The Existence of Batik in the Digital Era
Irfa’ina Rohana Salma and Edi Eskak
Center for Handicraft and Batik, Ministry of Industry, Jl. Kusumanegara No. 7, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Keywords: existence, batik, digital era
Abstract: Batik is a real example of Indonesian artwork whose existence is still superior in today's world of art talks.
The existence of batik has even been recognized by UNESCO on 2009 as one of the world's cultural intangible
heritages. Batik is understood as a whole process of creation, the work produced, and the philosophy. The
b
atik consensus, in the manufacturing process, was challenged by manual and machine printing, and now in
digital printing. The purpose of this paper is to examine the existence of original batik processed with
traditional technology that can still be sustainable and develop in this digital era. The method used is
descriptive qualitative to show the existence of batik in the digital era. The result is traditional batik in this
digital era is still exists. Counterfeiting batik products can be anticipated by labeling Batikmark "INDONESIA
b
atik". Digital technology can be used to support the research and other aspects related to batik. The role o
f
art, government, university, private sector, artists, and individual batik lovers also play an important
assignment in the preservation and development of traditional batik until this millennium.
1 INTRODUCTION
Indonesia has a rich diversity of arts, including batik
whose existence has been recognized worldwide. The
world recognition of batik by UNESCO on October
2, 2009, has aroused love for batik in wider society.
The love of batik as a culture belonging to Indonesia
has been able to revive a sense of nationalism. Batik
is no longer just a handicraft in a cloth decorated
beautifully as a clothing, but it has become an icon of
nationalism itself (Eskak & Salma, 2018).
Appreciating this, the government set a date of
October 2
nd
as a National Batik Day. The
determination of the National Batik Day is actually a
sign of the importance of strengthening and
developing batik as a proud national identity in
international forums
Batik in all techniques, technologies and
designs related to its motifs and cultures behind it, has
been recognized by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the
Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Traditional batik is created through a series of
physical and inner processes into a beautiful piece of
cloth full of philosophical meaning, so that batik
reflects the characteristics of the nation. Pride with
love using batik by the large community, helped
trigger the rise and development of batik industry
which had previously experienced a setback (Salma
& Eskak, 2016). This supports the existence of batik
while maintaining its sustainability. Existence comes
from the word existere, Latin which means to appear,
exist, arise, or have an actual existence. Existere
comes from the ex word which means out and sistere
which means to show or appear (Bagus, 1996). To
conserve and develop the traditional art is the youth
obligation so that the existance of batik will remain
awake (Eskak, 2013). The existence of batik remains
sustainable, always appears in the repertoire of art,
and actually still exists in society as an artwork and
industrial prosperity in today's digital era.
The digital era is a change time born with the
emergence of digital, internet networks, especially
computer information technology. The new media of
digital era has characteristics that can be manipulated
and online. The mass media is turning to the new
media or the internet because there is a cultural shift
in the delivery of information. This digital era's media
capabilities make it easier for people to receive
information faster (Setiawan, 2017). The use of
advanced digital technology is a necessity in
maintaining the existence of traditional arts, including
in batik. In this digital era, the art and culture space of
40
Salma, I. and Eskak, E.
The Existence of Batik in the Digital Era.
DOI: 10.5220/0008526000400049
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative Technology (CREATIVEARTS 2019), pages 40-49
ISBN: 978-989-758-430-5
Copyright
c
2020 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
the community changes as the development of
information technology and media (Kusrini, 2015).
Today's digital era with the development of
technology has greatly eroded old traditions in
society. Batik is one of the traditional arts affected by
the advancement of this technology. Original batik
has a big challenge from manual and masinal printing
technology, and by digital printing technology now.
Batik is falsified and marketed massively. Artificial
batik products flood the market when consumers have
not had the chance to understand between original
batik and its artificial. Many consumers are harmed
by counterfeiting this batik, due to a lack of
understanding of original batik, while the artificial
one has produced to try to imitate batik as closely as
possible with its original. This condition can turn off
the traditional batik industry. Creativity is good, but
if you aim to imitate for forgery it is certainly an act
of fraud (Eskak, 2014). Smart consumers will choose
original batik as a high appreciation for batik. Digital
information technology can also be used to support
the existence of original batik by spreading out
education about the differentiation of original or
artificial batik, so that consumers are not harmed.
