Danu Enterprises

11/26/2024

Lucky Us! Gifted tickets to the Monterey Aquarium new “Into the Deep” Feature —don’t miss it

12/19/2023

Hoi An on the Vietnamese coast is a well-preserved trading port from the 15th-19th centuries. Its a favorite on our Laos/Vietnam tour because of its history, traditional architecture, cuisine, textiles and ceramics, plus we found the perfect hotel.

11/26/2023

Yesterday was Tumpek Wayang, a special day on the Bali-Hindu lunar calendar when masks and shadow puppets are honored for the role they play in religious ceremonies. Made Surya created and dedicated offerings to his performance masks, which he carved except for Topeng Keras/Patih ( top center) created by his teacher, Cokorda Raka Tisnu, and the Jauk (first row left) from Wy. Tangguh.

11/23/2023

Murni: First Balinese artist to be collected by Tate Modern Gallery

Bikin Kesenangan(Making Pleasure) composition depicting a naked female body with a paint brush positioned between her legs with the word HOBBY inscribed on the handle by Balinese artist I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni), has been purchased by Tate Modern Gallery. The image was among nine works acquired in October as part of the Frieze Tate Fund—in which a team of Tate and international curators acquired pieces for Tate’s collection. This distinction makes the late artist (1966-2006) the first Balinese to be collected by Tate.

London’s Tate Modern is a gallery that houses the United Kingdom’s national collection of international modern and contemporary art and forms part of the Tate group together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives. Tate opened in 1897 and has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most prestigious museums of modern and contemporary art, with a combined collection numbering nearly 70,000.

When Tate Modern opened in 2000, it set about transforming the paradigm of how globalised contemporary art was consumed, shifting audiences away from the Old Masters towards an exciting new future with cutting-edge displays and exhibitions intersecting art and fashion, high and low art, virtual and real, ancient and recently made works. The Tate became the flagship of art in Britain that drew the world’s focus at a time when British contemporary artists had risen into their ascendancy. With a catalogue of important shows, it has become a household name in art.

Art as a personal therapy

Art for Murni was a form of therapy and a daily routine, a diary and retelling of a personal history. Her compelling, seemingly simplistic style of colourful, fluid lines and shapes often contrasted against rigid and sharp objects that represented the violence, trauma and loss of innocence she experienced as a child when her father sexually assaulted her. Primarily self-taught, Murni was a prolific artist who explored her themes in both two and three-dimensional works.

Gajah Gallery’s presentation of Murni at Frieze Masters 2023 in London

In the 1990s, Murni introduced a fresh and exciting visual language into the sphere of contemporary Balinese art. Murni, however, presented themes considered taboo at the time, which were a direct assault on the Balinese patriarchal society while smashing perceived stereotypes about Balinese art.

Images of personal and other sexual encounters are literally interpreted within Murni’s works. However, her introduction of symbols revealed deeper personal and gender issues. At the same time, her balanced minimalistic compositions confirmed an extraordinary intelligence and unique artistic voice. Murni’s works were never contrived, yet they freely flowed from her subconscious to help bring reconciliation and peace to her human experience.

“I paint to feel that I exist”, Murni was once quoted as saying.



The meteoric rise of Murni comes as little surprise to people who have long recognised her talents. Some Balinese art experts believe her art to be on equal footing with some of the great female painters of the modern era. The historic inclusion of Murni into one of the world’s most prestigious galleries will have positive implications for Balinese art.

Balinese Arts’ Struggle for Recognition

Balinese modern and contemporary art has been maligned and has struggled for acknowledgement within the international art sphere. On the other hand, Balinese sacred Classical religious paintings have achieved recognition in the historical development of world art. Dutch colonization of Bali resulted in many of the finest examples of modern Balinese art from the golden years of Balinese painting (1920-1945) and earlier being collected and relocated into institutions in Europe and America.

The works, however, were included within the collection of ethnological museums that specialized in studying world cultures rather than in art museums. Balinese art was displayed with demeaning colonial narratives referring to it as folk art by the primitive people of Bali and thus impacting negatively upon its perception and not giving recognition to its artistic distinctions. Labelling them as peasant denies the creativity involved in the development of modern Balinese art in the 1930s and 1940s.



This poor perception of Balinese art then reverberated around the world and into Indonesia. Collectors perceived the art as tourist art, and, therefore, the market for Balinese paintings has remained relatively small compared to the Indonesian modern and contemporary market, which enjoyed periods of growth in the 1980s, early in 2000 and especially during the art boom of 2006 – 2008.

Mondo’s Commitment to Murni

During the past five years, Murni has risen dramatically in popularity. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions, along with being presented in international art fairs and museum collections. Mondo Zanolini, Murni’s life partner in late 2018 decided to work with Gajah Gallery of Singapore and Indonesia to promote Murni’s art worldwide. Gajah Gallery has been responsible for this increased positioning of Murni on the global art stage, and credit goes to the dedication and hard work of the Gallery and its Founder, Director Jasdeep Sandhu.

