In this beautifully illustrated book, three experts examine the history, production and uses of textiles in Balinese society. Many fine pieces are presented, their raw materials and methods of weaving and dyeing are described, and the complex symbolism and ritual functions of each are explained in detail.
Batik occupies a special place in Indonesian culture. Each fabric has a rich story to tell--as a reflection of the nation's religious beliefs, sophisticated court cultures and cosmopolitan history. The extraordinary textiles in this book are from the collections of Rudolf Smend and Donald Harper. Most date from the period 1880 to 1930 when the art of batik reached its apogee. Having collected historical batik for over thirty years and published two books on the subject, Rudolf Smend has invited his friend and fellow batik specialist Donald Harper to contribute his fine collection to this publication as well. None of the batik in this book have been published before. They represent an exquisite cross-section of the batik production of Java--the most important batik-producing region in the world. The cloths are complemented by vintage photographs from the first quarter of the 20th century demonstrating how the batik were worn at court and at home. Three are from museums in Dresden and Cologne, while three are from the private collection of Leo Haks. The others have been collected over the past 30 years from private sources in Java. The captions are by Maria Wronska-Friend, an ethnologist and batik expert who frequently visits Indonesian batik centers and has worked for many years as an anthropologist in Papua New Guinea. Her contributions provide fundamental knowledge for lovers of this art form while at the same time providing new insights for experts. Rudolf Smend has invited other batik aficionados of his generation to share their passion for batik in this book. Inger McCabe Elliott, author of the bestselling Batik: Fabled Cloth of Java has contributed her lifelong experience. Other authorities like Annegret Haake, Brigitte Khan Majlis and Jonathan Hope share their views and expertise in these pages. This book represents a labor of love and a lifetime of friendship for the two authors, who hope it will provide inspiration to a whole new generation of batik lovers.
For thousands of years, Balinese textile artists have adorned simple cloths with elaborate embroidered depictions of classic folk epics. As one of the many artistic expressions of Balinese culture, these colorful pieces offer insight into the tradition of storytelling in Bali while reminding us that ancient universal themes of morality, man versus nature, and the triumph over adversity can be just as significant today. In STORY CLOTHS OF BALI, Indonesian art expert Joseph Fischer shares his collection of more than 100 of these exquisite pieces alongside engaging text about how to utilize these textiles to study and appreciate traditional Balinese culture. The first major study of an unusual group of Balinese embroideries, STORY CLOTHS OF BALI is a fascinating glimpse into a culture rich with creativity, diversity, and tradition. Story cloths are used as ritual decorations and offerings in Balinese and Hindu temples, household ancestor shrines, and village ceremonial buildings. Discusses the various stitching techniques employed for each piece, how to determine the skill level of specific stitches, and the cultural significance of each textile. Includes a glossary of important Balinese characters and terms.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of the Indonesian textile industry, including its abrupt transformation since 1967 (Chapter 2), the rapid growth of exports beginning in the early 1980s (Chapter 3), some international comparisons (Chapter 4) and explanation of the export success (Chapter 5), and an identification of key policy and strategy issues for the industry in the 1990s (Chapter 6).
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Bali & Lombok is your indispensable guide to this beautiful part of the world. This fully updated guide includes street maps of cities and towns, plus unique illustrated cutaways, floor plans and reconstructions of the must-see sights. Vibrant full-color photography will help you visualize your destinations as you discover Bali and Lombok one region at a time. Detailed listings will inform you of the best hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops for all budgets. Explore local festivals and markets, day trips and excursions, gorgeous beaches, and find your way effortlessly around the region. DK's insider tips and cultural insights will help you explore every corner of Bali and Lombok, as if you were a local. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Bali & Lombok-showing you what others only tell you. Now available in PDF format.
Textiles play a decisive role in history: attire not only indicates status, gender, ethnicity, and religion but illustrates how such boundaries are continuously being negotiated, shifted, and recreated. Fashionable Traditions captures the complex reality of Asian handmade textile production and consumption. From traditionalist discourse and cultural authenticity to fashion and market trends, the contributors to this collection demonstrate the multilayered influence of often contradictory forces. In-depth, ethnographic case studies reveal the entangled relationships between local artisans, external interventions, and consumers, while acknowledging the broader frameworks in which such relationships are situated. Together these stories offer a vivid account of the socio-economic, political, and cultural dynamics in various parts of Asia and emphasize that fashion is neither a Western prerogative nor do its roots reside solely in the West.
This book includes fundamentals of textile processing technology with explanation of craft techniques, various stages of processing fibres and yarns with useful, readily understandable, line drawings. Fibrous types, dyes, yarns and cloths have been explained and material is supported by glossary and explanation of processing stages from fibre to finished cloth. Further, the considerations of relevance to the development and preparation of a design collection are outlined and discussed. Various testing procedures, including fibre, yarn and cloth identification methods, and important innovations in textile products and processing are identified and explained as well. Focused mainly on the needs of students specializing in textile or fashion design, at first year undergraduate university level, this book: Covers all stages from fibre to finished cloth. Discusses various stages of processing fibres and yarns. Explains fibrous types, dyes, yarns and cloths supported by relevant glossary. Presents explanations of both tactile and aesthetic aspects of textiles used in clothing.
Through the centuries, women have used textiles to express their ideas and political opinions, creating items of utility that also function as works of art. Beginning with medieval European embroideries and tapestries such as the Bayeux Tapestry, this book examines the ways in which women around the world have recorded the impact of war on their lives using traditional fabric art forms of knitting, sewing, quilting, embroidery, weaving, basketry and rug making. Works from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, the Middle and Near East, and Oceania are analyzed in terms of content and utility, and cultural and economic implications for the women who created them are discussed. Traditional women's work served to document the upheaval in their lives and supplemented their family income. By creating textiles that responded to the chaos of war, women developed new textile traditions, modified old traditions and created a vehicle to express their feelings.
Indonesia is a fascinating archipelago of over 17,000 islands in Southeast Asia. With a population of over 270 million, it’s the fourth most populous country in the world, and is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. Indonesia is also one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with a rapidly developing tourism industry, and is a member of the G20. But despite its cultural and economic diversity, Indonesia is also a country of contrasts. While some parts of the country are modern and developed, others are still very much rural and traditional. Additionally, Indonesia faces a range of social, environmental, and political challenges, including poverty, corruption, deforestation, and natural disasters. So while Indonesia may seem like a dream destination for travelers, its complexities and contradictions make it a particularly interesting place to explore. As a tourist, there are many amazing things to discover in Indonesia, including the world-class beaches and surf breaks, crystal clear waters and coral reefs, stunning volcanoes and mountains, rich cultural heritage and ancient temples, bustling cities and vibrant nightlife, and delicious food and local markets. However, it’s also important to be aware of the challenges that the country faces, including the fact that Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, and has a complex political situation that is still evolving. With this in mind, it’s important for visitors to Indonesia to be respectful and responsible, and to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enriching trip.