Digital technology also allows to be used to support
the existence of batik through research and
development of both design, raw materials, marketing
methods, and so on according to times. The purpose
of this paper is to examine the existence of original
batik processed with traditional technology that can
still be sustainable and develop in this digital era.
2 METHODS
The method used is descriptive qualitative to explore,
analyze, and present data to show the existence of
batik in the digital era. Koentjaraningrat (1986)
explain that what is meant by descriptive is a picture
as accurately as possible about an individual,
condition, symptom or certain group. According to
Nazir (2013) descriptive method is a study to find
facts with the right interpretation. Data is obtained
from various sources, both from the study of
literature, documentation, etc., which are relevant and
support the research object. Data acquisition is then
analyzed qualitatively with interpretative that is
through several processes such as: data verification,
data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion.
3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results are knowing that the existence of batik in
this digital era is still sustainable and developing.
Original batik is still defined as an ornamental
artwork on cloth which is made using hot wax as a
color resist dyed with handwritten canting or stamp
canting of applying hot batik wax on mori. This is
reinforced by SNI 0239: 2014 of batik. Counterfeiting
batik products can be anticipated by labeling
Batikmark "INDONESIA batik". The digital era
technology in batik is used as a support in research
and development, and other aspects related to batik in
this digital era.
3.1 The Existence of Batik in Indonesia
Batik developed inside the palace walls at first, to
fulfill the clothing of the royal family and nobles. It
then developed out and became a people's industry to
produce clothing for the general public. Other than
Javanese’s, traditional batik also developed into
various regions including Sumatra batik, Kalimantan
Batik, Balinese batik, Nusa Tenggara batik, Sulawesi
batik, Maluku batik, and Papuan batik. The traditional
batik industry in clothing as well as a media of
cultural expression with local peculiarities of each
region at once.
Java is a place to grow and develop batik
which then spread throughout the archipelago, even
the world (Sukaya, Eskak, & Salma, 2018). Batik in
Java was originally an art within the palace walls
which aimed to make clothing material beautifully
decorated fabrics for the king and his family and
nobles. The decorations produced on batik cloth are
not just beautiful but have sacred symbolic meanings.
The history of batik in Java is closely related to the
development of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom
between the 9th and 10th centuries, continuing to the
12th century Kediri Kingdom, the 13th century
Majapahit Kingdom and beyond until now to the
Republic of Indonesia. Some experts suspect that
batik developed in Indonesia today originated from
Persia, China, India or Malay (Supriono, 2016). But
the skill of batik is actually found, developed, and
finally becomes a tradition from and by the
Indonesian people, both technologically and
philosophically. Batik motifs on Java are very diverse
with a long history of organic creativity, even the life
cycle of Javanese humans has had philosophical
guidance in a series of uses of batik motifs from birth-
married-married-adults-to death (Eskak & Salma,
2018). Javanese batik is growing rapidly in
The Existence of Batik in the Digital Era
41
Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Pekalongan, Cirebon, Lasem,
Tuban, Madura, and so on. Now the batik industry
can be found in almost all regions /cities throughout
Java. Javanese batik motifs include: Sekar Jagad,
Nitik Karawitan, Selampat Plate, Parang Buket
Tasikmalaya, Paksi Naga, Boketan Jakarta, Sido
Mulyo, Surya Citra Majapahit (Figure 1), Ceplok
Kakao, etc. (Eskak & Salma, 2018). Some examples
of the existence of Javanese batik in journal studies
include: The Aesthetic Study of Sleman Batik Typical
Design: Semarak Salak (Salma & Eskak, 2012),
Aesthetic Study of Typical Batik Design in
Mojokerto: Surya Citra Majapahit (Salma, 2012b),
Ethnic Style and Dynamics of Batik Pekalongan
(Salma, 2013), Amri Yahya's Creative Batik in Levi-
Strauss's Structuralism Perspective (Salma, 2014a),
Coffee and Cocoa in Creative Jember Batik Motifs
(Salma, Wibowo, & Satria, 2015).
