A Shapebased Art Form That Consists of Decorating Cloth With Patterns of Thread or Yarn

Domicile » Applied Data » Indonesian Customs and Culture

Indonesian Arts and Crafts

1 of the many pleasures of living in Indonesia is having the opportunity to learn about and collect Indonesian arts and handicrafts. The multifariousness evident in Indonesia's 300 plus ethnic groups is reflected in the diversity of its fine art forms. Simply as every ethnic group throughout the archipelago has its ain language/dialect, cuisine, traditional dress and traditional homes and they have also developed their own textiles, ornaments, carvings and items for daily use and special celebrations. The rich cultural heritage of fine art and handicrafts is one of Indonesia's true national riches.

Indonesian fine art forms can include designs traced back to early animistic beliefs, ancestor worship, Hindu or Buddhist influenced motifs brought by Indian traders, Chinese or Islamic symbols and beliefs. Strange influence on Indonesian fine art forms was brought about by centuries of exposure to other cultures through trade. Immigrants from China, Bharat, the Arab world and later Europe traveled to the archipelago in search of the unique spices grown in Indonesia. These traders settled and brought with them rich artistic traditions which influenced the development of local art.

Today we can run across highly developed art forms wherever these artisans had patrons in centuries past. 1 of the places where this is maybe most evident is in Yogyakarta where the Sultan's family unit has supported batik, silver, wayang and other artisans for generations. With this patronage the fine art forms flourished, resulting in a rich variety of fine art forms today.

The rich creative traditions of Bali, where traditionally each person must develop skills in a item art form - be information technology trip the light fantastic, music, or visual arts has lead to the creation of a vibrant artistic community. Strange artists have been drawn to Bali for centuries due to this unique cultural synergy.

Handicrafts also adult from the usage of every day household items which were busy and used for ceremonial purposes. Witness the broad variety of uses of natural woods, fibers, bamboo, rattan and grasses. Natural and chemical dyes, beads and other natural ornamentation are used to decorate these items, many of which have developed over fourth dimension into distinctive art forms.

Many expats take advantage of the opportunity of living in Republic of indonesia to learn more about its culture, or to begin a drove of art objects or handicrafts that they savor. We go through early days of explorations, through the thrills of discovery and learning, to hunting downward item items you want and acquiring true finds.

Often expats are able to acquire things in Indonesia that they wouldn't take been able to afford at home where import duties and retail mark-ups brand the prices skyrocket. In addition, the purchase of various handicrafts is often associated with special memories ... wonderful memories of vacations, the tukang and the fun of searching for the correct piece.

With the rupiah substitution rate so favorable confronting nearly foreign currencies - great bargains are to exist found in Indonesia! Visit either Sarinah Jaya or Pasaraya in Jakarta for a good introduction to Indonesian handicrafts, though don't expect to detect truthful antiques there. So you lot'll know better what you may want to purchase on your travels through the archipelago.

If you develop a love for a particular particular, seek out others who share your new hobby/collecting and larn the history of the items together. Expats who fall in love with a particular art form may fifty-fifty plan their travel through the archipelago effectually their special interest, tracking downwardly and viewing the making of the items in their places of origin.

One of the virtually popular organizations in Jakarta for those who are interested in learning more about Indonesian culture is the Indonesian Heritage Lodge. Amateurs become experts through research using their extensive library and participation in study groups. Study groups are formed dependent on the interest of the members and in recent years have included: textiles, ceramics, wayang, batik and others.

Museums in Dki jakarta and in other major cities display priceless artifacts from Indonesia's vibrant history. Join a bout at the National Museum, visit the Textile or Keris museum and you will quickly notice the rich cultural heritage of Indonesian art. While at the Museum Nasional, pick upwardly a copy of the National Museum Guidebook, published by the Indonesian Heritage Society for an excellent introduction to the collection.

Provincial specialties

A few months later beginning your exploration of the diverse Indonesian fine art forms, certain provinces will soon take on graphic symbol all their own through the art forms you lot clan with them ... Javanese batik, Balinese carvings, Kalimantan baby bak, Malukan pearls, Bugis silk sarong, Lombok pottery, Dayak blow guns, Sumba ikat and more than. Your travels throughout Indonesia will be enriched past your exposure to the evolution of different art forms in each province.

Symbolism

Indonesian art forms are rich in symbolism. The mythical naga or dragon; the mamuli pendant - symbol of fertility from Sumba, the tree of life, the mythological beast Garuda (besides a national symbol institute on the Panca Silasymbol), all have special meanings in Indonesian traditions, myths and beliefs. Exploring the origins of these designs and what they mean is fascinating.

