulder muscles, due to years of carrying the heavy loads.
Lawrence organized this trip with his friends for their CAS week, having returned, they are taking the next step and organizing assistance in the form of clothing and safety gear for the miners of Kawah Ijen.
There are many things that we will remember from our experience, particularly the sore limbs and the relief we would feel at the sight of a bale ahead where we could rest. But what made the deepest impression on us were the miners themselves. The work they did was horrific, facing the sulfur clouds head on with squinted eyes while carrying more than their own weight in sulfur for kilometers up and down steep slopes, all on a daily basis. As we sat with them, they were happy to answer all of our questions, telling us their stories, laughing with us, offering their hospitality, and at very least exchanging a friendly greeting. It was humbling to see how these men could retain their humanity under such conditions. At heart, these people were just like us, but have had the misfortune to become part of a vicious cycle, which has plagued their families for generations. It was eye opening to see that this was happening just out of the reach of Bali and its luxuries, and that just beyond the veil we have built around ourselves. People world over still have to work in jobs like these in order to survive and we in our bubble survive by largely ignoring them. From our life of comfort in Bali it is hard to see a world where people
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PROFILE
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PROFILE
KATYA KASATKINA
WORDS BY: ANNISA PHOTOGRAPHIED BY SPENCER HANSEN MAKE UP & HAIR BY JULHENRY FOR PAC ALL GARMENTS BY IO/CO SHOES BY YAZ
Bohemian beauty. Multi-faceted maven. The face of fashion. Creator. Writer. Designer. Wine-lover. Some of the many faces of Katya Kasatkina. Hailing from Moscow but having been in Bali for almost five years now, Katya is no stranger to being in the Bali spotlight. She’s been photographed wrapped in some of the most beautiful designs that fashion has to offer, but for this issue of I-MAGAZINE, she shows us her more feral side, ensconced in a stoic light. A sight for sore eyes and a canvas for photographic finesse, Katya stands xxx above sea level, but her personality is as down to earth as it gets. You will never see her without a smile on her face and we gotta say, it’s contagious! I-MAGAZINE sits down with Katya Kasatkina to talk travel, timeless memories, and thrones.
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PROFILE
So you travel a lot. I-MAG alum and dear friend of ours, Alex V, recently left the island for Berlin. Random question, if you were given a chunk of the Berlin wall, what would you do with it? I would donate it to benefit a charity that focuses on political and social development. Anti-racism and anti-fascism organizations. [pauses to think] No, actually, you know what – I would give it back because I’d have no idea what the fuck to do with it! What is your earliest childhood memory? Taking walks with my Babuschka. We used to take long walks in the park around this public swimming pool and sometimes in the forest. My grandmother was always encouraging me to be one with nature – and that has influenced me very much to this day. What was the most memorable walk you had with Babuschka? I remember one day we walked to an old abandoned Orthodox church, it’s been restored now but back then it was still in ruins and looked ancient. I crawled inside a little cove in the church and found an old copper coin. It was marked 1827. I thought I found a treasure! Give us five words that describe yourself… Dreamer, traveller, smile, self-judgment, social. And seven labels that you love? Nipples Revolt, Vajra, BIASA, Shakuhachi, Aum Rudraksha, Uma & Leopold, and Pantheia.
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PROFILE [Not long after, Mantra bartender Tim Adams comes over to join our conversation.] I-MAG: So Tim, if you’d never met Katya, and she walks into your bar, sits down, and orders a drink, what do you think she’d order? Tim Adams: Something classic. Like a Negroni, topped with Prosecco. Katya: Actually, I’m more of a wine lover. Red. Like a nice Chianti. That’s my favorite. Katya, what are you currently obsessed with? Game of Thrones!!! Agreed! Which character do you relate with the most? Daenarys Targaryen. She does magic! But I think I’m most like Arya Stark – now if that girl also did magic, that would be fantastic! And what’s a very important issue for you at the moment? I feel like there is a shift of consciousness currently taking place. The cyclic nature of the female, which used to be held in such high regard in the beginning of time, is slowly being recognized again. There’s such a thick connection between nature and the feminine and it has been forgotten by our patriarchal society, but now the world is slowly coming back to awareness. What do you think of feminism? Feminism is a good concept but it has been applied in a totally wrong way. It’s a misused ideology. It shouldn’t be a female revolution, nor is it about power or an attack on men, but it’s about the balance of both female and male aspects to achieve a higher sense of being. Consciously harnessing feminine energy, not misusing or abusing it. So what’s a woman to do? Gather and be sisters. It’s about sharing, not competition.
