Indonesia’s Batik Cloths Adorn Cultural Center
By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
The Korea Foundation Cultural Center in Seoul is hanging rectangle cloths of various patterns on the ceiling of its exhibition hall. They are products made by Indonesia's wax-resistant dyeing technique, called Batik.
Designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Intangible Heritage last year, Batik is Indonesia's pride.
"I am proud to present Indonesia's world-renown heritage to Koreans. I hope this exhibition will contribute to ever-growing relations between Korea and Indonesia," said Indonesian Ambassador to Korea, Nicolas Dammen during the opening ceremony, last Thursday.
No records show exactly how long the technique has been used, yet experts declare that Batik predates written records.
The exhibition was jointly organized by the foundation, a Korean government affiliate promoting cultural exchanges, and Preserve Indonesia, an Indonesian private organization that aims to spread Indonesian culture.
The first solo exhibition of its kind in Korea came directly from Jakarta, the capital of the Southeast Asian country and the hub of Batik preservation.
Josephine Komara, known as Obin, a pioneer of Batik preservation, owns the entire collection and flew to Seoul to curate the exhibition.
Obin has been a Batik weaver since 1957 when she was only 17 years old.
Like many things in life that happen by coincidence, she said that it became her profession without dramatic ups and downs.
Yet, she has dedicated her life to it, elevating weaving to the level of art and culture.
She said she has tried to travel to as many corners of the country to see the variety of patterns and techniques of Batik.
She opened "Bin House," a place for training some 2,000 people with weaving and dying skills that are solely done by hand.
In Indonesia, Batik isn't an old name people can hear only in museums or an old record.
Batik clothes are still being exhibited, and people buy and wear them, which is probably why it has earned the nickname "wearable art." Obin also has a boutique in Jakarta where she sells Batik products.
She doesn't see preserving Batik as a tall order.
Unlike some intangible heritages that are on the verge of extinction because of a lack of interest, Batik cloth has a market established for commerce in Indonesia and neighboring countries.
Artist Obin is giving lectures on Batik and the making process at Ewha Womans University and the cultural center.
Every Wednesday during the exhibition, the center will provide guests with a guided tour.
The scale of the exhibition reflects Korea-Indonesia bilateral relations.
Indonesia is home to 400,000 Korean nationals, and 350,000 Indonesian citizens are also living in Korea. Koreans make up the biggest group of foreign investors in the resource rich country.
The exhibition runs alongside two auxiliary cultural events.
Starting last Friday, until April 9, Indonesian chef William Wongso will present a collection of Indonesia's most popular dishes at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul.
Also, four Indonesian films will be screened at the center.
The exhibit ends on April 21. For more information about the exhibition and the film screenings, visit www.kfcenter.or.kr