Behind the design: Uluwatu Surf Villas Artist Series

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In our work with the incredible Uluwatu Surf Villas, we produced different merchandise as part of their Artist Series, collaborations with illustrators and artists from Indonesia and abroad.

The first artist we worked with to transform their artwork from digital to screen-printed fabric was the talented Christina Budi, an Indonesian batik illustrator based in Amsterdam. Christina is known for her modern batik print designs.

Christina received a list of Uluwatu Surf Villa icons like the kingfisher birds, monkeys, local fishing boats, Balinese offerings and temple gates, and the fish that patrol the waves. She also received a color palette of classic batik shades of blue and brown. She then created an incredible design and pattern. We took it from there to create a pattern and make it screen print ready for production.

The second artist we had the honor of working with was Niluh Pangestu, a Balinese artist working with linocut and digital illustration. Niluh offered up icons from several of her recent works to be turned into a series of cards, t-shirts, notebooks and tote bags for the property.

A glimpse of Ubud Open Studios 2022

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Through the eyes of our talented photographers.

Thank you to Arley Mardo, Herry Santosa, Neyna Rahmadani, Shayna Pitch and Brandon Nadeau of Studio Suka.

Gallery by Arley Mardo:

Galley by Suka Studio:

Gallery by Neyna Rahmadani

Gallery by Herry Santosa:

Behind the design: Ubud Open Studios

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Ubud Open Studio participants received a printed catalog, a tote bag and a wrist band.

For the printed catalog we were so happy to be supported by the team at Fedrigoni Paper Indonesia. Fedrigoni is a 134-year-old specialty paper company from Italy. We were so happy to be able to incorporate their papers into the printed catalog. The covers were printed with a holographic foil.

For the tote bags, we worked with the team at Pithecanthropus to incorporate different pieces of batik into the tote bags.

51 studios joining the Ubud Open Studios lineup!

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We’re overwhelmed by the response to Ubud Open Studios! Over 50 studios are joining us for the first year and there is so much to see and experience.

Special events include:

Studio Jencquel TALK

Design Philosophy of Studio Jencquel

SATURDAY 15 October 2022

10:00AM— 11:00AM

A rare chance to hear from the designers themselves as they discuss their key projects and achievements

Threads of Life TALK

The culture and meaning of Indonesia's traditional textiles

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 14 & 15 October 2022

10:00AM—11:00AM

Join Jean and Tutut in this exploration of textile motifs and ritual use.

Threads of Life + Kajimundo DEMO

Indigo screen-printing and painting demonstration

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 14 & 15 October 2022

11:00AM—1:00PM

Kajimundo has developed an amazing natural latex screen printing method that they will be sharing with visitors.

Gaya Ceramic Art Center DEMO

Wheel throwing and Sculpture Techniques (figurative)

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 14 & 15 October 2022

All day

Featuring Valentina Zlatarova, Bulgarian figurative sculptor and current artist in residence.

IBUKU Studio TALK & STUDIO TOUR (BAHASA INDONESIA)

It's Bamboo, It's Us

FRIDAY 14 October 2022

4:30PM—5:30PM

How we approach bamboo, from each individual experience and history, until eventually a personal relationship is formed between design, feelings, ideas and nature that will be integrated with beautiful teamwork in IBUKU Studio, Bali.

Featuring Sharon Julya and followed by IBUKU Studio tour.

In Indonesian language.

IBUKU Studio TALK & STUDIO TOUR (ENGLISH LANGUAGE)

Nature-led Design

FRIDAY 14 October 2022

3:30PM—4:30PM

A glimpse into the way Elora Hardy and the IBUKU Team have created a new design and architectural vocabulary based on bamboo and natural materials. By honouring and embracing nature and complementing it with technology and innovation from the incredible human mind, their nature led design process has redefined sustainable architecture.

Featuring Elora Hardy and followed by a IBUKU Studio tour.

In English language.

Kerta Art DEMO

Traditional Balinese dance (by donation)

FRIDAY 14 October 2022 3:00PM—4:00PM

The performing arts collective is providing an opportunity to learn more about the art of Balinese dance within the traditional and contemporary performance world.

Kerta Art DEMO

Contemporary and Wayang Performance (by donation)

SATURDAY 15 October 2022

7:00PM—8:00PM

An amazing chance to see behind the screen of a shadow puppet performance.