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REVIEW
CHANDI
one impulse - you can have your Balinese duck and Italian pasta while giving back to the community.
WORDS BY: MARIAH
Chandi has recently celebrated their fourth anniversary with a bang, gathering people from the community to dance to beats served by Chandi’s very own G-Spot Dream Team, DJs GoldDigger and Stevie G – old time regulars on the Chandi decks – spinning the tunes you forgot you loved to sweat to. Chandi head chef and part founder, Agung Nugroho, alongside his wife, Kirsten Weymar, and their team of culinary crusaders have kept the restaurant and bar ever-evolving and always fresh with ideas and good, honest food. Bon appétit and matur suksema.
Chandi, the Indonesian fusion restaurant located on Jalan Laksmana in Seminyak, is now serving lunch. Chandi has garnered a flurry of attention since opening in 2008 due to their sublime cuisine and their unique business strategy - that of giving and giving. Chandi is run as a not-for-profit venture, supporting local organic produce, even paying farmers the full payment in advance and promising to accept whatever produce comes out of the ground. Lunch is served in the eating atelier upstairs, an experience in and of itself. A menu predominantly of small plates means you don’t have to cater to just
Chandi Jl. Laksmana, no. 72 Seminyak www.chandibali.com
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REVIEW
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FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHY ELISABETH WILLIS, WWW.ELISABETHWILLIS.COM HAIR & MAKE UP LUCILLE KORPONAY, WWW.KORPONAY.COM STYLING BY SARAH BIRCHLEY MODEL: BROOKE MONAHAN AT DALLYS ALL CLOTHING BY HOUSE OF CARDS Kickin’ it and wingin’ it, fresh off the boat from Brisbane, Ashiya sets up her House of Cards on our Bali shores, blowing a breath of fresh air to the fashion scene with her fusion of young and old school design. Keeping it vintage classic with a sliver of naïve innocence told through a design narrative of playful color palettes and patterns, House of Cards sets the tone for the island’s new wave of fresh faces in the fashion arena. www.houseofcardsthelabel.com (available now at Bali Boat Shed, next to BodyWorks, Seminyak)
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FASHION
This Page
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S HMOUP SP I CN G
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REVIEW
Opposite Page ‘Da Doo Run Run’ Tee & ‘Surfer Girl’ Short This Page ‘Little Bird’ Blouse & ‘Help Me Rohnda’ Pinafore Dress
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This Page ‘Wipe Out’ Playsuit Opposite Page Kona Coast Crop & Sweet Sunday Short
REVIEW
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
CANTEEN WARUNG OF GOOD FOOD Canteen is the latest warung to sprout up in Canggu. It gets its name from a grab bag of sources, referencing the wholesome, no-frills menu – something one would find in a canteen of yesteryear. Or it mu st be about the vessel hung from the hip for quenching one’s thirst; this one, obviously a homage to Ari Segafredo’s coffees. Perhaps more literally, it references the recycled drums that act as props for the timber tabletops, not to mention the one they use as a sign out front. Ibu Made has built a solid menu. It’s as if she grabbed the blender, added a cup full of her Balinese heritage and a pound of all the dishes she learned to cook while living in the UK, spiced it with tidbits taken from the cultural diversity of the friends they have and hit the pulse button. The medley of meals is as dazzling as the plethora of vintage surf memorabilia that adorns the walls, the main bar, even the roof. A word to the wise; try the Canteen ginger / mint lemonade and the lemongrass rending wrap. Heaven.
From a lush beachside club and a quaint taco bar to a warung of good home grub and a hip roadside bistro, here are a few new spots to hit up and hang out at this month!