Figure 1: Motif Surya Citra Majapahit
(Salma, 2012a)
Although it is not as well-known as batik in
Java, this millennium batik in Sumatra shows a
growing trend. Its existence is also supported by the
existence of social media as a means of meeting,
sharing information and knowledge about the
development of batik technology, and as a means of
marketing. Sumatra Batik has actually developed
since the era of the kingdom, in Aceh around the 13th
century and in Minang the16th century (Supriono,
2016). Today batik in Sumatra develops in several
areas, among others: Aceh, Minang, Riau, Jambi,
Bengkulu, Palembang, and Lampung. Its existence
began to spread to regions such as batik Gayo ,
Darmasraya, Baturaja, Pringsewu, Bangka, Tanjung
Enim, and others. Sumatran batik motifs are very
diverse to each other, depicts local culture and nature.
For example, the existence of Aceh Gayo batik
developed a motif designed based on local carving
motifs which produced several motifs, namely: Gayo
Ceplok, Gayo Tegak, Gayo Lurus, Parang Gayo,
Gayo Lembut, and Geometris Gayo (Salma & Eskak,
2016). Baturaja Batik, South Sumatra also developed
regional motifs including motifs: Bungo Nan Indah,
Embun Nan Sejuk, Air Nan Segar, Kotak Nan
Rancak, and Ceplok Nan Elok (Salma, 2014b).
Kalimantan also has batik produced from the
hot wax technique resist. However, calling
Kalimantan batik is often confused with tritik
jumputan or sasirangan, even though technically and
the motifs are different (Eskak & Salma, 2018).
Kalimantan batik motifs, among others: Bayam Raja,
Naga Balimbur, Jajumputan, Turun Dayang, Daun
Jaruju, Kambang Tanjung, Batang Garing, Burung
Enggau, Mandau, Gumin Tambun, Kambang
Munduk, Dayak Latar Gringsing, and etc. In general,
Kalimantan batik motifs develop from typical Dayak
wood carving motifs, but there are also motifs those
are inspired by the flora and fauna of the local area,
as well as the cultural influences of immigrants.
Ketapang Batik in West Kalimantan for example, is a
Kalimantan batik with a background of Malay
culture. Dayak Latar Gringsing motif is a blend of
Dayak batik motifs with Javanese batik motifs. Also
developing Tidayu batik, this style is inspired by three
cultures at once, those are Dayak, Malay, and Chinese
which produce interesting motifs (Batik Kalimantan
Barat, 2018). Dayak batik motifs reflect the culture of
the Dayak people. Dayak term which means
"river"(Batik Kalimantan Timur, 2018). So this batik
illustrates various activities those are often related to
rivers. In general, Kalimantan batik has distinctive,
bold and colorful colors. Today batik is also
developing in Indonesia's youngest province, namely
North Kalimantan, its batik is known as Borneo
Batik. Borneo Batik has a variety of patterns and finer
motifs (Eskak & Salma, 2018). The existence of
Borneo batik enriches the cultural treasures of batik
from Kalimantan.
Sulawesi Island is thick with the tradition of
hand woven fabrics, but batik also developed in the
area. On this island batik developed in Tana Toraja,
Palu, Bantenan, Pinabetengan, and Minahasa
(Supriono, 2016). Sulawesi batik motifs are very
diverse based on the philosophy and socio-cultural
conditions of the community and the local natural
environment. Tana Toraja batik motifs include: Pare
Allo, Pa'teddong, Poya Mundudan. The typical colors
of Toraja batik are black, red, white and yellow. Batik
Tana Toraja continues to live and develop until now
(Supriono, 2016). Palu batik motifs include:
Sambulugana, Souraja, Burung Maleo, Bunga
Merayap, Bunga Cengkeh, Motif Ukir Kaili (Batik
Palu, 2013), Kaledo (Eskak & Salma, 2018), etc.