Pithecanthropus STUDIO TOUR

A Guided Tour Behind the Batik Textiles

FRIDAY 14 October 2022

10:00AM—11:00AM

Come see what and how they work on batik in our studio. From taking inspirations of lesser known batik motifs to hands-on techniques of batik printing and stamping, Pithecanthropus invites you to join their journey of discovering Indonesian textiles.

Pithecanthropus STUDIO TOUR

A Guided Tour Behind the Batik Textiles

SATURDAY 15 October 2022

3:00PM—4:00PM

Mistresses of Metal TALK

The Mistresses of Metal: Metal and Women's Empowerment

SATURDAY 15 October 2022

11:00AM—12:00PM

A window into the nitty gritty of what it is like to be a woman in jewelry. Exploring the creative inspiration of our design process, artisanal production and female-preneurship

K U M B H A K Ā R A DEMO

Live Barrel Firing

FRIDAY 14 October 2022

3:00PM—4:00PM

Wrap a bisqued clay piece with materials supplied, to go into the fire. Attendees can then pick up the final piece in the next day or so. A wonderful chance to see some clay alchemy in action!

Toko Elami is open: our little gift shop in Jl Kajeng, Ubud

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We now have a store in Ubud! Come and vist us at Jl Kajeng No 19. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm.

Everything is handmade in Indonesia, supports local makers, and makes a great gift no matter the occasion. We’re calling it gifts for the design curious.

We had a crazy idea a few months ago: what if we took Toko Elami from the virtual to the real? In a blink of an eye, we had a brand new space secured on what is now the new Ubud Market street, Jl Kajeng.

Jl Kajeng used to be a sleepy side street, known for cement squares containing messages from past visitors, some dating back to the early 1980s. Now it’s alive with hundreds of pedestrians checking out the temporary market stalls that have popped up since the traditional market began its renovation process.

We have all of our own products in there (Snakes and Ladders Bali, Lotería de Bali, Monoprint Notebooks) and have been so happy to welcome thirteen tenants, including brands and artists that have been longtime collaborators and friends. It wouldn't have been possible without the expert guidance of Sylvia Fairmann of Tao Collection. Thank you a million times, Sylvia!

We have the beautiful eco print work of Cinta Bumi Artisans, handmade candles by NOKA Design, handbuilt and handpainted ceramics from Arta Derau, prints of Maya Kerthayasa’s incredible pen drawings, hand-crafted leather pieces by Samoi, crocheted hats by VT.TVN, Boemi Botanical’s clean body products, Rumantra’s pieces to adorn the body, ArtNiluh’s mini scarves, stickers and pins from ByWilzzie, breast-inspired jewelry by Elppin, hand-carved wooden hiking mugs by Bushcraft, and art collaboration merchandise by Ketemu Project.

Keep up to date with all our news and products over at Toko Elami’s Instagram.

Behind the design: Events at Uluwatu Surf Villas

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We’ve been working with the team at Uluwatu Surf Villas for a few months now. Such an incredible property and landscape to get inspiration for our work.

High on the jagged cliffs towering over Southwest Bali’s world-famous waves, is the definition of surfer’s paradise: Uluwatu Surf Villas. Blessed with private access to the sand and surf, it’s the place where active soulful pursuits meet Bali’s singular mysticism and warm hospitality. Premium villas, bungalows and loft accommodations—hand-built with reclaimed teak and ironwood, plus Balinese artisan-crafted decor and antiques—are idyllic windows to a magical world

The seaside, the beach, the ocean, so many places where the imagination can express itself without limit. The escape of thoughts, the freedom of the spirit, the lightness of the movements—all inspiration for art directing, in a nod to their surf heritage and identity.

Events at Mana Uluwatu and Uluwatu Surf Villas are focused on community, relaxed vibes, and, of course, the incredible ocean and sunsets in all moods and forms. We chose to work in a liquid feeling to their artwork.

Working from their existing brand guidelines, we created a cohesive look for their digital event promotions For regular events (Wednesday Jazz Nights and Friday Poolside Beers) and for special one-off events (workshops, opening of their new skate park, & special music guests).

Elami Creative Day: Screen printing at Devfto

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We descended on the peaceful studio of Pak Devy Ferdianto to learn a fraction of the art and science of screen printing (or sablon as it’s known in Indonesia). With Pak Devy’s patience and help, we created four incredible pieces to take home with us. Scroll on for the story behind each piece and a quick glimpse of the six-hour process.

The first piece is from Daniela Burr. She wanted to work with her first love: typography. The source material came from the Rijksmuseum collection available for public use. Daniela created a subtle red on red gradient which doesn’t show on the photo.