Canteen Warung of Good Food Jl. Batu Bolong, no. 34a Canggu Open 7:30 - 5:30 Daily
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REVIEW
LACA LACA CANTINA MEXICANA
PETITENGET RESTAURANT
FINN’S BEACH CLUB
Just when we thought there could only be one Mexican joint that could satisfy our cravings for salsa and margaritas (you probably know which one we’re talking about), and after many a Mexican café popping up and failing to properly live up to its big bulla, a new addition to the roster has succeeded in making us ask for seconds. Located on Jalan Drupadi, Laca Laca is a cozy outdoors eatery that is as cute as it is yummy. The tacos carnitas, pork tacos with pineapple salsa, tops our list of must-try foods, and we can’t forget to mention their signature Laca Laca margarita, which is the perfect blend of tangy liquid goodness with just a pinch of fire to spice up your taste buds. You know it’s all bueno.
Serving French cuisine with a side of fine French décor, the new Petitenget Restaurant has proven to be a huge hit even at such a young age, no doubt a result of the charming spot’s je ne sais quoi. The café is tucked in a corner that leads to Petitenget Beach and boasts a fine selection of wine to complement its equally fine foods. All of this set amongst a backdrop of chic French doors, exquisitely classic dusty blue and white tiles, and vine-entwined railings. The Balinese duck confit salad is a mouth-watering treat that we highly recommend as a starter.
Down at the foot of the cliffs of Uluwatu, Finn’s Beach Club is a new option for those of you that want to enjoy a bubbly on the beach while immersed in luxury with a proper music playlist to keep you company. The lounge-y club is all thatched rooftops, billowing white drapery, and plush beach pillows; sandwiched between the sprawling Indian Ocean in front and the jutting rocks of the cliff side in the background. Many of the island’s most beautiful spots are a challenge to get to, probably for the better, and although the location of Finn’s Beach Club may seem like a feat to get to, their inclined elevator that slides vertically along the cliff saves you all the legwork and gets you down – or up – safely and in style.
Petitenget Restaurant Jl. Petitenget, Seminyak
Laca Laca Cantina Mexicana Jl. Drupadi, Seminyak
Finn’s Beach Club Semara Luxury Villa Resort Uluwatu Jl. Pantai Selatan Gau, Br. Wijaya Kusuma Uluwatu
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FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW CAMPBELL MAKE UP & HAIR BY JULHENRY FOR PAC ALL CLOTHNG BY TRENCH (www.trenchateler.com) LOCATION: DIVINE WONDERLAND MODEL: ELISSE FOR SO WANTED
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FASHION
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B E T T Y B U Wholesale / Retail Jl Laksmana No.13, Oberoi Jl Raya Seminyak No.24, Seminyak Jl Arjuna No.55, Jl 66, Legian Ph (0361) 730070 bettybucollection@hotmail.com
FEATURE
IF WISHES WERE BIRDS POEM BY MARIAH
If wishes were birds And rocks could sing I’d buy you a pretty piece of concrete And put it on a ring I’d grant you three wishes And put them in a cage Never to fly again Only to molt and expire of old age I’ve got chemical burns All through my brain I’ve got sparklers for thoughts Eyes the same You can see the whole show And come to the after-party But the cab-ride home to nowhere Tracing birds and your name on the cold window Is all mine. It’s not that I don’t love you It’s not that I don’t care It’s not that I can’t manage Your smell in the air It’s not that I’m broken Or incapable I just will not be moved From this route. Easy come easy go Easy to bed easy to rise
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Easy to drink easy to blow Easier to always and never know Water feels like nothing In the grip of fantasy White knight on a motorbike And I can’t feel my face I can’t feel the sea I can’t feel my pulse I can’t feel I can’t feel anything. I can only think. And I hate thinking. Black birds blather on White horses bathed in blood The whites of your eyes turn yellow Geckos chirp ‘nevermore’ Hibiscus spin in place Making pinwheels in the dark I trace my name in the smog and stars And then forget it Spotted dogs steal and shout We taste dirt and feathers Green and blue and purple and red and yellow If wishes were birds And rocks could sing I’d eat them whole and raw with soy sauce And fling stones in the drink
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