CREATIVEARTS 2019 - 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative
42
Minahasa batik motifs include: Tonaas Ang
Kayobaan, Tuama Loor, Turawesan Paredey,
Ma’sungkulan, Ma’suiyan, Wewengkalen, and etc.
(Supriono, 2016).
Bali Batik is a distribution of batik from Java.
Bali has great potential as a place to grow and develop
batik, because Balinese people are known to have
high intelligence in the arts. Batik in Bali is made for
various clothing needs in traditional ritual religious
ceremonies, as well as for everyday clothing, and also
to meet tourist needs as souvenirs (Supriono, 2016).
Balinese batik motifs are very diverse to others, apart
from having a rich traditional decoration, strong
creativity of artists, the tourism industry is also able
to absorb batik products quickly, so the dynamics of
creativity are quite fast and high. Bali's natural and
beautiful Balinese arts inspire artists to create works
of art (Yoga & Eskak, 2015), including Balinese batik
motifs. Balinese batik motifs are inspired by the
natural environment and culture of Bali and
influences from outside the region, which are
visualized as naturalist, decorative, and abstract
motifs. The combination of Balinese motifs with
Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua, and so
on, also occurs in Bali, because many immigrant
artists work in Bali (Eskak & Salma, 2018). The
Balinese batik motifs include: Jepun Alit, Jepun
Ageng, Sekar Jagad Bali, Teratai Banji, and Poleng
(Salma, Masiswo, Satria, & Wibowo, 2015).
Batik also developed in Nusa Tenggara, both
West and East. In West Nusa Tenggara there is a type
of Sasambo batik. This name is a combination of
three tribes inhabit West Nusa Tenggara, namely
Sasak (Lombok), Samawa (Sumbawa), and Mbojo
(Bima). These three tribes are united in building the
tradition of batik in West Nusa Tenggara (Supriono,
2016). Sasambo batik is done by using a technique of
attaching pieces of hot iron to the cloth to remove the
wax material that has been attached to the cloth first.
Sasambo batik motif that seems abstract is actually
interesting, it looks unique by creating its own
aesthetic that is different from other batik in general.
In addition to batik with the aforementioned
technique, batik in West Nusa Tenggara also
develops as in general, by applying hot batik wax
techniques using a canting as a tool. Uma Lengge
Batik is a typical Bima batik creation inspired by the
traditional Bima rice barn building. The Uma Lengge
Batik motif consists of the main Uma Lengge motif,
a filler motif in the form of rice strands and traditional
dance (Sartika, Eskak, & Sunarya, 2017), This motif
can be seen in Figure 2. Batik that developed in East
Nusa Tenggara is centered in Kupang. Kupang Batik
is a diversification of handwoven textile products
from the hand weaving tradition that has developed
earlier. The batik technique used by applying hot
batik wax techniques in general both with
handwritten canting or stamp canting and its
combination. Kupang batik motifs include: Rukun
Kupang, Teguh Bersatu, Pucuk Mekar, Liris Kupang,
Kuda Sepasang, and Kuda Kupang (Salma, Eskak, &
Wibowo, 2016).
Figure 2: Motif Uma Lengge
(Sartika, Eskak, & Sunarya, 2017)
Maluku also has batik or often referred to as
Maluku batik. Maluku Batik has a characteristic in
accordance with the cultural repertoire and the natural
wealth of the region itself. The distinctive
characteristics of Maluku batik are its motifs inspired
by the produce of its natural sources: Pala, Cengkih,
Peta Maluku, and Flora Fauna. In addition there are
Parang motifs, Salawaku, and Tifa Totobuang (Seni
Batik Maluku, 2018). Sawaluku is a typical of
Maluku weapon and totobuang is a type of
drum/percussion instrument. North Maluku also has
batik, named Tubo batik, taking the name itself from
a village in Ternate, the village where Ternate batik
was first made. Tubo Ternate residents initially made
batik since 2010 and after time it turned out that many
like this Tubo batik (Batik Khas Maluku, 2013). The
distinctive feature of Tubo-Ternate batik is almost the
same as Maluku batik (Eskak & Salma, 2018).
