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DUALITY

Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth. In Malaysia, the states of Kelantan and Terengganu recognize as the base where Malaysian batik grew, although the batik origins are still unclear. There are two majors types of batik, Hand-Drawn Batik, and Block- Printing Batik. Hand-Drawn Batik is where the designs draw by using a metal object called ‘Canting’ while Block-Printing Batik replaced using a copper block. The most popular motifs in Malaysian batik are leaves and flowers, yet it also famous for its geometrical designs, such as spirals.

‘Duality’ is a batik design for a copper block that focused on balancing traditional and modern batik motifs. From a variety of motifs, only two motifs are chosen, which are the geometric and the floral motif. The geometric motif represents the millennia, while the floral motif represents the old generation. After all, this design represents the old generation trying to pass down the craft to the millennia and together need to protect the artwork.

The inspiration for this design was a national flower of Malaysia, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis or more known as ‘Bunga Raya’. This flower means ‘Celebration Flower’ because ‘Raya’ brings the meaning of the celebration. These were to reflect the celebration of unity in a multicultural nation in Malaysia. Aside from that, ‘Bunga Raya’ was commonly seen all over the country and used in many logos and stamps. Also was found decorating fences of many households in Malaysia and even on banknotes and coins.

From the hibiscus flower, took only one of the petals and covering it with another layer on top of it. First, in the outer layer, put a geometric motif to show the modernness. Whereas, in the inner layer, integrate with a floral motif or identified as the ‘Akar Menjalar’ motif. This kind of design is to show that the geometric motif represents the millennia that need to be united to protect and keep the artworks that have been passed down by the old generation. Therefore, the ‘Akar Menjalar’ motif represents the old generation that is trying to pass down and spread the inheritances to the millennia

There are some of the architectural elements fused into the design. Such as the element contrast between traditional and modern motifs that represents the millennia and the old generation. The principle of repetition also happened in the geometric motif between the circle. This crossing represents the unity of the millennia to protects the inheritances.

The batik is made from simple motifs but full of meaning and can turn into a beautiful batik pattern. Other than that, geometric motifs that can effortlessly accept by the millennia, and the floral motifs that have been commonly seen in most batik patterns and have been a number one choice in the batik industry.

This motif can easily appeal both domestically and globally because the design is simple and suitable for the millennia who likes to wear a simple yet attractive design. This pattern can also bring to any formal or informal event.