Batik of Java - A Visual Journey

Batik tells a story like no other textile can about the history of an island people and their beliefs. From early influences of Hinduism and Islamic trade to a demand for brightly colored floral cloths highly prized in Europe, batik has made its way from the Sultan's Palace in Yogyakarta to the village community, where highly skilled artisans produce batik for a range of buyers and tastes to this day.

The film "BATIK OF JAVA: A VISUAL JOURNEY" offers a wonderful overview into the national treasure of Indonesia. A wonderful opportunity to learn batik visually, and an excellent basis for moving on to appreciate some of the many books on batik, surface design, and Indonesian Art & Culture.

For centuries, Javanese Batik has been made the same way - by drawing or stamping wax on cloth and then dyeing the cloth, once or by repeatedly holding and releasing areas of color with wax and layers of dyes, until it is finally boiled out - thus revealing the skill and effort of the makers of the cloth.

Batik makers often use imported synthetic dye (Fiber Reactive), however, in Java, more and more artisans are returning to traditional methods, by producing batik with natural dyes from plants that grow abundantly in the wet tropical soil.

Batik Process: Step by Step

The DVD begins with an overview of the batik making process, step by step.  We visit a family in Ambarawa, north Java, who produce indigo pigment to supply to numerous workshops across Java.  From there we visit a collective of artisans in Central Java who take us through their entire process with rich narrative and stunning visuals along the way. We learn about their interesting past and their ideas for the future.

The Artisan and their Craft

Once we have explored the process of batik, we move on to look at the work of four talented artisans and groups making a living with batik.  We look at historical patterns being masterfully recreated, as well as contemporary styles influenced by a love of Asian Art.  There is an emphasis on understanding the meaning behind the batik, and we look at Tritik (a form of Indonesian tie-dye) and dotted/dashed batik, known as Nitik, as well.

Join us on this journey into the heart of batik making as we bring the process and the story of batik to life.

Runtime: 90 Minutes

English Language / English Subtitles