Batik also exists in Papua, initially Papuan
batik was influenced by the style of Pekalongan batik
because of business calculations were more profitable
that batik motifs from Papua were produced in
Pekalongan, then sent to Papua and traded as Papuan
batik. Papuan Batik began to develop around 1985,
the developing motif was a blend of two cultures
between Papua and Pekalongan. Papuan Batik has its
own uniqueness from its motif aspect, because it was
developed from the cultural richness and exotic
nature of Papua. Papuan Batik motifs include: Honai
Besar, Honai Kecil, Tifa Besar, Tifa Kecil, Tambal
The Existence of Batik in the Digital Era
43
Ukir Besar, and Tambal Ukir (Salma, Ristiani, &
Wibowo, 2017). The discussion above is an
illustration of the existence of batik in Indonesia in
this millennium. Of course there are still many batik
industries that have started to develop and cannot be
discussed in this paper.
3.2 The Existence of Traditional Batik
Batik is not a cultural result that lives only as
an artifacts, but as an culture itself lives and develops
in a real way in society. Recognition and appreciation
as a unique cultural heritage that is still alive and
passed down from generation to generation, provides
a sense of community identity, and is considered as
an effort to respect cultural diversity and human
creativity. Batik recognized by UNESCO is
traditional batik or its original, batik whose process
uses conventional batik standards that have been
standardized in SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia)
0239:2014. Original batik which is the process is
making using hot wax as a color barrier material
(Salma, Wibowo, & Satria, 2015). Batik technique is
a work process from the beginning of the preparation
of mori to the batik cloth (Susanto, 2018). Batik wax
resist the color absorption in dyeing, so that there is a
contrast of colors that are reinforced by wax tunnel
lines, so a motif is created on the surface of the fabric.
SNI 0239:2014 about: Batik - Understanding and
Terms, namely batik is a handicraft as a result of color
resisting using hot batik wax as a color resist dyed
with hand written canting or stamping canting as the
main tools to apply hot batik wax to form certain
motifs that have meaning (BSN, 2014).
The higher people’s level of education,
appreciation of art and increase in income, the more
will be for people to return to traditional batik and buy
it, even though its price is more expensive than the
price of artificial batik textiles. There is a people’s
feeling of prestige decreasing when the cloth they
worn is not original batik but the imitation one. This
is also one of the pillars of the existence of traditional
batik. Traditional batik is created through a series of
physical and inner processes into a beautiful piece of
cloth full of philosophical meaning, so that batik
reflects the characteristics of the nation. Pride with
love using batik by the large community, helped
trigger the rise and development of batik industry
which had previously experienced a setback (Salma
& Eskak, 2016). This supports the existence of batik
while maintaining its sustainability. Existence comes
from the word existere, Latin which means to appear,
exist, arise, or have an actual existence. Existere
comes from the ex word which means out and sistere
which means to show or appear (Bagus, 1996). To
conserve and develop the traditional art is the youth
obligation so that the existance of batik will remain
awake (Eskak, 2013). The existence of batik remains
sustainable, always appears in the repertoire of art,
and actually still exists in society as an artwork and
industrial prosperity in today's digital era.