The state of war between good and evil, ancient stories of love and warfare, nature and the heavens - all have special meanings to Indonesians throughout the archipelago. Gods, demons and knights grow in Balinese carvings and in other areas where Hindu influence predominated at some point in history. Plants, animals (mythological and real) and geometric forms are also widely used and represent specific meanings in particular art forms.

Motifs drawn from nature - leaves, flowers, mountains, h2o, clouds, animals frequently represent religious or mystical symbols related to early forms of animism, then later to Hinduism. Islamic prohibitions against showing the human effigy or other living creatures stagnated the development of many art forms in areas where Islam was strong.

Certain motifs were favored and even restricted to the royal families, especially in batik designs for the Surakarta and Yogyakarta royal families (one of which is called the broken keris). These symbols depicted simple, natural objects that were important to the lives of Javanese, such equally the leaves of the aren palm or the fruit from the kapok tree. Traditional colors of navy blue, foam, chocolate-brown and black used in batik have given fashion to a myriad of colors utilizing mod imported dyes.

Handicrafts and art objects range from every twenty-four hour period items which are unique to Indonesia, to one-of-a-kind collector's items, with a very wide range in betwixt. What y'all volition buy and/or collect depends of course on what you like. To innovate you lot briefly to the wide range of items available we've covered some of the more popular below:

Textiles

The variety in Indonesian textile forms is astounding and is yet another representation of its rich cultural heritage. Indonesian textiles include hand drawn and stamped batik, the design of which takes months to create; double weave ikat from the islands of Nusa Tenggara, ship fabric from Lampung, silk Bugis sarong from Sulawesi, gilt-painted Balinese prada fabric; shimmering kain songket from Palembang utilizing silver and gold metallic threads weft in woven cotton or silk ikat; and Tapis weavings from Lampung.

Weavings from the 27 provinces utilise different materials, methods, colors and designs. Primarily formed on back looms, weeks or months are spent creating intricate designs for everyday utilise or ceremonial wear. These weavings are primarily known past the different techniques that are used to create the distinctive designs.

The symbolism of the various ethnic groups is evident in the variety of textiles. Color, shapes and their arrangements all accept special meanings. Certain designs can merely be worn by women or men, or only by the members of the royal family or nobility.

Special textiles are worn or exchanged in life cycle or rights of passage ceremonies celebrating nativity, circumcision, puberty, marriage, childbearing and death. Textiles play an important role in many traditional events and ceremonies.

Written records dating to the fourteenth century document the importance of textiles in the social and religious lives of Indonesians. The highly distinctive traditional dress, or pakaian adat, best shows the diversity of uses of textiles throughout the archipelago. The even more than elaborate bridal wearing apparel displays the best of each province's fabric and ornamental jewelry traditions.

Wayang -- Puppets

Puppets have been used for centuries in Indonesia to tell the stories of the ancient epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, also as ancient myths. Modernistic stories as well employ this ancient art class for contemporary audiences.

Puppets fall into two major classifications - wayang kulit - the leather or shadow puppet of Central Coffee, and wayang golek - wooden puppets of Westward Java. There are several varieties of wooden puppets. Some expats enjoy collecting the aforementioned character by various artisans, or all the characters in a scene or story, or only characters that strike their fancy. Good guys, bad guys, gods, demons, nobles, giants, clowns, princes and princesses and monkeys ... all can exist found in traditional puppet forms.

Less commonly seen are the Wayang Klitik, a flat wooden puppet. Links to sites with information on wayang

Traditional Toys and Games

The congklak, or dakon board game was brought to Indonesia by Indian or Arab traders centuries ago. Made from plastic or forest, or highly carved past court artisans, this game has been played in Indonesia for centuries. Examples of early congklak lath can exist found in the National Museum.

Traditional toys tin can be found throughout the archipelago and forays into the provinces will undoubtedly plow upwards many simple toys made past villagers for their children. These can be purchased at local pasar, roadside stands or near popular tourist destinations.

Ceramics

Ceramics made their style to Indonesia over centuries of merchandise with Red china dating back to 205 BC. Ceramic items range from everyday common vessels and plates, to fine ceramic pieces that became heirlooms passed down fromgeneration to generation.

Modernistic reproductions of these antiques abound ... and so take the time to learn the difference between a 18-carat antique and a modern reproduction. The Ceramic Museum in Jakarta, ceramic study groups at the Indonesian Heritage Society and a wealth of books on Ceramics will help innovate you lot to this fascinating ancient art form.

