The most unusual part of our glimpse of the art scene in Ubud was the workplace of an artist who makes gates out of the roots of lychee trees.  The roots themselves are wild with texture and movement and not really wanted by the farmers once the trees are down.  An intricate Medusa head, faces of the various deities and monsters with the doorways worked into the design filled his workyard.  The gates are huge structures — about 15 feet high and just as wide. Ira and I have considered replacing our gate many times but somehow this work is just not the right look for Addison Street. The same woodworker also devised a technique for combining  glass with wood.  Next to his lychee carving operation is a glass blowing “factory”.  The glass is blown and, prior to cooling, the molten form is placed on a piece of wood. The bottom of the vessel then contours to the form of the wood while scorching it a bit.  These glass/wood pieces are created  in many sizes and several shapes – mostly bowls and vases.

The woodworker even sculpted his bicycle, which he insisted he could ride even with the elaborate head and wings that decorate it. 

Stone sculpture is also very popular. Stone-faced Buddhas and Hindu gods and deities— all sizes and styles– are sold in roadside warongs everywhere. On Oct.25 we took ourselves for a stroll through Ubud, starting with some alleyways lined with stalls selling batiks, sarongs, teak bowls, etc  and ended up on Monkey Forest Road, a street known for its many shops. The city is lively — filled with people on motor scooters, pedestrians, and alleys with outdoor vendors.