Bali Hand Gestures

Isn't it interesting how one word keeps popping into your view...even though you had no interest in the place or item?

As a cool temperature person (how I hate heat and humidity) I tend to want to travel to cool destinations. Hence, my need to still get to Alaska, Russia, Antarctica etc.

Islands hold no appeal for me. I see the swaying palm trees and my hair starts to automatically frizz. And I get cranky. I admit it.

Michael and Judy are teaching in Bali next year. What an artistic adventure that would be! I was wondering where exactly Bali was. There are thousands of little islands. So I did a little search online.

A few days later I was reviewing a 1926 issue of a French art magazine I bought in Paris. I fell in love with these beautiful watercolours of women, especially because the magazine used gold foil to accent the images. Since the magazines are in French, I sometimes don't read much of the information..it takes me so long to translate, but in this case I had to know who Tyra de Kleen was. Sure enough, there was a small connection:

In the Spring of 1923, Miss Tyra de Kleen, the Swedish artist and traveler, held an exhibition of her watercolor drawings at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. They illustrated the ceremonial dances of the people, and the symbolic hand gestures (mudras) of the Pedandas (priests), as they are performed at the present day on the island of Bali.

Bali again. I could live to be 1000 and will never learn everything I want to! de Kleen's book was published in the 20's and continues to be reprinted today. Bali has since changed ownership (so to speak) having been occupied and fought over for hundreds of years. Hmmmm. I wonder if this fabric is still sold locally. Looks like I have some more research to do on this topic.

In the mean time, I am making a small set of magnets to commemorate this find. They'll go into the shop on Sunday.