Batik - 01

The art of Textile

Part 1

Various Styles and Motifs of Batik

Batik is an Indonesian traditional art cloth painting.  Batik grows as a part of Indonesian daily life. In the past, when the monarchism power was exist, especially in Java, Batik also included one of the status and power symbol. There were certain rules that do not allow some certain batik motifs worn by any kind or common people. Even among the elite palace there were gradations of motif usage, perhaps the rules stem from the will to enforce the royal authority. At the time, it seems that Batik was an instrument of political culture. However, at present these rules are no more applicable.

So far, there is no fixed reference to validate exactly since when the art of batik began to grow, but certainly up to nowadays, batik that is one of the geniuses of textile art is still keep growing and developing. Traditionally, variety of design and motif are taken from surrounding natural forms and colors. The idea of its motifs and forms are very close to the motifs and forms of plants, animals other nature forms such as mountains and water or sea, besides its natural motif there also found abstract motifs.

There are hundreds of motifs in batik, it is because of batik styles and motifs naturally growth from every region and each region bring their cultural root to influence the motif and its design. Some religion then develop their own model and style, growing become to an own typical contemporary motif. Today has grown tens of contemporary motifs along the country.

UNESCO designated Batik as a Heritage for Humanity for the Oral and Intangible Cultural

(Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity) since October 2, 2009.

The following are classification of some types of Indonesia batik motifs:

1. Classical Motifs

    a.      Parang Motif 
     
             a. 1. Parang Barong
             a. 2.  Parang Rusak
             a. 3.  Parang Klitik
             a. 4.  Parang Slobog
             a. 5.  Parang Kusuma

     b.   Kawung Motif

2. Contemporary Motifs

    a. Pekalongan Style
    b. Madura Style
    c.  Bali Style
    d. Tasikmalaya Style
    e. Lampung Style

1. Classical Motifs of Batik

Hundreds of batik motifs already identified, from both classical and contemporary. As usual, the classical motif is a steady motif in almost all aspect; colors, design, and style there are no alteration. In Java, classical batik motifs are derived from the Mataram royal palace, so that these traditional batik motifs generally associated with the Jogjakarta and Surakarta's (Solo) batik style. Jogjakarta and Surakarta is two cities that identified as ‘capital’ of Javanese culture.

To be continued on Batik part 2 : ClassicalMotifs Description.

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