3.3 The Role of Higher Education and
Research and Development
Institutions
Today, when visiting various regions in
Indonesia, regional batik will be found, even though
the area is not known as the basis of the batik industry
tradition. The existence of batik throughout Indonesia
until now is thanks to the hard work of various parties,
both government and private sector related to batik,
both from the world of education, related agencies,
and Research and Development institutions. The
world of education includes vocational majoring in
textiles/batik (SMK 5 Yogyakarta, SMK 2 Jepara,
SMK Rota Bayat Klaten, and etc.), ISI Yogyakarta,
ISI Surakarta, ISI Denpasar, ISI Padangpanjang,
FSRD ITB, FBS UNY, Universitas Telkom Bandung,
and many more universities that have art/design
majors have taken a part. Related agencies include:
Department of Industry and Trade. Department of
Manpower, Department of Economy, Department of
Education and Culture, Plantation Service, and
others. The stakeholders include the National Craft
Council, the Indonesian Batik Foundation, Sekar
Jagad Association, Pertamina CSR, Mandiri CSR,
and others. As an example, the following is one of the
main role of the central government through the
Ministry of Industry with special craft and batik
Research and Development institutions namely
BBKB (Center for Handicafts and Batik). The growth
and development of the batik industry turned out to
have been sought by the government for a long time,
even when the Dutch East Indies government was in
1922 by establishing an institution "Textile Inrichting
En Batik Proefstation". This institution was later
better known as "Balai Batik". In the independence
era this institution was named the Batik Research
Center, because of the demands of a wider scope it
was developed into the Batik and Handicraft
Research Institute. In 1980 the Batik and Crafts
Research Center changed to the Center for Research
and Development of the Handicraft and Batik
Industry. In 2002 the institution changed its name
again to the Center for Handicraft and Batik (Wardi,
2018). The Center for Handiraft and Batik (BBKB) is
a government institution under the Ministry of
CREATIVEARTS 2019 - 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative
44
Industry which has the task of carrying out research,
development, cooperation, standardization, testing,
certification, calibration and development of the craft
and batik industry competencies (Trapsiladi, 2016).
BBKB is a government institution under the Ministry
of Industry which has the task of carrying out
research, development, cooperation, standardization,
testing, certification, calibration and industrial
competency development and craft. (Making
Indonesia 4.0 - Kementerian Perindustrian, 2016).
Research and Development activities carried out
by BBKB is to improve the competitiveness of batik
SMEs, one of which is the development of regional
batik motifs. One important aspect in batik products
is the design of decorative motifs (Sartika, Eskak, &
Sunarya, 2017). These activities in the last 5 years
were published in the journal dynamics of crafts and
batik (Dinamika Kerajinan dan Batik/DKB) motif
development was found in 7 regions. Table 1 shows
the development of the last 5 years motifs from 2013
to 2018 carried out by BBKB.
Table 1: Development of regional batik motifs
Years Region The Results
2013 Sumatera 10
2014 Baturaja 5
2014 Maluku 3
2015 Bali 5
2015 Jember 6
2016 Kupang 6
2017 Papua 6
2018 East Nusa
Tenggara
7
Total 48
In 2013 the development of a typical
Sumatran/Malay batik produced 10 motifs namely:
Ayam Berlaga, Bungo Matahari, Kuntum
Bersanding, Lancang Kuning, Encong Kerinci,
Durian Pecah, Bungo Bintang, Bungo Pauh Kecil,
Riang-Riang, and Bungo Nagaro (Murwati &
Masiswo, 2013). In 2014 the development of the
typical batik motif of Baturaja, South Sumatra
produced 5 distinctive Baturaja motifs, namely:
Bungo Nan Indah, Embun Nan Sejuk, Air Nan Segar,
Kotak Nan Rancak, and Ceplok Nan Elok (Salma,
2014). In this year, a typical Maluku motif batik was
carried out 3 motifs, namely: Siwa, Siwa Talang, and
Matahari Siwa Talang (Masiswo & Atika, 2014).
Batik motifs that developed in Bali also received
attention from BBKB, Balinese batik is considered
not to much reflect the distinctive identity of the
region, therefore it is necessary to create typical
Balinese batik motifs. The source of inspiration for
the creation of its motifs was explored from Balinese
culture and nature. This activity produces 5 batik
motifs that have typical Balinese characteristics,
namely: Jepun Alit, Jepun Ageng, Sekar Jagad Bali,
Teratai Banji and Poleng Biru (Salma, Masiswo,
Satria, & Wibowo, 2015). Batik Jember also gets
BBKB attention, Jember batik has been synonymous
with tobacco leaf motifs, but its visualization in batik
motifs lacks of character because the motif appears
like a picture of a leaf in general. Therefore BBKB
created a unique Jember motif whose source of
inspiration was explored from things that were more
characteristic of Jember. This activity succeeded in
creating 6 motifs namely: Uwoh Kopi, Godong Kopi,
Ceplok Kakao, Kakao Raja, Kakao Biru, and Wiji
(Salma, Wibowo, & Satria, 2015).
