The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-04-19
Batik Making Becoming an Art
BY FREDERIC J. HAskIN

goods Is dipped IN blue dye to produce
green. The wax is removed by gaso-
line.
The processes of batiking have to
the Javanese all the dignity Of an art.
They resent limitations and do not look
with favor on dyed patterns produced
by speed making contrivances. Even
though similar patterns are used over
and over, the designers put something
of their own individuality into them.
Some of the old designs are sacred
to certain ranks and are made especial
ly for them. Hunting scenes, for in
stance, are reserved for royalty. Such
pieces, done by the best batik makers
in Java, are not simple strips Of cloth
with a conyentionalized stag and
hound repeated at strict intervals.
A batik Of this sort often contains only
one large picture and the effect Is like
that of a tapestry.
The Javanese take batik garments
as a matter of course. The work Is
much cheaper there than here, and
the native clothing is simple in cut.
Straight pieces of cloth In squares
and strips of fixed dimensions are the
head dresses, skirts, and scarfs OF a
Javanese wardrobe.
The idea of Nesist dyeing by use OF
wax is very old. The Javanese are
said to have learned the method from
India in the time of Guatama Buddha,
rs centuries ago. 1t quickly became
! popular in Java, and today Java rather
than India, is the place associated
with the art. In old, forsaken temples,
+, tn ~ ,rr1o 90 a.
Tor of the island, carved idols may be
seen portrayed in batik garments, and
the patterns are very like those in
vogue in Java today.
Presumably, the art was evolved in
India. Yet, on this side of the world,
samples of batik In typical Javanese
designs have been found. Science is
at loss to explain how the design and
processes could have been carried
across the ocean in cockleshell native
craft.
The batiks Of Java attracted Dutch
traders several centuries ago, and they
brought pieces back to Holland. There
was not much interest shown in this
eastern product, at first, but eventual
ly Holland began to copy the process
OF late years, the Dutch government
has encouraged it's people to expert.
ment with it. A government institute
| was established at Harlem for displays
of batik and as sourse of information
| and encouragement for batik makers
The history of batik in this coun.
try dates back at least to the Chicago
exposition. Mr.. Neigh remembers a
display of this art by some Javanese
at that time. AS in Holland interest
in the novelty spread slowly. Thea
tres saw possibilities for striking eff
fects in the broad use of the dyed de
signs, and batik has been widely used
for curtains and costumes.
In this country we lack centuries oil
tradition for a high standard in batik
But our artists have some advantage
in greater color resources, in knowl
edge of color chemistry, and in con
| scious knowledge of design. So far
American ingenuity has made no i'm
portant improvement over the ancient
Javanese method of producing batik
/ 1t is true that the general effect of til
Javanese patterns can be reproduced in
printed silks. but they lack the per
sonality and the appearance of being
| handwork that makes high grade ba
| Tx art