Batik – one of Indonesia’s age-old treasures and on UNESCO’s list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity – has been catapulted into the modern era
One of Asia’s most recognisable and labour intensive textile production techniques is currently undergoing a major technology upgrade. The faculties of Art and Design and Industrial Technology (Engineering Physics department) of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) are currently developing a photonic batik machine that will use ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) to colour the cloth.
The machine’s UV-LED colour activator will expose the cloth to consistent lighting, resulting in brighter colours and creating an even dyeing effect through the entire piece. Unlike traditional methods, it allows artisans to produce batik even in poor weather or at night. The innovation will help increase batik production capacity, says Komarudin Kodiya, a faculty member at ITB and owner of batik production house Batik Komar.
This story is from the AG 01/2018 - 129 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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This story is from the AG 01/2018 - 129 edition of ASIAN Geographic.
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