Development of regional batik motifs is also
done in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). BBKB
develops its motifs by drawing inspiration from
typical traditional weaving motifs of the local area.
This activity produces 6 motifs, namely: Rukun
Kupang, Teguh Bersatu, Pucuk Mekar, Liris Kupang,
Kuda Sepasang, and Kuda Kupang (Salma, Eskak, &
Wibowo, 2016). The development of the batik
industry in Papua has experienced various obstacles,
including stagnation in the making of motifs those are
oriented only to the mascot of the region, birds of
paradise. Therefore design diversification needs to be
done. Then BBKB develops motif designs with a
source of inspiration from the traditional tool of
Papuan community. Tools as the traditional devices
commonly used by Papuans when at home, while
working, fighting, and performing arts. This activity
produces 6 motifs, namely: Honai Besar, Honai
Kecil, Tifa Besar, Tifa Kecil, Tambal Ukir Besar,and
Tambal Ukir Kecil. (Salma, Ristiani, & Wibowo,
2017). BBKB also develops products by combining
between weaving techniques and batik techniques
which then produces new products with the acronym
"nuntik" which is a blend of weaving and batik. The
products produced are very unique and distinctive
theme. Thematic motifs for nuntik raised from the
East Nusa Tenggara's cultural arts. This activity
produces 7 motifs, namely: Jago, Gading, Gajah,
Kapas, Lontar, Tumpal, and Perhiasan (Salma,
Syabana, Satria, & Cristianto, 2018).
The direction of the development of the motif is
adjusted to the cultural peculiarities of the region, the
coastal area is certainly different from the
mountainous region. The direction of developing
Kupang motifs is certainly different from Baturaja
batik patterns. The development of batik in coastal
areas tends to produce patterns that are very varied,
The Existence of Batik in the Digital Era
45
the color is not limited to brown and blue but also
displays in red, green, light blue and yellow (Sutarya,
2014). Typical regional motifs those are created still
refer to the distinctiveness of the region both
traditional arts and local natural uniqueness, so that
new creatures are not uprooted from their cultural and
environmental roots. Typical regional motifs are batik
motifs those have unique visual elements and
characteristics, characterized certain regions. The
natural environment and the distinctiveness of
regional cultural arts can be used as inspiration for the
work of art that has economic value as a means of
advancing the welfare of society in the era of the
creative industry today (Yoga & Eskak, 2015). An
example in Figure 3 is a typical Jepara batik, Ceplok
Semi motif, developed from leaf motifs on Jepara
carvings.
Figure 3: Semi Ceplok motif of Jepara Batik
3.4 Artificial Batik Textiles Threaten the
Existence of Traditional Batik
Today's digital era of original batik has been
challenged by print technology. Batik was falsified
and marketed on a large scale. Artificial batik
products flood the market when consumers have not
had the chance to understand between original batik
and the imitiation one, and it is indicated that batik
counterfeiters are also imitating batik form as closely
as possible. Consumers are interested in buying
because the price is much cheaper. Impish batik
traders usually mix imitiation batik with the original
one, and sell it in original batik’s price to get a higher
profit. The producers of artificial batik textiles also
constantly improve technology and creativity trying
to make batik as closely as possible with original
batik. This condition can turn off the traditional batik
industry.
Artificial batik textiles or imitation batik is the
manufacture of batik motifs but not through the stages
of traditional batik processes or according to the 2014
SNI Batik, which uses hot wax as a resist-dyed to
make motifs. Batik counterfeiting is done in more
effective and efficient technique, by printing
technology both manually and masinally. It is
summarizing the process by skipping off hot wax as
a resist-dyed uses to make motifs done with
handwritten or stamp canting. There is also a screen
printing techniques combined with hot wax to make
motifs on some after-painted batik screen printed, so
that it can eliminate the smell of screen printing paint
and replace it with the smell of hot wax after-
removed. In order for consumers not to be deceived
in buying batik, they can recognize the characteristics
of printing batik, which only has one cloth surface of
batik sharp-pictured, while the other side of the
picture and color is not as perfect as the opposite one.