Her recent Gajah Gallery solo exhibitions include I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih: On Beginnings, Oct-Nov 2019 in Yogyakarta, Shards of My Dreams That Remain In My Consciousness July-Aug 2021 in Singapore and I See Myself Floating (Aku Melihat Diriku Terapung) Oct-Nov 2022 in Jakarta. Murni’s work has also appeared in various group shows since 2018 in Indonesia and Singapore. Gajah Gallery has represented Murni in numerous art fairs since 2019 in Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, including Art Basel Hong Kong and Basel. From 11-15 October, Murni was presented at the Frieze Masters 2023 in London, where her works were a part of the fair’s Spotlight section, dedicated to pioneers of avant-garde art from across the world.

Murni has been exhibited in the National Gallery of Singapore, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN), Jakarta, Indonesia, 2019; the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia in 2019; the 58th Carnegie International at Pittsburgh; the Carnegie Museum of Art, USA 2022, the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, and the University of Chicago. Murni’s works have been acquired by MACAN, the National Gallery of Singapore, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of World Cultures, Leiden, the Netherlands, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

Murni Through the Eyes of Others“Murni exploded onto the local art scene in the mid 1990s with her first-ever exhibition in the Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women’s Showspace in Ubud, Bali. Seniwati discovered and worked for over 70 women artists living In Bali. This small town at the time was a fulcrum of Indonesian/Balinese artistic activity, albeit mostly male. Murni smashed through the barriers of misogyny with her extraordinary autobiographical, no-holds-barred yet lyrical paintings. Through her work, she also empowered other women artists by demonstrating courage and liberation from ‘cultural’ norms and restrictions,” said Mary Northmore, Founder and Director of Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women (1990 – 2012).

“I had been told there were no Balinese women artists because ‘Balinese women had no sense of colour’ and ‘Balinese women didn’t like to get dirty’ – and I was also told that Murni’s work was pornographic and should be hidden from children’s sight. This announcement gives the lie to those attitudes!”

“Murni was a powerhouse of creativity, making so many unforgettable images with honesty and without shame, constantly developing her means of expression in a variety of media, inspiring others to acknowledge and depict departures from the idealized representations of life in Bali. It’s wonderful to know she will continue to inspire and delight internationally,” Northmore told me. “The news about the recognition of excellence for a woman artist of Bali is both very exciting and somewhat overdue.”

“In her will, Murni included a design of a museum to house and show her paintings. Her works have been acquired by various museums in Southeast Asia, notably MACAN and National Gallery Singapore, and in Australia and recently in 2023 in the National Museum of World Cultures, Leiden, the Netherlands and Tate Modern. The latest acquisition of her work by Tate Modern may signal that she would enter the canon of significant artists worldwide. She has realized her dream of having a museum for her works,” said Balinese art expert and founder of Yayasan TiTian Bali (TiTian Bal iFoundation) Soemantri Widagdo.

“All Murni’s works are deeply personal. Her art chronicles her life on a daily basis. Her titles attest it; far from politics and feminism. In fact, she was not political at all.”

“The inclusion of Murni into Tate Modern’s international collection represents a significant milestone for Balinese and Indonesian art. It not only elevates the visibility and recognition of Balinese art to the forefront of the global art stage but also underscores the transcendent appeal of Indonesian art beyond national borders to artists and collectors alike,” said Jasdeep Sandhu.

“Tate Modern’s reputation as a leading global art institution adds weight to this inclusion, marking the initiation of a transformative trend. The acquisition of Murni’s work sets a compelling precedent for other international art institutions, encouraging them to explore and incorporate Indonesian artists into their collections.”

Words: Richard Horstman
Images courtesy of The Estate of Murniasih

11/18/2023

Our next fabulous trip to Bali is March 3-15, focused on the festival of Nyepi—the Balinese New Year. Preparation includes “Melasti,” (purification with water) when Balinese island-wide march in procession to the sea to purify themselves and their sacred objects— masks and giant puppets. We gather at a beach where hundreds worshippers pray, culminating with Priests and Priestesses in trance. Info: danutours.com

09/16/2023

“Best of Slovenia” Ljubljana Day 1, we’re immediately smitten with the Old Town, pedestrian-only, dating from the medieval era, with lively street musicians and cafes, on both riverfront and village sides. Heaven for cycle enthusiasts

07/08/2023

Day 5 of our trip-Ubud, also known as the “cultural center of Bali,” where I first landed in 1978 on sabbatical to study mask dance and textiles, is a must-visit. Its the only place on the island where you can choose from 5-8 high-quality traditional dances, performed nightly. danutours.com

02/05/2023

Join Us On Our Next Adventure.!

