Zauji and I can be said to be among the couples who rarely attend an event.
In addition to work, our routine is only around visiting my mother and
other relatives. On holidays, sometimes we fill up by attending studies or shopping for either routine necessities or just a fad of washing our eyes.
But there is one event that I almost never missed: the Bandung batik exhibition that is often held every year.
Batik
It
feels good to be a pride for anyone who loves Indonesia. Since ancient times, batik has become an undeniable identity of the Indonesian
nation. At first, batik was only worn by nobles, who used it at certain
moments, such as wedding ceremonies, births, or deaths. Over time, batik became known to more and more people, including the common people. Today, batik is
not only worn in formal events but also becomes a dress in everyday
life.
Since its launch as a great work of humanitarian heritage for oral and non-couched culture, or a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, by UNESCO in 2009, batik increasingly occupies a special space that is not only inherent in everyday life but also goes international.
Batik
is not only synonymous with the land of Java but also can be recognized
in other areas such as Bali, Toraja, and Papua. Batik motifs in Indonesia
reach thousands with their own uniqueness and strength that describe the
beauty of the culture and traditions of the archipelago that have
existed even since the Mataram period. Batik motifs have a standard
arrangement according to their respective philosophies.
A
total of 5,849 batik motifs from Aceh to Papua were successfully documented by the Bandung Fe Institute and Sobat Budaya. Do you know that
friends are attached to our daily lives without us knowing? Call it the
motif of ‘mega-mids’ from Cirebon, ‘kawung’ from Central Java, ‘parang’
from Java, ‘priyangan’ from Tasikmalaya, and ‘sido mukti’ from Solo.
Batik Man Making
Batik
is a painting work using night search material on top of the
fabric, forming a distinctive motif. In the past, batik was made by
directing the design made by the batik on the cloth using a pencil and
then painted manually by hand using canting. Not only that, natural dyes
are still difficult to obtain, and quality fabrics make batik exclusive
and not arbitrarily worn.
Over
time, the type of batik stamp or stamp began to be developed. Production
tools in the form of metal as a special printing tool in the form of
motifs that are desired to make batik manufacture can be done en masse
in a short time. Batik is no longer dominated by the royal family. Batik
is no longer a long cloth, a sarong, scarf, dodot, kemben, or
headband. Now even we can find a variety of products using batik fabric
as the basic material, such as hats, tees, sheets, and others.
The
development of technology makes batik manufacturing even more diverse.
Batik screen printing (screening) is printing with more expressive motifs
and colors made with a variety of fabrics such as cotton, silk,
polyester, organdie, denim, and others.
OOTD Batik
I knew batik myself since I started working. Because we don’t know the uniform, we have to be diligent in matching the outfit we wear every day. Initially the blazer became our choice, but the trend of office outfits shifted to a more simple, lightweight batik top that still impressed formally.
In
the early 2000s, there were not many choices of batik clothes in the
market, especially in small towns. In the city of Bandung, there are only
a few shops that sell batik fabric with classic motifs. Since I don’t
like the clothes I wear ‘hect in the twins’ with other people, I more
often ask my mother to sew my clothes with the batik cloth I bought.
Batik fabrics are also often obtained when I go to the area
or give them to colleagues. Although the type of fabric and batik motif
continues to grow, my taste still does not shift from the type of
cotton fabric that easily absorbs sweat and simple motifs with soft
colors. Not infrequently, I deliberately buy batik with a classic motif to add to a
collection.
I
also got acquainted with a batik cloth seller in a supermarket in the
city of Bandung. It turns out that he often designs and makes his own
batik fabric motifs that he sells. The uniqueness of the batik motif
that I often use attracts the attention of many friends, so I took
the initiative to sell it.
From him, I always got information on batik exhibitions held in Bandung.
Batik Exhibition
The
city of Bandung itself often holds batik exhibition events, either in
the mall area or in a special building that is commonly used for large
events or exhibitions, such as Graha Mandala Siliwangi, Sabuga, or
Sudirman Grand Ballroom. Batik exhibition organizers are usually the
mall or micro, small, and medium enterprises that cooperate with
other parties.
One of the Bandung batik exhibitions that is often held is the Batik Embroidery Festival and Weaving Nusantara. This exhibition was first known in 2015. The
event that is present every year is located in Graha Manggala
Siliwangi, Jalan Aceh. Usually this event is held every 3 months, but it
was stopped during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
This year, the
Batik Embroidery Festival and Weal Nusantara were held in February and
June 2022. I myself took the opportunity to hunt batik in the second
event, namely in June, which was followed by 70 batik artistic booths and various MSMEs from various regions.
We can choose a variety of batik from various regions, such as Cirebon, Solo, Pekalongan, and Yogyakarta. Not only that, but a
variety of embroidery products, excellent accessories such as brooches, and
other accessories are ready to welcome the arrival of fans of the
typical archipelago.
This
festival was held from June 15 to 19, 2022, and became part of the
commemoration of the 76th anniversary of Kodam III/Siliwangi, which
falls every May 20. The recovery of the economic wheel was so felt when we
entered the entrance of the exhibition.
Not
paid alias free, Menong friends feel welcomed by batik heaven that will
spoil the eyes and soul. Followed by many famous batik artist brands in
the whole archipelago, it is not wrong if I whined and forced Zauji to
accompany me.
Fronted
by Maxxindo Communication as an event organizer, the exhibition titled
UMKM Festival and Batik Siliwangi 2022 successfully captured the hearts
of batik lovers while providing a way to revive the economy that had waned over the past two years.
Not only does the batik booth provide various types and motifs of batik, but the Bandung batik exhibition also collaborates with various performers
to participate in enlivening the atmosphere. Many of the visitors present
are loyal fans of this batik exhibition, as are I and Zauji.
Batik Garutan and Cirebonan
Right
after the entrance is usually filled with a Java batik booth complete
with embroidery. The route we take usually starts to the left, then stops
by some Javanese batik booths such as Solo and Yogya. Both have
distinctive colors that tend to be dark. The price is usually in the
above range of 125-150 thousand for a batik stamp. Batik Tulis itself has
a much higher price, at least 500 thousand for a piece of fabric with a
length of 2 m and a width of 1.50 m.
Batik
Gargart and Cirebon are my favorites because they are relatively
cheaper. This is certainly distinguished because the type of fabric is
also different. Oftentimes I ask and look around; the woven fabric always
attracts my attention because of its beautiful motif and luxurious look.
Actually,
batik clothes with various models and prices are also available. The
cheapest price can reach $50,000 for men's and women's shirts. Of
course, the quality of fabrics and motifs is different.
Another
booth I love is accessories, such as brooches or other crafts that often
provide relatively cheaper prices. Not really. I also follow the talk
show that is held almost every hour.
Before
visiting the Bandung batik exhibition, of course I had predicted what
colors and motifs I do not have, although in the end blue and purple
have always been my choice of eyes.
Since
I’ve memorized the agenda at every batik exhibition, I deliberately
came on the last day of the exhibition. Many booths give discounts so I can get more fabric to buy.
And
it seems this trick has also been known to loyal visitors of batik
exhibitions that are widely attended by the upper middle class. Many
people deliberately hunt for antique batik at a slashed price directly
from the craftsman without needing to go all the way to the city of
origin.
Visiting
the Bandung batik exhibition is not only quality time for me and
Zauji but also a means to get to know the culture and traditions of the
archipelago that will slowly be eroded if we are not able to
preserve it. Let's buy batik!
References to Bandung Batik Exhibition from various sources
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