UNS — Recently, batik has become a special fabric from Indonesia. Every region in Indonesia even has its own batik pattern. However, not all batik patterns in the regions are well-known both locally and internationally. Batik Cilacap, for instance, is one of the potential batik motifs, which has not yet well-known to the public. Following this condition, the Community Service Program (P2M) Traditional Textile and Contemporary Art Research Group (RG) Team, Craft Arts (Textile Design) Study Program, Faculty of Art and Design (FSRD), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, attempted to encourage batik Cilacap to “go international.”
The Faculty members who are part of the Traditional Textile and Contemporary Art Research Group (RG) Team held a community service entitled “The Significance of Design in Batik Cilacap Products for National and International Community Awareness” on 4 to 5 July 2022 at the Office of Trade, Cooperative, and SMEs Hall, Cilacap Regency. The training was attended by batik entrepreneurs from several sub-districts in Cilacap Regency, representatives of the Indonesian Fashion Stylists Association (IPBI), and Tiara Kusuma Cilacap Bridal Wedding Association. Additionally, there were also representatives from the Office of Trade, Cooperative, and SMEs Cilacap Regency; Cilacap Regency Education and Culture Office; Cilacap Regency Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office; and Cilacap Regency Regional Planning and Development Office.
The Head of the Traditional Textile and Contemporary Art RG, Dr. Theresia Widyastuti, M.Sn., explained that the training was conducted in two days. The first day was filled with a presentation from the P2M team. Meanwhile, the second day was filled with discussions about various aspects of the design preparation process, including open consultations with the Craft Arts (Textile Design) Study Program P2M team, FSRD UNS regarding how to find icons for batik Cilacap, which is currently still in the development phase. This consultation then continues through an online platform to this day. “The Whatsapp group between the P2M team and the Cilacap batik actors aims to assist them in finding icons for coastal batik from the South coast of Java. Cilacap batik patterns are closely related to local wisdom, which is the sea culture. Therefore, most batik made in Cilacap has the main motif of marine biota,” said Dr. Theresia in her release (Saturday, 30/7/2022).
This meeting is a continuation of the collaboration established with several batik entrepreneurs in Cilacap Regency, such as Leksana Batik Jaya Business in Kutawaru District, Batik Seloka Business in Adipala District, Batik Rajasamas Business in Maos District, and Batik Sekar Waru Business in Nusawungu District. The partnership was established through the Professional Work Course in the Craft Arts (Textile Design) Study Program.
Members of the Traditional Textile and Contemporary Art RG team were also involved in supporting the event. They are, Sarah Rum, Apika Nurani Sulistyati, M.Sn., Drs. Felix Ari Dartono, M.Sn., and Darwoto, M.Sn. Meanwhile, students of the Craft Arts (Textile Design) Study Program who conducted research or professional work in Cilacap Regency also attended the training to provide assistance in this activity. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti