Batik, the resist-dyeing technique
of patterning cloth through the application of wax, is a centuries-old textile art form known in several parts of the world,
but it reached its highest level of complexity on the island of Java. While deeply embedded in local traditions and linked
to the worldview, philosophy, and social order of Java, over the past two centuries batik has become a powerful cultural medium.
In 2009, UNESCO declared Indonesian batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
In cooperation
with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Weltmuseum Wien, Indonesian academics, artists, fashion designers and social
entrepreneurs, we will reflect on the creative processes and various aspects of Javanese batik, which also inspire artists
beyond the batik tradition and open up new perspectives.
Opening remarks:
Akio Alfiano Tamala, Chargés D'Affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Vienna and Karin Altmann, Institute of Art
Sciences and Art Education, University of Applied Arts Vienna.
Speakers: Jani Kuhnt-Saptodewo
“Batik in Javanese Tradition” (in German) and Nia Fliam “The Sensibility of Batik” (in English).
Jani Kuhnt-Saptodewo,
born in Jakarta/Indonesia, studied ethnology at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and completed her habilitation “Getanzte
Geschichte. Tanz, Religion und Geschichte auf Java” at the Humboldt-University in Berlin. She has written numerous books based
on her research findings and continuous interest on themes of interculturality and performing arts. Between 2005 and 2018,
Kuhnt-Saptodewo has been Curator and Head of the Insular Southeast Asian Collection at the Weltmuseum Wien. In addition to
her work as a researcher and author, she worked on films and curatorial projects, resulting in successful exhibitions such
as „Balinese Art in Transition“ (2010) and „World in Motion“ (2017). In her talk, Kuhnt-Saptodewo will offer an overview of
the tradition of Javanese batik.
Nia Fliam is an US-American artist whose love affair with batik
brought her to Indonesia 38 years ago. Together with her husband, batik artist Agus Ismoyo, she established the batik studio
Brahma Tirta Sari (“creativity is the source of all knowledge”) in Yogyakarta in 1985. Since then, they have explored the
traditional collaborative creative process of Javanese batik and have extended this collaborative exploration to work with
artists from various indigenous communities around the world. Their artwork is made in the context of Javanese traditional
batik but it is realized in a form of expression of growth in rootedness. In her talk, Nia Fliam will share her experiences
of study, artistic research, and application of the ancient creative process taught through the intangible aspect of Indonesian
batik. She will also share her hopes for the future development of educational formats for this important knowledge system
so it might be accessible to artists and students from varied cultural backgrounds.
Performance:
Pencak Silat Anak Harimau
Organisation: Karin Altmann, Institute of Art Sciences and Art Education,
Textile Department, University of Applied Arts Vienna in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Vienna.
For both university members and external persons, the current Covid-19 regulations of the University of Applied
Arts Vienna apply: Admission only on the basis of the 2.5G ruling (vaccinated, recovered, PCR-tested) with mandatory
registration on site. FFP2 mask must be worn in the building.
Public ZOOM TALKS:23.
November 2021, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
“Keeping the Tradition” with Threads of Life Co-Founder William Ingram and Batik Artist
Agus Ismoyo.
14. December 2021, 10:00 – 12:00 CET
“Fashionable Batik” with Fashion Designers Novita Yunus
and Nita Kenzo.
To join the zoom talks, please visit:
https://dieangewandte-at.zoom.us/j/65891860605If you have any further questions, please contact:
karin.altmann@uni-ak.ac.at
