Drive to keep batik fresh gets a boost with high school contest
Drive to keep batik fresh gets a boost with high school contest
By Dewi Kurniawati
JAKARTA (JP): Probably the only way to ensure that a cultural
tradition survives in changing times is to get the younger
generation hooked.
Batik is getting a help in its effort, with a Batik Pesisiran
Design Competition for high school students from Jakarta, Bogor,
Tangerang and Bekasi, held last Sunday at the Textile Museum and
cosponsored by batik manufacturer PT Batik Keris.
About 81 students from 25 schools participated in the
competition.
"The enthusiasm from the student participants is something to
be proud of, we need to remind them about batik as (part of)
their identity. Moreover it's to promote the existence of this
museum that's now almost forgotten," said Dewi Rudiati in her
capacity as the head of the museum and the chairwoman of the
organizing comittee.
"My participation in the competition today is simply to try
out my capability of drawing. I joined a batik painting course
here, and they suggested that I should give it a try," said 18-
year-old Stella Maria.
"I like batik, and I think this is one way to conserve it. But
I don't really wear it because it is quite expensive."
Pesisiran, the batik from outside the courts of Yogyakarta and
Surakarta and influenced by Chinese and European designs, was
chosen because it was considered more dynamic and synonomous with
youth. It hails from such areas as Cirebon, Pekalongan, Banten
and Madura.
"The colorful design is in line with the spirit of the young,
and in that way it is easier for them to express their
creativity," Dewi said.
The first-place winner was Astri Astuti Pitarini from Santa
Ursula. Besides a savings account, plus a free batik course from
the museum, her winning creation may be produced by Batik Keris.
"I didn't think I would win, my rivals were better, I think,"
said Astri, 16, who won with a design of birds surrounded by
flowers.
"My motivation to join this competition was only to have a go,
I've never tried designing batik before, although I have visited
this museum once."
She did not agree with batik's staid reputation.
"I personally don't think batik is just for old people, there
are models in magazines who wear batik, too, and they look
trendy."
The first batik design competition was held last year for
junior high school students. The museum organizes traditional
batik making courses for the public and holds periodic
exhibitions of its extensive collection of the textile.
"Next year we will hold a competition for university students,
so we'll know each level's appreciation of batik," said
organizing committee member Tukiran Effendi.