The island of Bali's sensational image was created by the tourists, artists, and scholars who visited the tiny nation between the two world wars. A Dutch colony from 1908, Bali was a source of revenue for the Dutch government, which began to develop its image as the ultimate vacation spot. The tourism industry spread the idea of Bali as a paradise in which noble, happy, spiritual Balinese--all prodigiously creative artists--lived in innocence. Sensual images of beautiful people on an enchanted isle unspoiled by modernity predominated. Bali also acquired a reputation as a homosexual paradise. A host of books and articles fed these images of Bali until it evolved into one of the most romantic stops on the tourist itinerary. The Balinese people, however, made little profit from the tourist traffic. This history of the development of tourism in Bali stretches from the Dutch occupation in 1906 to the Japanese occupation in 1942. After exhaustive research in published records and in unpublished letters, diaries, and oral histories left by many of the American and European visitors to the island as well as the Balinese residents, the author explores the reasons for Bali's popularity among Westerners and their effects on the native culture.

Father Thomas Kelly has been called to the Vatican. A Cardinal’s desperate plea: find a missing document that contains a secret so shocking it could shatter the Church. Livia Pietro, in Rome, has been called before the Noantri Conclave. Her mission: join the Jesuit priest on his search—because one misstep could destroy her people as well. As Thomas and Livia are thrown into a treacherous whirlwind of art, religion, and age-old secrets, they find themselves pursued by enemies who will do anything to stop them. Only the Conclave knows the true gravity of the document’s revelations. The Noantri—Livia and her people—are vampires. And the unimaginable secrets of their past are far too dangerous for man to ever know.

Giuseppe Pizzigoni, architect of classical and postwar modernism in northern Italy, owes his reputation to his connections with the Novecento movement, his independence from fascism, and his interest in innovative residential floor plans. Using redrawn plans of some 60 realized buildings, the design achievements are systematically analyzed, supplemented by explanations on the historical background, a systematic catalog, and up-to-date photographic documentation.

It is well-known that Indonesia is blessed with very rich and varied cultural traditions. From Aceh in West to Papua in the East, one finds spectacular creativity expressed through song, dance and in particular, art. It is only in recent years that the international art market has awakened to these treasures created throughout the archipelago, but due to the scarcity of well-developed and properly-maintained public museums, the majority of these masterpieces are obtained by private collectors for their homes. This results in scores of private museums scattered around the country where the treasures are carefully preserved in the notoriously humid tropical climate. In the past, the only way to view these artworks would be via a personal invitation to these private homes. This book, Indonesian Odyssey, opens the doors to these collections for the world to see and enjoy. Dr. Helena Spanjaard, one of Indonesia¿s most respected art historians, has gained unprecedented access to twenty-one of the country¿s most avid collectors, gathering extraordinary insight into their collecting history and philosophy. Indonesian Odyssey profiles each collector and walks the reader through their favorite pieces, assembling an unparalleled anthology of more than 100 artists: from local masters such as Affandi and Hendra Gunawan, and their Indo-European counterparts like Rudolf Bonnet and Willem Hofker; to leaders of the contemporary movement like Rudi Mantofani and I Nyoman Masriadi. Lavishly illustrated with full-color reproductions of more than 230 paintings, Indonesian Odyssey provides a comprehensive catalog of Indonesian art and is a required resource for all collectors - both those with established collections and those just embarking on their own individual journey.