Introducing Art & immersive environment, Art & Bali
VAULT speaks to Kelsang Dolma, director of Art & Bali 2025, Bali's first-ever international art fair, launching 12–14 September 2025 at Nuanu Creative City.
Image credit: The Gate - Aurora Media Park by DELIVERED. Courtesy of Nuanu Creative City
Can you tell us a bit about what Art & Bali is, and what can we expect from the inaugural event?
Art & Bali 2025 is set to be Bali’s first international art fair of its kind, taking place from 12 to 14 September at Nuanu, a 44 hectare Creative City. The name itself—Art & Bali—captures the essence of the fair: a space where art converges with the island’s rich cultural and natural heritage, reaffirming Bali’s role as a global crossroads of cultures.
Designed as more than just a marketplace, Art & Bali is a bridge between Indonesian and international art communities, bringing together artists, galleries, collectors and institutions from across Southeast Asia and beyond. It aims to deepen connections between the region’s art scene and the global market while leveraging Bali’s international appeal as a leading cultural and tourism destination.
The fair’s theme, “Bridging Dichotomies”, explores the intersections between tradition and modernity, nature and technology, and human and artificial intelligence, reflecting the tensions and harmonies that shape contemporary art today. By activating five venues within Nuanu Creative City, the fair will offer curated gallery presentations, large-scale installations, digital art experiences and experimental projects that push the boundaries of conventional art fairs.
Aligned with Nuanu’s core pillars of sustainability, innovation and culture, Art & Bali will connect today’s art and cultural practices with responsible and forward-thinking approaches. Through thoughtful curation and interdisciplinary collaboration, we are creating an art fair that not only elevates Indonesian contemporary art on a global stage but also redefines how art is experienced—both in harmony with nature and through cutting-edge technology.
Image credit: Earth Sentinels by Daniel Popper. Courtesy of Nuanu Creative City
The Fair will be taking place at Nuanu Creative City. Why is this the perfect place for it?
Nuanu Creative City is the ideal host for Art & Bali, not just as a venue but as a fully immersive creative ecosystem where art, nature and innovation intersect. Unlike conventional exhibition halls, it offers a dynamic setting where artistic expression is woven into architecture, technology, and experiential spaces.
Already home to major art projects and installations, Nuanu features Aurora Media Park—Bali’s first outdoor multimedia park, Daniel Popper’s Earth Sentinels and THK Tower by Arthur Mamou-Mani, all developed in collaboration with multimedia creative production company DELIVERED. The fair will also activate Labyrinth Art Gallery and Dome for immersive 360-degree visual art, alongside dedicated spaces for artist residencies, craft workshops and performances. Further expanding its role as a key art destination, Nuanu will soon welcome Eugene Kangawa’s Museum, designed by Andra Matin, reinforcing its long-term commitment to contemporary and experimental art.
Beyond its rich cultural offerings, Nuanu is a one-stop destination, designed to host Art & Bali in an environment where creativity, hospitality and culture come together effortlessly. Visitors can experience Luna Beach Club, a beachfront space for art, music and culinary experiences, Oshom Bali hotel, a sanctuary for creatives and cultural travellers, and Lumeira Social Wellness Complex, home to the world’s largest wood-fired sauna, offering a retreat that seamlessly blends wellbeing with artistic inspiration. Pasar Nusantara, Nuanu’s marketplace dedicated to Indonesian food and craftsmanship, further deepens the fair’s connection to local heritage, making it more than just an art event, but a journey through Indonesia’s diverse cultural landscape.
Nuanu is also actively shaping a sustainable platform for artistic growth through ongoing art residencies, open calls, craft preservation programs and site-specific installations. Hosting Art & Bali here is not just about staging an event—it’s about creating a lasting cultural movement that cements Indonesia’s place in the global art scene while offering collectors, artists and visitors an unparalleled experience in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Image credit: Labyrinth Art Gallery. Courtesy of Labyrinth
How did the idea for this new and major fair come about?
Art & Bali is a natural extension of Nuanu’s vision to foster artistic education, preservation, and expression while creating a meaningful platform for Indonesian and Southeast Asian artists to engage with the global art world. Rooted in Bali’s deep artistic heritage and growing contemporary scene, the fair strengthens Indonesia’s position on the world stage through dialogue, collaboration and global connections alongside leading industry leaders.
Nuanu
Bali has always envisioned a space where artists, collectors, and changemakers can collaborate and drive real-world impact through creativity. Art & Bali embodies this mission—not just as an art fair, but as a redefined cultural experience that integrates contemporary art, heritage, sustainability and digital innovation, shaping the future of artistic engagement in the region.
Image credit: In front of an art installation at Labyrinth Art Gallery. Courtesy of Labyrinth
What is the significance of an event like this for Bali/Indonesia/Southeast Asia?
Art & Bali contributes to Indonesia’s growing creative economy by providing a dedicated platform for contemporary artistic exchange. As Southeast Asia continues to gain global recognition for its dynamic art scene, Indonesia’s younger generation of artists and galleries are pushing boundaries with bold and innovative practices. This fair supports that momentum by offering a thoughtfully curated space for dialogue, collaboration and artistic appreciation.
With Bali’s strong international appeal and Nuanu’s immersive environment, Art & Bali reimagines how an art fair can be experienced—integrating exhibition spaces, site-specific installations, and cross-disciplinary programming within a setting that blends art, nature and cultural heritage. Beyond simply showcasing art, it serves as a bridge between regional and global art communities, creating meaningful connections between artists, institutions, collectors and visitors.
