Babaran Segaragunung Studio

Ds. Dukuh, Jambidan Jogjakarta

Tel: 62 274 377881

 

Creative Process Workshop 

(Through the medium of batik)

 

16-21 March 2015

A Preview of the Week: Monday I. Background of Workshop (please see short biographic information about the teachers on page 5)

• Tribawana Creative Process  taught through the local wisdom of Java but found in many indigenous cultures throughout the world
• Batik as a medium for study of the Tribawana Creative Process
• An exploration and discussion of ‘olah rasa’ and how its use supports creativity

  OLAH—in Javanese olah olah means to MANAGE elements in a combination so that all are harmonious as an example of the use of olah there is: All of our activities involve olah. If we simplify olah there are three forms of olah which in fact form one integral part of each activity of humans. Olah piker which in our life is intelligence quotient (‘ IQ’), olah rasa which is our emotional quotient (‘EQ’), and olah gaib which is our spiritual quotient (‘SQ’).  RASA—in Sanskrit rasa means essence  Rasa sets the atmosphere of life. Rasa is about our intentions in doing something and the energy that we bring to it. Without rasa, no one can be creative. People without rasa will have no aesthetic taste.  Rasa is the key to the regeneration of intangible culture.   Life is rasa, and humans can be said to be dead if their rasa is lost. Among the multitude of rasa it can be simplified to say that there are several categories of rasa.   There is rasa badan (physical) which are those things which can be experienced through the six senses.  There is rasa hati (feelings) which include both mundane and sublime emotions. There is rasa budi (the unity of rasa and the mind which results in behavior that reaches the level of wisdom) which is a religious or spiritual feeling.  Rasa has a definition that is very deep and very expansive. For the importance of creative process, it can simply be said that rasa is the inner radar of humans as a foundation for inspiration. Introduction to the Tribawana Creative Process Traditional Central Javanese batik motif Semen and Alas-alasan (the image of the Semen motif is depicted in the background of this synopsis; Semen and Alas-Alasan are some one of the indigenous batik motifs of Jogjakarta.) (In 2009 UNESCO recognized Indonesian batik as an intangible and oral world heritage of humanity.  In 2014 the World Craft Council recognized Jogjakarta as the center of batik in the world.)

• An Approach to Batik—‘Olah Rasa’-- batik as an absorbing technique/as a geographic phenomenon

• How to differentiate between inspiration/intuition/revelation in art practice and its connection to the micro cosmos (the self), the macro cosmos (the realm of our existence) and the source of creativity
• A brief introduction to temples found on Mt. Lawu and their connection to the Tribawana creative process

2. Activities

• ‘Olah rasa’ through movement to show that your body is a tool for creative practice.

Trainers will be Pak Untung Basuki who will be taking people through basic body movement and Bu Ning guiding students through some very basic Javanese dance movements

• Demo of the batik technique as a form of practice in the Tribawana Creative Process

3. Various forms of batik projects for selection For Beginners EXERCISES and Demos:

• Batik technique canting and safety
• Beginning batik EXERCISE
• Dye Demo
• Explanation of first batik project
• Preparation of a design for a personal symbol for beginners

Projects Available for Intermediate/Advanced Students Using Batik on:

• Cotton cloth (primissima/cotton bedding)
• Paper (rice paper)
• T-shirts
• Patterns for making  batiked stuffed animals

(Those wishing to work on silk should bring their own material or silk crepe can be purchased) Dinner 4. Presentation

• Video of Javanese traditional dance with an explanation of ‘olah rasa’

Tuesday 1. Activities

• ‘Olah Rasa’ through movement
• Concept of ‘ Kayu Gong Susuhing Angin’ (The Big Tree Is the Nest of the Wind) — the connection of the life of humans to nature by Agus Ismoyo
• Creative Process as documented in Javanese literature by Agung Harjuno

Demo and Exercises for Beginners

• Cap
• Paraffin
• Continue beginning exercise
• Make a symbol

Intermediate/Advanced

• Continue selected projects

Dinner 2.   Presentation

• Agung Harjuno’s presentation on the Sukuh Temple/the Blacksmith Relief

  Wednesday       1. Activities

• ‘Olah Rasa’ through movement
• The concept of ‘ Kayu Gong Susuhing Angin’ (The Big Tree Is the Nest of the Wind) — the connection  of the life of humans to nature
• Etiquette in the creative process and its use in aesthetics
• The natural elements’ role in the etiquette  of the creative process
• Movement and creative practice
• Question and answers

       All levels:  

• Continue the projects

     Thursday     1. Activities

• ‘Olah Rasa’ through movement
• The concept of ‘ Kayu Gong Susuhing Angin’ (The Big Tree Is the Nest of the Wind) — the connection of the life of humans to nature

   All levels:  

• Continue the projects   

    Friday    1. Activities

• Traditional Central Javanese batik motif Semen and Alas-alasan (the image of the Semen motif is depicted in the background of this synopsis; Semen and Alas-Alasan are some one of the indigenous batik motifs of Jogjakarta.)

(In 2009 UNESCO recognized Indonesian batik as an intangible and oral world heritage of humanity.  In 2014 the World Craft Council recognized Jogjakarta as the center of batik in the world.)

• The concept of ‘ Kayu Gong Susuhing Angin’ (The Big Tree Is the Nest of the Wind) — the connection of  the life of humans to nature

    All levels: 

• Complete the projects
• Group discussion and  exchange of impressions of individual experiences during the workshop

    Saturday    1. Activity

• Visit the Sukuh and Cetho Temple on Mt. Lawu (Cetho Temple visit will be weather permitting.)

  Background Information about the Teachers Agus Ismoyo is a self taught batik artist who was educated in industrial management and was born into a family from a long line of batik makers, with a strong Javanese cultural grounding. Nia Fliam graduated in fine arts from Pratt Institute in New York City.  She came to Indonesia in 1983 to study batik.  In 1985 she and Ismoyo started their studio Brahma Tirta Sari (which means creativity is the source of all knowledge). They have worked collaboratively together and with indigenous cultures throughout the world.  Their batiks have been widely exhibited internationally and their work is collected in museums throughout the world. Agung Harjuno graduated from Gajah Mada University in archeology.  He is a writer and is the world’s leading expert on the temples of Lawu Mountain.  He teaches Javanese philosophy and is particularly interested in creativity as it has been passed down orally in the Javanese tradition. Pang Warman is a self taught artist (a local genius!) who began his art career as an illustrator.  He was one of the first people in Indonesia to do animation and produced an animated cartoon film series on the epic story of the Mahabharata.  His recent work has been as an artist and writer on a team who are creating archeological museums in Sangeran Java. Untung Basuki is a legend in Jogjakarta.  He graduated from the Indonesian Art Academy (then known as ASRI) and developed a name for himself also in theatre and music.  He has performed in countless productions both locally and internationally. Veronica Retnaningsih  (Ning) Aside from dancing in court dances and other dance performances she has taught Javanese dance extensively including:

• the Pamulangan Beksa Sasminta Mardawa Foundation
• the royal court dancers at Kridha Mardawa  Kraton Yogyakarta
• Kridha Beksa Wirama, Gajah Mada University UKM Swagayugama
• private classes

Enquiries and Registration: Contact:  Nia Ismoyo isniabts@gmail.com Cell phone +6281804363474/Studio phone +62 274 377881