Batik Maestro Edward Hutabarat: Straddling Boundaries Between Artist and Artisan
Jakarta. "Indonesia is God's own masterpiece," said fashion designer Edward Hutabarat at the Senayan City shopping mall in Jakarta on Monday (15/08), where he received the annual Infinite Merit Award.
"I've been working as a fashion designer for 35 years now," he continued. "But what that I've been doing all these years is really exploring Indonesia's cultural riches from Sabang to Merauke."
Senayan City presented the award to the 57-year-old designer to recognize his dedication to Indonesia's fashion industry.
The annual Infinite Merit Award ceremony is part of "Glorify Indonesia," a series of events held at the mall to celebrate Indonesia's Independence day. The awards are presented to Indonesians with outstanding works in art, culture, sports, tourism and nature conservation.
Since the beginning of his career in the early 1980s, the Tarutung-born designer has explored many traditional fabrics from different parts of Indonesia. He has also worked with provincial governments in Jambi, Bali, West Java, Yogyakarta and East Nusa Tenggara to improve the livelihood of traditional artisans.
"Edo [Hutabarat's nickname] has always been consistent in exploring Indonesia's cultural riches," said Veri Y. Setiady, CEO of Senayan City. "His works are not mere fashion items, but works of art."
Those works of art are currently displayed at the mall's main atrium. Fifteen gorgeous pieces of batik, adorned by the dramatic Sawunggaling ("Cockfight") pattern in various earthen colors, hover above the grand Minangkabau's traditional house, also known as Rumah Gadang, sitting at the center of the atrium.
The life-sized traditional house is made from 1,500 raw bamboo stalks.
"I've always wanted to create an installation that combines batik and bamboo, because batik artisans usually use bamboo (stands) to work on their batiks," said the designer.
For the art installation, titled Kenduri ("Banquet"), the designer collaborates with a contemporary artist from Cimahi, West Java, Joko Avianto.
Kenduri incorporates a documentary shown on a large LED screen next to the traditional house which showcases the intricate process of batik making.
On the awards night, the designer relaunched his book "The Backstage," originally published in 2009, which throws light upon the often-forgotten people behind the beautiful batik pieces, the artisans.
"There are so many hands that contribute to batik-making," said Edo. "We'll be able to appreciate batiks more if we really get to know the people behind them."
Chief of the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), Triawan Munaf, who attended the awards night, also praised the senior designer.
"Edo's works are indeed Indonesia's masterpieces," said Triawan. "I hope the works of this Indonesian maestro will inspire others to do great things for Indonesia."
The highlight of the evening was Edo's fashion show, in which he presented "Batik Journey," the latest collection of his label Part One Edward Hutabarat.
The collection, which featured Sawunggaling and Garis ("Lines") batik patterns, wowed the audience with their quiet, modern designs that highlight the batik's traditional aesthetics.
"None of the batiks are cut in the process of making," said Edo. "They're masterpieces and must be treated with respect."
The designer promised to keep exploring Indonesia's culture in his career.
"My next project is Tenun Sumba [handwoven traditional fabric from East Nusa Tenggara]," said the designer. "I want to show their beauty to the world through my collection, which will be released in January 2017 at The Dharmawangsa [in Jakarta]."
You can see Edo's art and video installation at the mall's main atrium until Aug 25.
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