Batik Banten Exhibition in UPH

Batik Banten was introduced in UPH in the event series of Library Annual Event (LIBANEV), an annual event by The Johannes Oentoro Library, UPH started from Monday until Friday, April 11-15, 2011. Besides the exhibition, the event also featured a seminar and workshop of how to make a Batik.

The seminar held on Monday, April 11, 2011 featured speakers from UPH Faculty of Design and Planning Prof. Drs. Yongky Safanayong and the Chief Director of PT Batik Banten Ir. Uke Kurniawan who was also the pioneer and developer of Batik Banten.

To the 120 participants, Prof. Yongky reviewed the worldwide batik design while Ir. Uke explained the history and growth of Batik Banten. ?Not all of fabric with batik pattern is batik. The original batik must be made with wax, not screen printing,? said Uke.

Batik Banten has its uniqueness that is different from other batik. The differences are in its color, pattern, and philosophy. ?Nowadays, batik without a philosophy cannot be called as batik,? explained Uke. Batik Banten?s color that tends to be soft gray is also strongly related to the character of Banten water that contains zinc.

Batik Banten has 75 unique basic patterns and is now known abroad. The workshop of how to make Batik Banten is very enthused by foreigners. Uke also said that Batik Banten had been proudly selected to be the ornament for a refrigerator product from international brand.

The exhibition and seminar was open to public for free. For the workshop, the participants were charged Rp 10.000 ? Rp 30.000 for the material used. ?Some of elementary, junior high, and high school students in Tangerang and near UPH were registered to join this workshop,? said Dama, the head of LIBANEV committee. The visitors could also buy the displayed batik. The Batik Banten exhibiton and workshop were held as an appreciation and support from UPH to introduce and conserve Batik Banten.

Besides Batik Banten exhibition, workshop, and seminar, LIBANEV also featured an exhibition and talk show about comics. The talkshow held on Friday, April 15, 2011 featured comic artists from the newly-launched comic book “101 Surviving Super Singles,” Ariela Kristantina, Shirley, and Gita. (dee)

UPH Media Relations