Batik is an artistic technique of dyeing a cloth by using a wax-resist method. Wax-resist method is the most traditional way to dye or color a cloth. This method prevents the dye from spreading on the entire cloth and so as to give a beautiful pattern or design on the cloth. Batik is regarded as the cultural and traditional art in Indonesia. The traditional colors used for Batik are deep shades of indigo, dark brown and white which symbolize the three main Hindu Gods. Javanese Batik, from Jogjakarta with some particular meaning is found in countries of West Africa like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and Mali with the true Javanese idea, and in Asia like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma.

Long ago, in the ancient period around 1500 years ago, the dye resist designs on the cloth were found in Egypt and the Middle East along with the two major countries, samples are also found in Turkey, India, China, Japan and West Africa around hundreds of years ago. In the present date, Batik is highly developed form of art found on the island of Java, Indonesia. In the 17th century, the fabrics were highly decorated with Dutch transcripts, by it is often believed that complicated designs in Java were possible when the finely woven imported cloth that was from India to Indonesia in 1800s and then from Europe in 1815. The similar Batik designs that were done on textiles earlier are noticed on stone statues that are beautifully sculptured on the walls of Javanese temples like Prambanan AD 800, but then it is not yet confirmed that the cloth was Batik. These designs could be produced by weaving techniques too. However, by the 19th century became greatly developed form of art in the cultural life of the Javanese.

There were some specific Batik designs worn by the Javanese royalty and thus it was felt that Batik was originally meant to be worn by the monarchs of the royal Sultan’s palace. The Princesses and royal women might have encouraged the finest designs of Batik that reflect the traditional patters. Well, the untidy dyeing work with consequent waxing was done by the court artisans who worked under their direction.

Known as the great fans of art, Javanese royalty supported the development of traditional art form like silver embellishment, leather puppets known as wayang kulit in java and gamelan orchestra. The Javanese dalang (puppeteer) was a major source for the Batik patterns too. Wayang puppets are made from goat skin which was treated and colored to build false impression on the puppet, were usually sold to women who could get the necessary idea of batik designs from these puppets. The used charcoal and blew it through the holes that describe the design of puppet clothing, so that they could copy complicated patterns onto the cloth.

However, some scholars deny the fact that Batik was originally meant for royalty as they feel that it is meant for the rakyat, the people too. It was considered as a significant job for young women of the Central Java, revealing the fact that they are capable enough to handle a canting (an instrument shaped like pen to apply wax to the cloth) with enough tact and skill just like skills used in cookery or other household arts.

Batik is a traditional process that uses wax-resist technique in its making. Wax resist methods prevents the dye from spreading to the entire cloth, ultimately creating beautiful batik designs and patterns. The cloth used for Batik can either be cotton or silk as it can quickly absorb the wax used in dye resisting procedure. The fabric must be densely woven and should be of high quality so that the intricate patterns are reflected in the Batik quality designs.

The cloth used for Batik is initially washed and boiled in plain water for a number of times before the wax is applied. It is done so to remove all the traces of starch, lime, chalk or other chemicals are completed washed away from the cloth. The traditional method of creating Batik was that the cloth was crushed with wooden mallet or ironed so that it becomes smooth and flexible and this helped to make best designs and Batik patterns. But now, the machine made cloth is smooth and supple enough to omit the pounding or the ironing process. Generally this system was adopted in the Batik making process.

The best quality of cloth used to make Batik designs include Primissima and Prima, and the quality of the cloth is also mentioned on the edge of the pattern. Blaco is often used for Batik which is a lesser quality cloth.

Design equipments

Though Batik designs and patterns may be intricate, but the Batik design tools are quite simple. Canting, the wax pen is a pure Javanese invention, is a thin walled small copper container with a spout having a short handle made of bamboo. Its length is about 11 cm and is filled with melted wax and with the help of canting artisans creates beautiful designs on the cloth. The spouts are of various sizes which help to create different design effects. For a fine and detailed art, a spout with diameter 1mm is used and to fill in the larger designs wider spouts are used. A canting with 9 spouts is used to draw dots or parallel lines. A clump of cotton is tied over the mouth of the canting or may attach it to a stick and this acts as a brush to fill up very large sections.

Once a pattern or a design is drawn on the cloth, it is ready to be waxed. To maintain the original color (white or cream) of the cloth, the artisans apply wax with the help of the canting. The fabric is wrapped over bamboo frames for the wax to cool which later on becomes hard. The wax is melted to attain the desired consistency in the wajan in which the artisan dip the chanting and fill it with melted wax. For a well defined batik, wax is applied on both sides of the fabric.

After the application of the wax, the fabric needs to be dyed for the first time. Initially, earthenware tubs were used for dying but now large concrete vats are used. The fabric is draped on the ropes with pulleys and immersed in a dye tub. For a darker color the cloth must remain in the dye for a longer period after which it is put in cold water to make the wax harder. After the cloth is dyed properly for the first time, the artisans apply wax to the areas where the first dye color is to be maintained. Now the area that was waxed initially needs to be cleaned by removing the wax with a small knife, dabbed with hot water and then resized, so that it can be dyed in similar manner with a subsequent dye tub. You can even give a marble effect by cracking the wax so that the dye enters into the cracks before it is put for dye bath.