More affordable, and yet but as beautiful is jewelry made from antique ceramic shards discovered in port cities throughout the archipelago. While formerly these broken dishes served as ballast in ships from People's republic of china, modern artisans take turned these broken ceramic pieces into beautiful jewelry and other useful items.

Contemporary ceramic design can be institute in a broad range of useful household items. Lombok pottery in particular is popular with expats. The intricate terra-cotta pottery made in the village of Kasongan nigh Yogyakarta is likewise a favorite of many.

Natural fibers and materials

A wide range of items, both useful and decorative are made from natural fibers such every bit pandanus, rattan, bamboo and grasses. Rice spoons, bowls, containers, woven mats, baskets, lamp shades, boxes, natural paper products and a multitude of other items are made from natural fibers in Republic of indonesia.

Bamboo, while exotic in the w, is one of the most practical natural plants. The uses of bamboo in Republic of indonesia are numerous and Indonesians utilize bamboo extensively for a variety of items including baskets, winnows, cups, buckets, furniture and woven walls in traditional homes. The fine strands used for fans, purses, bags, hats, baskets and other items. Larger, thick strips are used for flower baskets, walls and other items. While bamboo was originally used for practical items around the house, these have been further developed into new items which sell well as souvenirs.

Bone, rubber, coconut shell, fibers, horn and other natural materials are used in many folk handicrafts from accident pipes, figurines, bags, storage items, painted umbrellas, and even ships made entirely from cloves.

Shells

Shells are used by Indonesian artisans to create a wide diverseness of useful items, wind chimes and jewelry. The waters surrounding the over 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago take given forth an abundance of aquatic splendor. Exotic shells tin be purchased for small sums of money. However, be cautious in your purchases equally many species are over-harvested and their extinction is only a matter of fourth dimension. In item, avoid purchasing the Nautilus and giant mollusk, protected species which are already endangered.

Jewelry

I of the richest art forms in Indonesia reflects the Indonesian woman's desire to decoration her traditional dress, which wouldn't be complete without diverse items of traditional jewelry. Ornament used with traditional dress is rich in symbolism and pattern. From modern designs in 22 karat gold, to intricate filigree silverish jewelry from Yogyakarta, using precious and semi-precious stones, or mod plastic, wood or ceramic ... there are many designs, materials and cost ranges to cull from. Many expats indulge their love of a detail type of jewelry ... buying opals or silver jewelry until they've built up quite impressive collections.

Antique jewelry (both accurate and reproductions) is a favorite of expats. Antique trade beads, or their reproductions, are very popular.

Mabe pearls are a favorite with expats in Jakarta. You can buy the loose pearls and have them set in your own gold or silver pattern at your favorite jewelers. Pearl farms harvest huge quantities of mabe and fresh water pearls in Lampung, Maluku and Sulawesi.

A trip to the jewel markets of Djakarta or Kalimantan is a fun run a risk and provides an introduction to the diversity of gemstones available in Indonesia. These include diamonds, South Bounding main pearls, opal, sapphire, amethyst and banded agates. Beware that many stones are really manufactured ... what is termed masakan in Indonesia. The karat content of gold can often misrepresented and gemstones could be false. Depend on a trusted jeweler or shop with knowledgeable friends.

Antique Furniture

Cute Dutch colonial and other antique furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries is popular with expats, including Balinese opium beds, rice storage units, old cupboards, Javanese carved wall panels, doors and unique tables. These pieces may need restoration or may have already be refinished or reconditioned by the shops.

Many shops cater to the expats honey of antiques and sell authentic antiques or reproductions. Widely available also are new designs of furniture, utilizing old wood. The advantage of one-time wood is that information technology is less likely to carve up when you bring it back to a dry climate, equally the forest has been seasoned for decades. Much 'antique' furniture available is actually new furniture that has been left in the sun and rain for months to . age. the furniture. Exist careful to buy from a trustworthy dealer if you want to be sure yous are getting authentic antiques.

Wood Carvings

Wooden carving traditions and skills can be found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, with the virtually famous being from Bali, Central Java, Madura, Sumatra and Papua. Different areas developed very different traditions and so that many items are immediately identifiable as beingness created past item ethnic groups. Well-nigh pop with expats are Javanese and Balinese wooden prototype carvings, Jepara lattice-similar three-dimensional reliefs and Irianese primitive carvings.

