Cultural park reaches for the skies
GOD IS TRULY IN THE DETAILS AS BALI PUTS THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON AN AMBITIOUS CULTURAL PARK THAT WILL INCLUDE THE WORLD'S TALLEST STATUE, A 53-FOOT GIANT DEPICTING THE PROTECTOR GOD OF HINDUISM-DEWA WISNU, THAT WILL BE VISIBLE FROM AS FAR AWAY AS 31 MILES

CONSTRUCTION is underway at the GWK Cultural Park, that will include the tallest statue in the world, an international trade center, a hotel, a water-park, villas, retail outlets, and restaurants.

Many said that it was an impossible dream. Undoubtedly, it was one of the most ambitious plans of our time. Many said that it could not be done–that building the tallest statue in the world was an impossible feat. P.T. Marga Giri Kencana and P.T. Garuda Adhimatara are proving them all wrong.
At the southern end of the breathtaking island of Bali lies the limestone plateau of the Bukit Peninsula. Since 1996, construction has been underway there for a massive cultural park and international center showcasing what will be the world’s tallest monument upon its completion in 2003.

World-famous Balinese sculptor Nyoman Nuarta first conceived of the idea ten years ago. As Bali is Indonesia’s landmark destination, the dream entailed a Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue that would be a landmark in Bali, in Indonesia, and in the entire world. Standing proud at 286 meters above sea level, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana will be seen from as far away as 31 miles. Thus, people from all parts of Bali will be able to view the statute, something that has important implications for the Balinese.
The figure of the statue is Dewa Wisnu, the protector god of Hinduism, the god that cares for the environment and mother earth. He is depicted riding on the mythical bird, Garuda. This timeless image symbolizes the harmony between all the earth’s creatures (Garuda) and their commitment to the environment (Wisnu).

PUTU AGUS ANTARA President Director of P.T. Garuda Adhimatara

Putu Agus Antara, President Director of P.T. Garuda Adhimatara, the holding company of the GWK project, notes that Kencana, or gold, “symbolizes that investment in the area will be like finding gold.” In truth, though, financing the dream was not that easy. In 1996, after a difficult fund raising effort, Mr. Nuarta founded a company to begin buying the land that today encompasses 100 hectares. Nuarta’s vision extended far beyond the landmark statue itself, however, and encapsulates a firm commitment to the arts and Balinese culture.
As such, a portion of the profits made from the operation of this $150 million investment will go to a non-profit foundation with the mission of maintaining Balinese culture. It will fund programs that foster cultural development through scholarships, arts training and heritage management, in addition to special programs in the arts and culture.

By 2005, the massive excavation pit that now houses bulldozers, trucks and fragments of the completed statue, will be converted into a virtual theme park of art, culture, recreation, business and commerce. Visitors to the GWK Cultural Park will have a multitude of choices from a street theatre, an amphitheater with a capacity of 12,000, galleries, an international trade promotion center housing 400 shops (for clothing, handicrafts, traditional Indonesian products and international luxury brands), a water park, not to mention, of course, the tallest statue in the world.
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana is the focal point of the International Arts and Culture Forum. The statue itself is made of copper and brass and several parts are plated with gold. It houses 60,000 square meters of rental exhibition and convention space. Included in this is 20,000 square meter space specifically allocated towards the development of an international pavilion to promote worldwide cultures.

Mr. Putu Agus Antara believes that the statue and park have great potential for generating tourism revenue for Bali, estimating an annual 5,000,000 Indonesian visitors alone. Of the 400 shop spaces available in the trade center, all have been sold. The development of a further 100 hectares is now under consideration. The park’s final completion date is set for 2005, but President Megawati will assist in a groundbreaking ceremony for the statue this year and the International Trade and Promotion Center will open its doors in October.
Hindus believe that the god Wisnu is always there if needed, and if the world falls into chaos, he will rise again. Mr. Antara would like his park to be a voice of hope during Indonesia’s troubled economic times. He states, “the GWK Park will show the Balinese that, although we are in crisis, we were still able to build and manage this project. I hope it will act as a starting engine for the local people.”