12/07/2022

This fearsome beast is a giant dummy, created by a team of young adults using natural organic materials on the island Bali. Performing one night only—the evening before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, usually in March. Hundreds parade after sunset through the villages of their torch wielding creators, accompanied by a cacophonous walking gamelan orchestra.

Called Ogoh Ogoh, each demonic image is original, and is in competition with other youth groups in differing categories: Most Frightening, Most Original, Most Beautiful, etc. Some are movable, some articulated, some even pyrotechnic,created to cause low spirits to evacuate, cleansing the island of impurities before New Years Day.

Up to 18 feet tall, they are marvels of creativity, putting Macys balloons and the Rose Bowl floats to shame.

In 2023 they parade on March 21. To see these amazing creations: www.danutours.com

10/21/2022

Lost Kingdoms Rediscovered:
Art & Culture of Laos and Vietnam
The neighboring Buddhist countries, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia

January 8-24 2023

06/21/2022

Good News for Travelers to Greece

For American travelers heading abroad, the growing strength of the dollar is the upside of a volatile economy. Currently, the exchange rate with the euro is about $1.04, meaning each 100 euros will cost about $104. One euro was worth about $1.22 this time last year. The present rate is down significantly from its high in 2008, when each euro was worth $1.58.
The dollar is up against other foreign currencies, too, including the Indonesian Rupiah, This means that spending abroad is cheaper. A 5-euro glass of wine in Athens in 2008 might have cost about $8, compared to $5.20 today.
Why is the dollar up, and for how long?
The dollar has gained notably against the euro and some economists believe it may reach parity — something not seen in 20 years — by year end.
Why is it going up?
When bad things start to happen, people tend to migrate back to U.S. investments and that will strengthen the dollar relative to other currencies.
All this means that U.S. travelers’ dollars will buy more in many overseas destinations. And most experts believe the dollar will remain strong throughout the year. New York Times June 14, 2022
As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. On return from our recent tour to Italy, stressful time was spent in the incredibly long line for covid testing at the Rome Airport prior to check-in. The USA is one of the last western countries to get rid of this onerous requirement.

For further information contact Danu Enterprises:
[email protected], (831) 476-0543, www.danutours.com

06/10/2022

" Greek Islands with Yoga" Sept. 29-Oct. 12,2022"

05/27/2022

Travel Update following our Trip to Rome and Sardinia:

Navigating travel transformed in the 2 years since shutdown, and here’s an update messaged especially at fellow technophobes and internet deniers:

plug-in or get left on the tarmac.

Its expected nowadays that everyone has a smartphone that can text, get emails, scan and operate as a flashlight. No exceptions. And you’ll be lost if you don’t master charging devices on seat backs and arm-ports, plus develop radar for locating them.

Print-outs are still accepted, but tickets and boarding passes are more often accessed on smartphones.

Our friend David, owner of Chocolate restaurant her in Santa Cruz tossed laminated menus during the pandemic, switching to scanning, presumably for sanitary reasons. He never looked back. Now numerous patrons arrive clueless how to access his menu. Warning: this is the future. In European hotels, gone are the book-like directories of offerings and information. From emergency exits to room service menus, scanning is where the info resides.

On another note, be sure to wear your best trekking shoes on the plane—capable to move fast and cover long distances for making lightening-fast connections at differing airport terminals. You never know when your arrival plane might run late.

04/07/2022

BALI IS BACK Visit Bali with the Pro’s
https://www.danutours.com/bali-1

02/18/2022

12/14/2021

The Documents You Need to Travel Abroad Now
The pandemic has created a whole new checklist of what you should bring on your trip. Here’s the essential paperwork you need to have in your bag.

By Lauren Loss for the NYTimes
Dec. 10, 2021

While international travel is not impossible this holiday season, particularly if you’re vaccinated, the rise of the Omicron variant promises to make it much more complicated.

Assuming you are traveling to a country open to nonessential travel, the vaccine and testing documentation required for entry could range from nothing (Mexico) to detailed and numerous (Norway, and many others). Before booking, you can research online what you’ll need — on a running list from The New York Times here, or the websites of various airlines, the C.D.C., the U.S. State Department or that of your destination’s government — but be prepared to recheck requirements in the days leading up to your departure, in case rules have changed.

Here are the types of documentation that many destinations now require from U.S. travelers. As in prepandemic times, make physical copies of everything and if you have digital versions, organize them in an accessible place on your phone. Keep them handy, too, as you will be asked for your documents multiple times during your journey.

Proof of vaccination

No matter your destination, no matter what requirements it has for proving you are vaccinated against the coronavirus, it’s smart to bring your physical, C.D.C.-issued vaccine card with you, along with digital photos of your card and paper photocopies. You might not need it — be sure to store it safely — but don’t assume that a U.S.-based digital passport or QR code is acceptable. For example, your physical C.D.C. card will be accepted in France and the United Kingdom; the latter, however, also accepts certain state-issued digital health apps for entry, like California’s Vaccine Record and New York’s Excelsior Pass. And remember to check what vaccines are accepted at your destination.