Even amongst wooden carvings from a item province, differences in design, style and discipline matter are easily evidenced after some study. Irianese tribes such every bit the Asmat, Dani, and Komoro take very distinctive styles of carvings of totem poles, weapons, figures and utensils.

Whimsical, brightly colored modernistic carvings are produced primarily in Bali. And the popularity of these pieces has influenced the wooden carving traditions of other regions as well.

Used in prehistoric times in burials, the employ of ancient spirit masks take given way to masks used in many traditional dances. These highly stylized masks, topeng, depict the diverse characters in the story told by the dance. Masks enable the performers to assume new identities and depict a variety of characters from demons to animals, princes or gods. Amongst the most famous masks used in dance are the Rangda and Barong masks from Bali. In this traditional dance, performed often for tourists, the interaction of Rangda, representing evil, and the Barong, representing good, restores the harmony between the practiced and evil in life.

While masks for sale in stores are primarily from Central Java and Bali, masks from other indigenous groups were used widely in the past to communicate with ancestors, for blessings for harvests, protection from evil spirits, to acquire new personalities or great powers.

Fragrant sandalwood from the Nusa Tenggara is available in carvings, medicine, incense, cosmetics, prayer beads and useful items such as pens and fans. Information technology is normally stored in a special glass cabinet in stores and a stroll past the chiffonier will quickly acquaint you lot with the exotic fragrance of this special forest.

Woods used in carving include ebony, teak, mahogany, ironwood, sandalwood and other lesser known indigenous woods. The price may ofttimes be related to the type of wood used, as harder woods are more difficult to cleave. Since many are concerned past the cutting of tropical hard woods forests, many wood items are fabricated from teak trees which are cultivated on plantations. Look for the labeling designated the item as utilizing plantation-grown teak.

Stone Carvings

Volcanic rock are carved to create statues depicting characters from ancient Indonesian myths and epics. These are predominantly found in Yogyakarta and Bali where stone carving traditions date back over 900 years and were highly adult during the structure of major temples in these areas.

Bangka Tin

Pewter items are made with tin from the island of Bangka. Favorites with expats are the angels in varying sizes, candlesticks, picture frames, and Christmas tree ornaments. Engravings of Bangka tin items are often presented by various expat groups to their members in recognition of diverse achievements.

Shops specializing in Bangka pewter items tin exist constitute in Djakarta on Jl. Paletahan. These shops offer significant discounts. Displays of Bangka tin can items can also be constitute in the major arts and handicrafts centers in Dki jakarta and in other popular tourist destinations.

Paintings

Painting every bit an art class was really developed in the 19th and 20th century and includes batik paintings, the highly stylized paintings of Bali which depict village and traditional life as well every bit mod oils and acrylics. Famous Indonesian painters such equally Raden Saleh, command high prices on the international market and at auctions in Singapore and Jakarta.

Musical Instruments

Along with the other arts forms that developed in bully multifariousness across the archipelago, cultural diversity besides lead to the evolution of different musical traditions, thus dissimilar instruments. Angklung from W Java, Gamelan from Yogyakarta or Bali, flutes and gongs from West Java are favorite collectibles of expats. Gamelan links and Expat Community group in Jakarta where y'all can acquire Gamelan

Calligraphy

While non-Islamic art forms abound due to the rich Buddhist/Hindu traditions dating back for centuries, Islamic calligraphy has adult in various art forms equally well. These include embroidery, forest carvings, ceramics, paintings, and the cute gold embroidered Tapis fabric of Lampung.

Weapons

The aboriginal Keris is a favorite of expats, every bit well equally bone blow pipes from Borneo, swords and daggers. Bowsand arrows and spears from Papua are likewise pop.

Batik copper stamps

Used in the cap product of batik, these copper stamps are collected by expats. Special designs can be fabricated at the Cap Man in Djakarta where cap are worked into drawers and furniture equally well as lazy susans, coasters or trivets.

Whatever your tastes and pleasures, you will before long enjoy the exploration of the various Indonesian art forms and enjoy collecting a few for yourself.

Mini glossary
kerajinan: handicrafts
kesenian: art
kenang-kenangan: something to remember your travels by
cinderamata: souvenir
oleh-oleh: something you bring dorsum from your travels as a gift for family or friends.

Other manufactures on Arts and Handicrafts

• It'due south a Ming Thing
• Batik
• The Cap Man - Cap in Hand!
• Holding that thread of thought: an introduction to Indonesian textiles and their traditional uses
• Pearls of Wisdom - shopping for pearl jewelry

williamstudder.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.expat.or.id/info/artshandicrafts-indonesia.html