The second piece is by Michellina Suminto. Based on an impromptu drawing prompt game she played on Instagram, she added four of her sketched characters to a hand painted screen background.

Mila Shwaiko’s choice came from a 17th century zoology book that claimed to document the Indonesian species of unicorn: the Camphur, a web footed amphibious being. You can’t make this stuff up…

And that brings us to Rully Rumatra’s incredible peacock, based on his original artwork. Rully chose a gold accent for the peacock’s tail feathers.

Ubud Open Studios coming in October 2022!

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Please welcome Elami and Co Productions’ latest creation: Ubud Open Studios!

The Ubud Open Studios weekend is your opportunity to meet the artists and craftsmen, get studio tours & the background story, or answers to questions you’ve always wanted to ask your favorite creators.

Ubud Open Studios means a weekend of exploring Ubud's art studios, meeting the makers, painters and potters while getting a glimpse of their techniques, processes and philosophies. With doors open for two days only, it’s a chance to get an insider's view of Ubud’s unique wealth of creativity and hidden worlds.

If you’d like to register your studio, the deadline is August 24. Tickets will go on sale September 1st.

Ubud’s studios can be quite hidden, but are definitely should be on your radar. Your itinerary might include anything from intimate studio visits to immersive discussions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in. In short, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at Bali’s fascinating creative ecosystem.

Photographers, printmakers, carvers, painters, illustrators, ceramicists, leather makers, textile artists, architects, glass blowers, jewelry designers, costume makers, and more

Why Ubud?

Ubud is a magnet and source of creativity. The Ubud culture is known around the world for its rich artistry, striking performances and craftsmanship.

Ubud’s artists have a long tradition of creating, mastering mediums and techniques, and passing them down through the generations. Ubud was once known for its art and craft studios and this was the main draw for many visitors. We’d love to support a renewal of this in the area with Ubud Open Studios.

You’ll notice subtle handmade beauty almost everywhere in Ubud — from the way an offering sits in a doorway to the gentle hum of giant kites in the windy season — which is why people from all corners of the globe flock here for inspiration. Artists and designers from outside Ubud also contribute to the village’s vibrant art culture. Many set up studios of their own and collaborated with the local artists.



Ring of Fire Dinner and Screening at Kaum, Potato Head Bali

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We set sail for the Spice Islands in Kaum at Potato Head Bali for a special screening of Ring of Fire. An incredible experience. Curated with Maya Kerthyasa, we turned the room into an immersive theatre.

The dishes on the menu were inspired by various scenes from Spice Islands Saga – the first volume of the five-part series Ring of Fire that documents the ten-year voyage of two filmmakers, brothers Lorne and Lawrence Blair, through the islands of Indonesia.

Some of our favorite details:

  1. Welcome aboard the Sinar Surya. We recreated the ship’s lettering on the door to Kaum.

2. Feeding the senses: on the table for the Ring of Fire: Spice Island Saga we had fresh cloves, clove flowers, fresh nutmeg fruits, black tea, salt and seaweed to help scent the air with island and boat smells.

3. We took inspiration from specific frames from the Spice Island Saga episode to help us design the event. From the boat colors and materials, to plates and raw ingredients, we scoured each second for cues, like these hand-carved googles we recreated.

4. Jars of live crickets: a nod to the scenes where the film makers share their quarters with variety of creepy crawlies.

5. Pages from the book that started it all: Alfred Russel Wallace’s The Malay Archipelago. We added the pages to the table and around the restaurant.

A description of nutmeg from John Cameron in the mid-1800s: "The nutmeg is a very beautiful tree; when of full size it is about twenty-five or thirty feet high, and, if well-formed, should have a diameter from the extremes of its lower branches of little less...The fruit grows slowly (and until) within a few days of ripening, might be readily mistaken for the peach; it is of the same size, and has the same downy texture of the skin--all it wants to complete the resemblance is the pink cheek. When⁠ the nut inside is ripe, the fruit splits down the center, and remains half-open, discovering the bright crimson mace that enshrouds the nut. In a few days, if not gathered in, the fruit opens wider, and the nut, with the mace around it, drops to the ground, leaving the fruity husk still hanging to the tree, till it withers away and falls off. When the nuts are collected, the mace is first carefully removed and placed in the sun to dry. Under the mace is a thin hard shell containing the nutmeg, and this is not broken till the nutmegs are prepared for shipment. A good tree yields 600⁠ nuts per annum, or about 8 pounds weight. There is no particular season for the nutmeg crop, and the blossoms and the ripe fruit may often be seen hanging together on the same branch. Altogether there are few prettier trees- prettier in form,⁠in foliage, in blossom, and in bearing, than the nutmeg."⁠

From The Banda Islands: Hidden Histories and Miracles of Nature

“The Blair Brothers sailed with pirates aboard their black-sailed schooners in search of the Bird of Paradise, struggled through rapids and deep jungles searching for elusive nomadic tribes, witnessed veiled forms of human sacrifice and found themselves drawn into ten years of danger and discovery in a magical land where ancient myths still flourish.”