Coronavirus test results

More countries now require proof of a negative test, often in addition to proof of vaccination. Depending on where you are going, some countries require P.C.R. tests, while others allow rapid antigen tests. The timing requirement of your test might ask for results between 24 or 72 hours before your arrival, or one to three days. Take Croatia again, the country requires a negative P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test within 48; if you have neither, you’ll be required to test upon arrival at your own cost and quarantine until you receive negative results. Rules for unvaccinated children vary widely by country and age, too — when entering Denmark, fully vaccinated adults or children under 16 do not need proof of a negative test, while 16- and 17-year-olds must have proof of a negative test to enter. Again, have the results in both digital and physical form.

Masks

Mask mandates too vary by country and maybe localities, but you will most certainly need masks in airports, on your flight — and if you are going to most places in Europe and the U.K., for indoor activities like dining. And rather than hoping your cloth mask will have you covered, come prepared with surgical masks and N95s as well. For example, you need N95s or KN95s to ride public transport in Germany.

Proof of insurance

Not only is it a good idea to check your health-insurance policies if you get sick abroad, you should research whether proof of health or travel insurance is needed at your destination. While Egypt, Jordan and many Caribbean nations require proof of health insurance, travelers to Chile, in addition to proof of vaccination and a negative test, must also show “proof of travel medical insurance that covers at least $30,000.” For unvaccinated travelers, Costa Rica requires insurance that covers any Covid-related costs, including but not exclusive to illness.



Speaking of passports …

Confirm that your passport and any required visas are valid. “Your passport should have an expiration date of at least six months from your return date,” said Alexis Bowen, a co-founder of the travel company elsewhere.

Test for your return trip

All travelers, vaccinated or not, wishing to fly into the United States from abroad are currently required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test — specifically, a rapid antigen or P.C.R. test — taken within one day of their flight. Check whether your final stop before flying has testing centers or pharmacies with approved tests, or consider consulting local connections or the hotel concierge. You can also bring F.D.A.-approved at-home tests with you. Those tests need to be supervised, meaning you’ll need Wi-Fi and an online doctor’s appointment. Finally, prepare to sign a C.D.C.-required attestation either in advance or at the airport before returning.

11/27/2021

Hello from Judy Slattum, and I’d like to tell you about Danu Enterprises

I started my own educational travel company in 1986 after leading study tours through Cabrillo and Monetary Peninsula College (where I taught) for over a decade. In the beginning, our focus was mainly on Bali, home of my husband Made Surya, but our regular clients asked us to expand, and next year we will offer trips to Italy, Greece, Spain and Slovenia.

As a small business we have survived 9/11, which crippled the travel industry for many years, and now the Pandemic.

Our company supports local owned small boutique hotels and not-yet-discovered attractions. Health and self-growth are central to our trips, as well as familiarization with the local people and culture.

We hope you will consider the exciting trips we are offering to Bali and Europe in l2022, and hope that safe journeys will finally be possible at that time. www.danutours.com

Your travel dream is our vision >> H. Weinstein Stan Karp A. Buran L. Levi J. Collis S. Bookman From on-line seminars, half day workshops to one week retreats, our custom experiences can take place almost year round for small and larger groups of family, friends, coworkers, and curious minds interes...

04/08/2021

Want to Go to Europe This Summer? Here Are Your Options

By Ceylon Yeginsu - March 27, 2020

For American travelers hoping to head abroad, answers to questions about which countries they can visit and what the future might hold. (edited for brevity)

Most of Europe has been off-limits to most U.S. citizens for over a year, …But some European countries have started to welcome vaccinated travelers, including American tourists, and others are making preparations to ease restrictions in time for the summer season.

Vaccine and health certificates that would help speed travel are under development, which could make it easier for tourism to restart. The 27 member countries of the European Union have endorsed the idea of a vaccine certificate.

Greece, one of the most popular European summer destinations for Americans, announced this month that it would reopen for all tourists in mid-May, as long as they show proof of vaccination, antibodies or a negative Covid-19 test result before traveling. All visitors will be subject to random testing upon arrival.

This is the first time we have read of a concrete date when Greece will re-open, so we are thrilled.

We will continue keeping in touch with developments for you and let us know if you have any questions or concern.

https://www.danutours.com/news/want-to-go-to-europe-this-summer-here-are-your-options

By  Ceylon  Yeginsu - March 27, 2020 For American travelers hoping to head abroad, answers to questions about which countries they can visit and what the future might hold.  (edited for brevity) Most of Europe has been off-limits to most U.S. citizens for over a