Lastly, you need to wash the traditionally dyed Batiks with soap and water or lerak fruit which is available in traditional markets. Always dry the Batiks in shade and not under direct sunlight.

To know more about Batik making process and the traditional art, visit buy batik clothing See the beautiful patterns in Batik at handmade batik apparels Know more about Batik at krafonline.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Hanson

What is batik? I can safely make this statement that while many people know or have heard about this word, especially so here in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, but many people do not, or rather, have got a wrong misconception of batik itself.

In my discussions with friends and general public, many people have mistaken batik with batik design/ batik designs or even batik fabric.

History has it that batik is an old craft that dates centuries back. Batik is actually a hand-drawn and hand-painted technique, which uses wax.

The wax is a form of ‘resist’ method, and the purpose of this method is so that when colour is put on a certain spot on the fabric, it does not run to the other part. Let’s take an example – an artist is is going to draw a floral motif and he wants the background blue eg. the motif of a flower (a yellow flower with a green stalk).

Now, imagine that the artist will be drawing on a white piece of cloth. The artist will first draw the outline of the motif (ie. the flower & stalk) with wax. And later, he will start to paint, starting with the yellow colour of the flower. What the wax does is to hold the yellow in place, so that it will not run to the green stalk. And when he paints with green next, the same thing applies, that is the green will not flow to the yellow flower. Finally, he paints the blue background.

And of course, the artist will later have to wash the wax off the cloth, hence leaving that part which was originally covered with wax back to its original white fabric colour. Hence, the white outline for the motif. And that is all it is to the meaning of batik.

However as mentioned earlier, a lot of people mistake batik with batik design/ batik designs especially if they see a traditional or floral type motif, or patterns on a cloth that have white outlines. These may or may not necessary come from the ‘batik’ technique, as it could come from modern day print.

In addition, just because these prints have the more traditional motifs/ patterns, don’t mistake them to come from the art form of batik.

In fact, there are modern designs, which actually are made from the batik technique as well. But people do not know it is so because it does not have the traditional look and feel to it.

So my suggestion to you that if you appreciate art, and batik in particular, first be aware whether the fabric you buy really comes from the batik art. And secondly to be open minded to embrace the change in modern times that batik need not necessary relate just to old motif/ patterns.

QuaChee is the author-publisher of the unique batik book, Batik Inspirations (http://www.batikinspirations.com), published under his company, Q.Ce. His company (http://www.quachee.com) specialises in lifestyle & entertainment (publishing, apparels, and productions) – modernising old-age heritage and traditions, and bringing them to a new concept. His dream is for these art forms to appeal to all generations, and at the same time relate to them, thus keeping the heritage and tradition alive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvin_Titus

With the recent economic “waking up” of global emerging markets, it would only be logical that other social segments of such markets would enjoy a revival of sort as well, and art forms of many kinds are no exception to this new found revival.

An artist from such an emerging market is Rita and she creates within an art form which is some 2000 years old and has been practiced in our western hemisphere only sparingly, partially due to its complexity, very time consuming and hot, messy application during the process of creating this art. Most everyone is familiar with this art when associated with linen and clothing, but less knowledgeable as to hanging wall art and framed work.

The art form I am referring to is BATIK. The art of Batik has several styles and forms and in accordance to global regions of their origin. There is the Chinese Batik, African Batik, Ukraine Batik and Batik styles from the Americas and the Caribbean Island. All have the same basis and use the same or similar materials in connection with this art, but it’s the application process and its higher complexity of such application, which differs the regional labeling. The most detailed and resolution wise (at least in my humble opinion) the most beautiful Batik art form, is the not yet mentioned Java Batik, the form of Batik Art which I create and have been for some 30 years. The extra efforts, details and time consumption applied to this style of Batik Art is indisputably recognized by its final outcome of colors so vibrant and details of work so prevalent, the viewer could easily see it as “alive” if not at least visually most penetrating.

Perhaps this would be the right moment to describe this elusive art form and its method of application, and from experiences on the art show circle, I have encountered that even judges in juried competition have very limited knowledge as to the methods applied and efforts behind this form of art. However, whenever I’d invite such judges into my booth and made a presentation as to the creation of Batik Art, I did end up with an award for my art work. I believe creating art is more than just the outcome of such creation but some emphasizes should be given as to how the artist is getting there.

The word “batik” is roughly translated as “wax painting”. As an art painter takes his brush of colors to create, a batik artist draws with the wax as to protect area from a certain color during the dye dip process. Batik is done on either silk or cotton, although the Java style of batik is mostly on cotton. Cotton, with its smooth and tight texture translates into higher resolution than the much looser and lighter silk fabric. Due to the process and method of batik, an authentic batik can be viewed on either side of the fabric, thus many batik arts are mounted between glass and matted as to show both sides, thus Two Arts in One.

