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Y O U R E Y E S O N L Y
FOR so long, the idea of wellness—a holistic
integration of a physical, mental, and spiritual
well-being—has been associated with everything
from yoga retreats to hotel staycations. It can
also include simpler at-home activities such as
gardening and coloring. Whatever the method,
wellness today is often considered to be another
word for self-care when in reality, the age-old
concept of wellness is a holistic experience that
extends beyond someone’s individual self.
Wellness is supposed to acknowledge the
multifaceted dimensions of life, including not
just personal well-being but also the health of
communities and the planet. In today’s world
marked by social pressures, economic instability,
and the looming reality of climate anxiety, it is
especially important to think of wellness beyond
acts of caring for the self.
Nuanu Creative City emerges as a sanctuary
dedicated to this redefinition. Spanning 44 hectares
along Bali’s picturesque Tabanan coastline, Nuanu
integrates culture, nature, and innovation to
nurture a vibrant community of artists, thinkers,
and change-makers. At its core, Nuanu challenges
conventional wellness narratives by positioning
well-being as an experiential, multi-sensory
journey that thrives at the intersection of art,
nature, and technology.
“We don’t see wellness as just an individual
pursuit,” explained Ida Ayu Astari Prada the Brand
& Communications Director of Nuanu to OXO.
“It’s about the collective. It’s about designing
environments where people feel inspired, engaged,
and part of something bigger than themselves.”
Creativity, Nature, Connection, and Community
as Paths to Well-Being
As self-expression through art, culture, and
storytelling has been known to significantly reduce
stress-related hormones in individuals, Nuanu
initiatives such as Sol Studio and Culture Village
amplifies this by allowing communal artistic
expressions. Sol Studio itself is a recently unveiled
dance studio that allows people of all ages to
experiment and learn a mix of contemporary
and modern dance. Their practice is not just
bound within their meticulously designed studio
but expands out to the green spaces of Nuanu,
allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable dance
practice.
Nuanu recognizes nature as an essential pillar of
wellness, ensuring to take specific measures to
preserve and conserve nature in every step of
its life cycle. In 2024, its reforestation program
planted more than 15,000 trees in Nuanu, which
will allow over 137,000 kg of CO2e emission to
be absorbed each year. The space’s integrated
waste management program also successfully
recycled 82% of waste in 2024, avoiding 38,158
kg of carbon/year from being released into the
environment. Here again, Nuanu’s initiatives
redefine what it means to live in balance with
nature.
“We see sustainability as an act of well-being,”
Prada further explained. “It’s not just about
green policies; it’s about creating a space where
people feel good because they know their
surroundings are thriving.” Scientific studies
have shown that spending time in green spaces
significantly reduces stress, improves mood,
and enhances cognitive function. By embedding
ecological mindfulness into its urban planning,
Nuanu ensures that wellness is not just about
feeling good—it’s about sustaining a thriving
environment that supports future generations.
Meanwhile, Culture Village serves as a space
to preserve Bali and Indonesia’s cultural
heritage through traditional art performances,
and collaborative workshops. Here, artisans,
musicians, and cultural practitioners from
around the world converge to share knowledge,
co-create, and celebrate diverse traditions. This
allows creators to merge cultural traditions
with
contemporary
artistic
movements,
enriching personal growth while also reinforcing
cultural resilience. Culture Village ensures that
wellness extends beyond individual self-care
to reach the preservation and revitalization of
communal heritage.
The same can be said about Nuanu’s upcoming
one-of-a-kind art fair, the first iteration of Art &
Bali. With Bridging Dichotomies as its theme, the
fair aims to create dialogue between seemingly
contradicting notions, bringing together artists,
thinkers, and local communities. Through
these communal practices, the process of
experiencing art in Nuanu becomes an active
practice of mindfulness as people are given
safe spaces to express themselves together;
away from today’s increasingly alienating,
digital-bound, everyday life.
At Nuanu, art becomes not only a way for
people to channel their emotions, but also
a way to find meaning, to nurture a sense of
belonging and purpose, proving that well-being
can be found in shared human experiences
rather than solitary retreats.
Technology as the New Wellness Frontier
In today’s fast-paced digital age, technology is
often seen as a source of stress, often pushing
people beyond their sensory limits, yet Nuanu
envisions a future where technology can be a
medium for healing and wellness. One example
is singer Leonie Bos’ show at the Labyrinth
Dome, aptly titled The Medicine. The Dome is
a 12-meter-high, round-top structure equipped
with 12 video projectors and a full 360° sound
system designed to be a temple of immersive
experiences for up to 600 guests. Leonie
Bos’ soothing voice, paired with a curated
visual background transports audiences into
a space that embraces calmness, curiosity,
and emotional release, demonstrating how
technology can be harnessed to enhance well-
being rather than detract from it.
The Future of Wellness Redefines Rest and
Play
At the end of the day, Nuanu recognizes that
true well-being requires balance. The creative
city encourages a fluid integration of rest
and play, providing spaces where individuals
can both unwind and explore new creative
endeavors. Unlike traditional wellness spaces
that focus solely on relaxation, Nuanu creates
an environment where active engagement
with the arts, community projects, and
environmental
stewardship
becomes
an
integral part of one’s well-being journey.
“We believe in engagement,” said Prada. “In
today’s world, wellness can’t just be about
‘switching off’—it has to be about finding joy
and purpose in the everyday.”
Whether it’s through dancing under the open
sky, planting trees, co-creating art, or simply
sharing ideas over coffee, wellness in Nuanu
is about living fully—not just retreating from
the world, but shaping it. This ultimately is why
Nuanu Creative City is not just a destination;
it is a blueprint for the future of wellness. Its
emphasis on creativity, community, nature,
and technology, demonstrates that wellness is
not just about self-care but about cultivating a
world where individuals, communities, and the
environment can flourish together.
•"Nuanu recognizes that true well-being requires balance. The creative city
encourages a fluid integration of rest and play, providing spaces where individuals
can both unwind and explore new creative endeavors."