It is because of coloring process uses paste paint
printed from the one side of the cloth only. Another
characteristic is the decorative motif looks neat with
symmetrical repetition, because of the repetition
results of the equipment or machine prints.
Traditional batik consider as a hand made product
will looks less neat, but feels more supple. Other than
not to be fooled in an easier way, consumers can buy
batik cloth labeled of batikmark "INDONESIA
batik". The price of this labeled batik poducts is
indeed higher, but the authenticity of the product is
guaranteed. Batikmark is an initiative of the Ministry
of Industry in an effort to preserve and develop
traditional batik products in Indonesia, as well as to
protect consumers from counterfeiting or misbuying
the imitation batik products.
3.5 Batikmark “batik INDONESIA”
In an effort to preserve and develop batik
products in Indonesia, as well as protect consumers
from counterfeiting/imitation batik products, a
labeling policy of batik or Batikmark was made. The
theme of "Indonesian batik" hereinafter referred to
Batikmark is a label that shows the identity and
characteristics of Indonesian-made batik which
consists of three types, namely handwritten batik,
stamped batik and handwritten with stamped
combination batik with Copyright Number 034100 in
2007 (Figure 4). The text is used to label batik cloth
products original only, with curatorial and
administration done by the Center for Crafts and
Batik.
The purpose and benefits of Batikmark
labeling are based on the Minister of Industry
Regulation No.74/M-IND /PER /9/2007 concerning
"Use of Indonesian Batik" in Indonesian Batik ", the
use of Batikmark aims to: (1) Provide Indonesian
batik quality assurance ; (2) Increasing domestic and
CREATIVEARTS 2019 - 1st International Conference on Intermedia Arts and Creative
46
foreign consumer confidence in the quality of
Indonesian batik; (3) To preserve and protect
Indonesian batik products legally from various threats
in the field of IPR and domestic and international
trade; (4) Giving Indonesian batik identity so that
local and foreign communities can easily recognize
Indonesian batik products (Nugroho, 2017).
The Batikmark logo is a distinguishing tool
made by Indonesian batik with batik products from
other countries, making it easier for foreign
consumers to know Indonesian batik or domestic
buyers to be more confident of what will be used as
genuine batik. The batiks that are installed in each
original batik product can minimize counterfeiting of
batik products (Prakosa, 2013).
Figure 4: Batikmark logo
4 CLOSING
4.1 Conclusion
Batik is not just a motif attached to the fabric, but an
entire process of creation, work produced, and
philosophy. Original batik was challenged by the
development of artificial batik produced with manual
and masinal printing technology, and now digital
printing. Imitation products of batik are now flooding
the market. Despite the big challenges, the existence
of original batik in this digital era is still sustainable,
growing, and developing. Original batik made using
hot batik wax as a color resist dyed with the main
tools of hand written canting or stamp canting. The
existence of batik today is thanks to the support of
various parties, those are batik consumers, batik
lovers, batik artists, batik industry communities, batik
associations, related agencies, educational
institutions, Research and Development institutions,
and millennials who love batik. The Batikmark label
"batik INDONESIA" can also support the existence
of original batik. Today's digital technology is used to
support the existence of batik through research and
revelopment, and other aspects related to the batik
industry
4.2 Suggestions
One type of batik, batik painting that once triumphed
in the 1980s, needs to be revived, and to be supported
by relevant Research and Development. Regulation
of artificial batik needs to be emphasized by giving
legal sanctions and labeling, so that the existence of
original batik can be maintained and consumers are
not harmed. Digital technology is further explored to
maintain the existence of original batik, for example,
the innovation of the scanner for the authenticity of
batik products, natural color batik scanners, and so
on. Batikmark is more actively socialized so that
more batik industries use it. Competition such as
"canting emas UNY", design competition, fashion
competition, need to be livened up again so that the
existence of batik is increasingly felt in the midst of
society.
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