The Bali 1928 Project at John Hardy Jewelry

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Since 2019, Elami and Co has been curating events at John Hardy Jewelry’s gallery in Seminyak. we’ve created small workshops, gatherings, and exhibitions, and now perhaps the most exciting one yet: a film screening under the stars of rare archival footage from Bali 1928. The film screening was accompanied by two beautiful performances (genggong mouth harp and Tembang singing) and a display of repatriated photos from that era. Each silent film was narrated by Marlowe Bandem (coordinator and program manager of the Bali 1928 Archive in Indonesia) and Wayan Juniarta (writer, curator, and expert panel of the Bali 1928 Archive).

Bali 1928 – Repatriating Bali’s Earliest Music Recordings, 1930s Films and Photographs

Beginning in 2000, American ethnomusicologist Edward Herbst and New York’s Arbiter of Cultural Traditions began a multi-year research project to find, document, understand, explain, restore, re-release, and repatriate all of this material including from Colin McPhee, Mexican artist and writer Miguel Covarrubias, and Swedish dance pioneer Rolf de Maré with anthropologist/dance ethnographer Claire Holt.

In 1928 Odeon and Beka produced the only recordings of Balinese music made in Bali and released prior to World War II. Fifty-six of the original 78-rpm records (111 sides) are known to have survived. Recovering them all required research in archives, libraries, universities and personal collections in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Things to know about: Asa Film + Netflix!!!

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Excuse the !!! but we have some serious happiness bubbles spilling out of us with this announcement from Netflix. We've been listening to snippets of info from Asa Film team members for years about shooting this series and now we get to watch! So proud of you guys!

The series has five episodes and the 5th one was shot by the Asa Film team in Leuser National Park. The footage is truly mindblowing.

“Spanning five continents, the series brims with wonder, humor and optimism as each episode tells the story of a national park through the lives of its wildest residents — both big and exceptionally small — and explores our changing relationship with wilderness.”



Things to know about: Paon by Maya Kerthyasa and Wayan Kresna Yasa

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We are beyond excited to see this book come to life! Congratulations Maya Kerthyasa and Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa!

Maya said: “Chef Wayan and I have been on a bit of an adventure together. An adventure that has resulted in a book titled Paon—recipes, stories and essays that celebrate the food culture of our ancestral land, Bali. With photographs by the unstoppable Martin Westlake and illustrations by yours truly. We can’t wait to share it with you.”

Preorder at Periplus or Amazon.

Sharing more than 80 dishes alongside essays and beautiful photography capturing the life, culture and food from across this widely beloved island, Paon shines a light on the depth and diversity of Balinese cuisine, with insight into food and worship, sacred fare, and zero-waste cooking.

With dishes ranging from elaborate ceremonial cuisine such as Bebek Betutu (Ubud-style smoked duck) to dishes that rely only on the simplest ingredients enjoyed at their unadorned best, such as Be Panggang (grilled spiced snapper), Paon reveals a largely untold story of the island: everyday Bali, modern Bali, agricultural Bali.

“A lot of recipes going back centuries were given to us from the Hindu gods and translated into dishes. They’re not written down. That’s why we cook complex and labour-intensive meals and give cooking so much love and attention. We also believe that the energy put into offerings for the gods will translate into good karma."

Maya Kerthyasa

Lotería de Bali Game Night: Editions 1-4

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These have been such fun nights! From Lacalita in Canggu, Biku in Seminyak, at Rüsters in Ubud and Taqisa in Sanur, we’ve been on a game night road trip around this island of ours.

Watching everyone playing being shy and hesitant at first and then quickly getting the hang of it and letting their competitive side out to play has been a pleasure! And of course, then trying to remember to shout Lotería! instead of Bingo! to clinch the win.

Loteríaaaaaaaaa

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Loteríaaaaaaaaa 〰️

This video was taken at Lacalita in Canggu and sums up a lovely night in 60 seconds.

Thank you to all who came and played with us! Especially to our amazing hosts and the incredible ‘singer’ Ivor Condric for his guest spots!