JP\/19\/MKYOGYA<\/p>\n
Jakarta hosts Yogyakarta cultural fair<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta is said to be the heart and soul of Javanese culture.<\/p>\n
But, like man, no city is an island. Consequently, Yogyakarta
\nhas to deal with the impact of modernization and urbanization.
\nThus, inhabitants and visitors alike often express disappointment
\nover how little of Yogyakarta's legendary heritage nowadays can
\nbe explored.<\/p>\n
That there is still a vivid cultural scene, is shown at the
\nsixth Gelar Seni Budaya Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Art and Cultural
\nExhibition).<\/p>\n
This year's event, which is held to commemorate the 249th
\nanniversary of Negari Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (the Kingdom of
\nYogyakarta) and has the purpose of promoting the potential of the
\nYogyakarta Special Territory (DIY), focuses on several
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
An educational exhibition is carried out at Artha Gading Mall,
\nNorth Jakarta, to further introduce the various types of
\neducational programs and the favorable atmosphere for students of
\nnumerous subject areas to be found in the city.(see Where to go
\nsection for details)<\/p>\n
On Tuesday and Wednesday, an investment exhibition was held at
\nWorld Trade Center, Central Jakarta, comprising of a panel
\ndiscussion, regents' presentations and individual business
\nmeetings.<\/p>\n
Also at WTC, Yogyakarta painting and batik exhibitions are on
\ndisplay.<\/p>\n
The official opening of the fair on Tuesday, conducted by
\nYogyakarta Deputy Governor Sri Paduka Paku Alam IX was enriched
\nby a performance of a menak dance (a dance depicting women
\nwarriors preparing for battle).<\/p>\n
In WTC's atrium, visitors can learn a lot about Yogyakarta
\nbatik, considered to be the most traditional in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
About 260 patented patterns from private collections are on
\ndisplay and women members of Sekar Jagad Association Yogyakarta,
\n(Yogyakarta batik lovers and makers association) among them two
\naunts of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, can be watched as they make
\nbatik on the place.<\/p>\n
Ibu Suliantoro Sulaeman, head of the association and a batik-
\nmaker for more than 50 years, told The Jakarta Post:<\/p>\n
\"In earlier centuries, making batik was a common hobby for
\nwomen. They didn't do it to sell their work, but as a pastime and
\nto produce some of the family's clothes themselves.\"<\/p>\n
\"Until today, making batik is still an occupation for women,
\nwhich suits our culture. They can work at home and still be good
\nmothers for their children.\"<\/p>\n
The batik-purists at the WTC feel the need to promote real
\nhandmade batik at a time when most customers are more concerned
\nwith buying clothes as cheaply as possible.<\/p>\n
Ibu Suliantoro said: \"There is a lot of false batik on the
\nmarket. Even many of the well-off people attending the opening
\nare wearing cheap fakes. Thus, there is a veritale danger of
\ntraditional batik disappearing.\"<\/p>\n
As authenticity and quality are usually quite costly, one will
\nspend between Rp 400,000 and Rp 10 million for a 105 centimeter-
\nby-250 centimeter piece of original batik.<\/p>\n
Titus Budisusatyo, another member of Sekar Jagad, explained
\nwhat determines a batik's price: \"First it depends on whether the
\ndesign is painted by hand or stamped onto the cloth. Then whether
\nsilk or cotton and whether natural or chemical colors are used.
\nMoreover, one has to take into account the complexity of the
\nmotif and the number of colors used.\"<\/p>\n
\"What is important to know as well is that up to 16 layers of
\npaint will be needed. Altogether, to make a piece of batik cloth
\nmay take up to a year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Besides this fascinating and educative journey through the
\nworld of Yogyakarta's batik, there is a lot more to see at the
\nWTC.<\/p>\n
In the lobby and the atrium, the exhibition Sapaan a la Jogja
\nis showing about 100 recent works from both well-established and
\nupcoming Yogyakarta painters.<\/p>\n
The techniques chosen and subjects depicted frequently
\nrepresent a perfect synthesis between the long-standing and the
\nmodern.<\/p>\n
Thus, even if unintentionally, the artists make clear one
\nthing: The two can go together just fine in Yogya.<\/p>\n
in box:<\/p>\n
Gelar Seni Budaya Yogyakarta VI
\nbatik exhibition through Dec. 9 (9 a.m. through 6 p.m.)
\npaintings exhibition through Dec. 11 (10 a.m. 4 p.m.)
\nin the lobby and atrium of
\nWorld Trade Center, Jl. Sudirman kav.29-31, Central Jakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp19mkyogya-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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