The batik artist, after the original pencil drawing onto the fabric, be it cotton or silk, uses a “canting’ tool to trace in details what the pencil drawing shows. The “canting” tool (imagine a small handheld funnel) is filled with a certain mixture of wax (Bee/Paraffin) and kept at a certain temperature as to keep it in liquid form, but still pasty. This wax will be applied to the fabric and its proper temperature will allow it to penetrate the fabric. The wax, upon drying will seal the fabric beneath it, just like a cocoon. The artist having covered all area of the Batik with wax BUT with EXCEPTION for area to which a chosen color will be allowed, will actually dip the fabric with the applied wax and all, into the color dye chosen for the area not covered with the protective wax. In most cases the artist would start with the lighter colors. After this several minute of Dye bath, the fabric is pulled and hung to drip and dry. Once the just applied color is totally dry, the artist will boil the fabric as to remove the wax entirely from the fabric. By the way, the removed wax is subsequently scooped up from the water, as it floats, and recycled into further use. The second step is to repeat the first step and so forth and for each layer of color designated for the Batik in creation. During the washing cycle of the dyed fabric a secret solution of salt and other chemical in a cold bath is applied as well during each process. This method of secrecy brings out the vibrancy of the colors.

In review and analyzing of the above description of the process to create such art work, one can quickly understand the complexity, pain striking details as well as the rather hot and uncomfortable environment the artist exposes him/herself to. The clean up process has its own challenges as well, of course.

An authentic batik is always and only an original, as the working with liquid wax on fabric will NEVER leave the exact duplicate like a print would, even if the design of the art is repeated on a second batik. The logic there should be obvious.

Although the above description of the method and process to create Batik Art, it was kept very simple, as the actual complexity is heighten by the artist knowledge of mixing dyes to achieve certain special colors, as well as crackling effect in certain batik pieces and how it is achieved by the artist. A more in-depth presentation can only be given when Batik sample is shown in association thereto.

Ferdinand Ackermann
Switzerland/USA/Sri Lanka

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ferdinand_Ackermann

Batik is an Indonesian-Malay word that refers to traditional wax-resist dye method used on cloth. Batik is a traditional fashionable apparel worn across the world. With a huge variety of Batik designs and patterns, it is often loved and worn by people all over the globe especially in Malaysia. Batik depicts the ancient Javanese art and tradition and has become the most desirable pattern in the urban market too. You will find a great range in the men and the women clothing. Batik apparels are evergreen and suit all the genres at any occasion.

The quality of Batik differs in the quality of cloth used. Batik silk are the highly used in parties or formal functions that can be accessorized with Batik sandals, Batik silk handbags or purses, Batik silk scarves etc. Batik designs on cotton have set a new drive among the general public. There is a huge range of designs and colors available in cotton fabric have become highly popular. Cotton Batik is generally used for casual or daily wear in almost all the parts of the world. You are not only amazed to see a huge collection of Batik prints and designs in variable colors but you can also see a number of accessories that complement the apparel. Cotton or silk scarves, sarongs, kurtis, ladies tops, Batik handbags, Batik Kebaya, Batik pants, sleep dresses etc. are widely used by a lot of customers.

The modern and the fashionable industry has readily accepted the traditional designs and patterns of Batik and has manufactured a variety of sarongs, scarves, jackets, dresses and accessories to satisfy the new generation. Batik dresses are worn for many occasions like:

1. Informal dresses are worn as daily wear casual dresses and are available in a wide variety.

2. Formal Occasions like parties, banquets, receptions, formal gatherings etc. where the guests are requested to wear Batik. Full sleeves Batik shirt for men and ‘kain batik’, a long batik to wrap the whole body is a formal dress worn by women.

3. Traditional occasions like wedding ceremonies, or special ceremonies in royal families where the bride and the bridegroom wear similar Batik motif called Sidomukti, meaning happiness and prosperity throughout their lives. Same Batik motif represents togetherness. Batik with Truntum is worn by parents of the bride and the bridegroom and represents their guidance to the new couple who enter the new life together.

4. Traditional dresses are worn by women in Yogya and Solo court families and consists Jarit or Tapih or Singanj is a long Batik covering the whole body with a stagen, a low waist band, Kebaya is a full sleeves shirt made of silk, Selendang is a beautiful piece of cloth that truly complements the traditional batik attire, lastly the Kemben or Semekan worn for special ceremonies in palaces or ceremonies in royal families where Kemben is worn instead of Kebaya.

5. The Traditional dress of men include Jarit or Bebed is men kain panjang fastened with stagen, Surjan which is a long sleeved shirt without the batik fabric, Beskap is worn instead of Surjan and the fabric is not Batik, Blangkon is a headgear made from Batik and lastly Keris is a dagger that is worn on the backside of the waist, acts as a compliment to the traditional dress. Dodot is a traditional dress worn by the king himself that covers the lower body.

With such a huge collection of traditional Batik dresses which depict the tradition of the past is indeed a pleasure to experience.