FINALIST 12

Batik is a technique of hand dyeing fabrics using wax as a dye repellent to cover the part of the design. There are two main types of batik in Malaysia which are hand painted batik or known as canting and block printed batik. These two differ in the production technique, motif and expression of the design. Canting is a pen-like tool used to apply the hot wax on the fabric to create a design. Block printed batik is a technique of stamping the pattern with a copper block named cap. Batik industry has contributed to creating jobs for local communities; raising our country's fashion industry and supporting the development of cultural tourism technology correspondingly lead the development of Malaysian craft industry.

This project gives the chance for students to explore and innovate new ideas of batik design by combining the element of architecture to create a suitable design for batik print. Based on the theme “Aspirana Millennia” which means inspired by the young generation, this design has been made with the concept of Freedom. Freedom generally means having the ability to act or change without limitation and uncommitted with something, which can be related with the young generation nowadays that tend to act more flexible and freely in their life without any boundaries.

This design was inspired by Bunga Raya (Hibiscus rosa- sinensis) that was declared by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj on 28th of July 1960 as Malaysia national flower. Bunga Raya has become a symbol of love for the birth of our nation, Malaysia. The red vibrant colour of Bunga Raya made it stand out the most. Bunga Raya also symbolizes the courage and vitality of the people. Bunga Raya has organic shaped petals and leaves that are often described as irregular and did not obey the strict rules of geometry and symmetry. This can be related with the young generation that chooses to live freely and more diversely without obeying the traditional myth that existed since the ancestral era. Organic pattern might be inspires the young generation to think freely and expend their creativity in life. The organic pattern also can attract the young generation and expend visual interest in their soul.

Since the petals and leaves are in organic pattern and described as free form, the touch of lines has been added on the design as well to be interpreted as the young generation path of their dream which differ from each other as lines are not always straight or bent. As we are aware, most of young generations nowadays are struggle in pursuing their dreams because of the outbreak and today’s society. By adding the element of lines and the story behind it, may give the young generation some awareness for not giving up from their dream even though the path is not as straight as what they imagine.In accordance with the concept of freedom and inspiration from Bunga Raya (Hibiscus rosa- sinensis), ‘Young Dream’ has been decided as the name of this design.

Composition of batik on 2m fabric;