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One of World’s Biggest Statues Taking Shape in Bali. And It’s Already Looking Impressive

One of World’s Biggest Statues Taking Shape in Bali. And It’s Already Looking Impressive

Twenty-five years and around $100 million in the making, the enormous copper and brass sculpture is of the Hindu god Wisnu astride the mythical bird Garuda.

After years of planning, re-designs, cash shortages and stop-start construction, sculptor Nyoman Nuarta says the project should be finished next September.

And the final phase — the fitting of the sculpture's skin to the concrete and steel skeleton — is well underway.

The copper and brass claws of Garuda are finally gripping an enormous, purpose-built, concrete pedestal.

The model | tripadvisor.com
The model | tripadvisor.com

 

It should be relatively straightforward, compared to the complex engineering and fundraising for the private project.

"I no longer think about making profit from this project but I just want to work and finish this project because this is my dignity — my family's and mine — that's at stake. So it has to be completed," said Mr Nyoman, speaking to the ABC at his workshop in Bandung, on the island of Java.

I Nyoman Nuarta | Global Indonesian Vouices
I Nyoman Nuarta | Global Indonesian Vouices

 

"Garuda Wisnu Kencana" is about 75 metres high — 120m if you count the pedestal. To put this in perspective, New York’s Statue of Liberty stands at 93m. The Spring Temple Buddha monument in Henan, China will, at 128m retain its status as the tallest statue in the world.

But NY's Liberty is tall and thin, while Garuda is almost as wide as it is high — its wingspan is 64m.

Wisnu statue with clear blue sky in GWK park in Bali, Indonesia. Image by phruetthiphong pawarachan/Getty Images
Wisnu statue with clear blue sky in GWK park in Bali, Indonesia. Image by phruetthiphong pawarachan/Getty Images

 

That has made life complicated for the project's engineers. They do not want this Garuda to actually take flight.

"We've designed this statue to last for the next 100 years," construction chief Apul Sihotang said.

"We did wind tunnel tests in Canada, where we calculated the maximum velocity of the wind which will happen in 100 years.

"We have anticipated the wind velocity."

Strong winds are slowing the installation of the copper and bronze panels — the crane cannot operate if the wind blows more than 10 knots.

Garuda's shape is so complex that engineers have designed special joints in the supporting structure, with up to 11 enormous steel girders coming together at the same point. Normal construction joints have four or six girders.

 

The sculpture's unusual shape also means that maintenance workers will not be able to reach the outside of statue.

The plan | youtube.com
The plan | youtube.com

 

"Repairs will be done from inside the statue. We will build a catwalk to fix the statue from the inside so when there is a damage, the statue will be cut out to be fixed from the inside," the construction chief said.

The statue is being built by Mr Nyoman's team in Bandung, on the island of Java. It was made in wax, then fibreglass, then copper, then brass, then cut up and driven by truck to Bali for final installation.

Taller than Liberty Statue | Tribun Bali
Taller than Liberty Statue | Tribun Bali

 

Mr Nyoman, who is Balinese, says the project is important for the island.

"We know that Bali thrives from tourism and culture. If we don't develop the culture it will disappear one day," he said.

"So we have three responsibilities: to preserve the culture, develop it, and find new alternative cultures.

The project is important for Indonesia, says one of the people behind the project, Ida Bagus Gede Budi Hartawan.

"Culture is a big thing for our country, our civilisation. When we talk of technology, we may not be there yet. When we talk of economy, we may not be there yet either. But when we speak of culture, we can be equal," Mr Gede said.

Design | Skyscrapercity
Design | Skyscrapercity

 

"The latest and greatest masterpiece that this nation has is Borobudur. After that old generation, this nation never produced such creativity again.

"In the global community they underestimate us because of the violence here.

"Thus it is our goal to build something grand for our children and grand-children, for our generation and for the world."

Source : ABC.net.au | Lonely Planet | The Jakarta Post

Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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