A conversation about Balinese art, tradition, ritual and finding your own way Some artists preserve tradition through their work. Others help us understand how it continues to live, evolve and remain connected to community. In Learning to See with Ketut Budiana, we spend time with one of Bali’s most respected master artists, exploring his approach […]
By Jean Couteau. A French writer, cultural observer and scholar who has lived in Bali for more than four decades. A graduate of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, he is widely recognised for his writings on Balinese culture, society, art and contemporary life. Related articles. At Usada, in collaboration with Periplus, a gathering […]
A conversation with Joo Peter Joo Peter is a German documentary filmmaker, writer, photographer and artist whose work explores culture, community and the relationship between people and nature. Since 2014, he has travelled extensively through Asia, with a particular connection to Indonesia and Bali, documenting traditional cultures and contemporary life through film, photography and writing. […]
The Geological Embrace Deep in the heart of Ubud, nature carved a masterpiece of earth and water, anchored by the legendary Campuhan Ridge. For nearly ten kilometers, two powerful rivers—the Oos and the Tukad Yeh Wos—run parallel through the Balinese landscape, carving deep, dramatic gorges of dense tropical jungle and volcanic stone. As they journey […]
Dr. Kerstin Duell. A Life Shaped by Curiosity Beyond Borders is inspired by a presentation given by Dr. Kerstin Duell at Usada Bali in June 2026. It draws upon themes and stories shared during her talk. The reflections that follow are offered as a response to her work and the questions it continues to evoke. […]
Reflections on Balinese ancestral traditions from a talk by Jean Couteau at Usada Editor’s Note Kuningan: Ancestors and a Sacred Cycle article is based on a talk by Jean Couteau presented at Usada, exploring the cultural and spiritual dimensions of Galungan and Kuningan in Bali. Couteau’s reflections draw attention to the importance of ancestral relationships, […]
