About the Batik Canting

PRESERVATION OF BATIK CANTING

History

Batik's true origin is still a mystery. The word 'batik' has been translated to mean 'to dot'. Some translated it as 'wax writing' or 'drawing with a broken line'.

It is a very old form of art, as evidence of early batik has been found in the Middle East, Egypt, Peru, Japan, East Turkistan, Europe, as well as Central Asia (India and China) as far back as 2000 years ago. Despite its uncertain origins, batik has reached its highest artistic expression in South East Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Batik was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century when the Dutch, who colonized Java, Indonesia, introduced this art form to that part of the world.

There are two distinct styles of batik that have been around for centuries, first is the coastal style which has strong and colourful design in the form of tropical flora and fauna typically from the city of Pekalongan. The second is the inland style of batik which has predominant colours combination of brown, blue, and black mostly from the central of Java typically from the city of Solo formerly the capital of kingdom of Surakarta. Each individual batik sheet is uniquely designed and individually hand-painted making each individual batik sheet is one of a kind in the world.

It is worn by the people of Java of all level of society from peasants to Royal families. The style and quality of the batik sheet represents social status. Any particular design can only be worn by a particular social group such as the Royal court who has their own distinct style and design and produced using high quality material only.

Batik Production Stage

It can generally be divided into 3 types:

a) Canting (tjanting or tulis)



It involves outlining the design using a canting, a metal pen tool filled with hot wax. Colours are then painted on the cloth and the process of the waxing, dyeing, and boiling will be followed till the desired result is obtained. The process can take up to weeks depending on the intricacy of the pattern, which is why hand painted batik is so highly valued.

b) Cap (block printing)


It involves the application of wax directly onto the cloth using soldered tin or copper
strips block impressed with certain designs. The block, or "Chop" is placed into hot wax and then hand stamped onto the fabric. When the wax is dry the fabric is dyed. Then the wax is removed and the pattern is visible.




c) Silk screening (screen painting)



Different screens are used according to the colours and patterns desired. The wax is applied onto the cloth using these screens. This printing method is usually used in the mass production of batik for commercial use.




Canting


Canting is a tool to draw or paint with malam candle drawing onto the mori. Canting determines the name of batik that will be produced to become drawing batik. This tool is made from the mixture of copper and wood or bamboo which is flexible and light

Canting Can Be Differentiated Into Some Kinds:

a. According to the function

- Canting Reng-rengan

Canting reng-rengan is used to make batik reng-rengan. Reng-rengan (ngengrengan) is first drawing according to the pattern before it’s done further. The person who makes batik reng-rengan is called ngengreng. The pattern is the drawing which is used as a model sample. Reng-rengan means framework. Usually canting reng-rengan is used especially to make its pattern framework, while isen or the content of the part in which batik is made uses canting isen according to the content of the part wanted. Batik from the result of taking the sample from the batik pattern framework or together with the content is called Polan. Canting reng-rengan has a singular and middle tip.

-.Canting Isen

Canting isen is canting to make the content, or to fill polan. Canting isen has either singular or double small tip.

b. According to how big is the tip Canting can be differentiated into: 

- Small canting carat (tip)
- Middle canting carat
- Big canting carat

c. According to the number of carat (tip)

Canting can be differentiated into :

- Canting cecekan.

Canting cecekan has one tip, small, and is used to make small dots (Javanese: cecek). A person who makes dots by using canting cecekan is called “nyeceki”. Besides to make small dots for the content, canting cecekan is also used to make small lines.

- Canting loron.
Loron derives from the word loro which means two. This canting has double tips, up and down to make double lines.

- Canting telon 

Candle ("MALAM")

Candle or "malam" is the material used to make batik. Actually "malam" isn't used (lost), because finally it will taken back in the washing process, the making process till becoming batik cloth.

The Kinds of "Malam" and its Mixture

"Malam" that is used for making batik has various types. The quality affects on the absorption power, colour that can affect mori color, the softnes of the liquid, etc
Therefore, its prices are different one another. But in our usage, it depends on the need.

Profesional Batik Silk Painting

Problem Identification

- Nowadays, young generation are much more likely on graffiti painting, and they forgot about the traditional painting, like batik canting, which are valuable. Some of them don't even know, what is batik canting about. Because nowadays, batik canting only produced by old generation, who trying so hard to remain and preserve the batik canting, but the youth generation, they more too modern painting, which is graffiti, paint the wall, and its everywhere. But they don't realize that they are aggravate the views. Unless they do it at the right and suitable place. 

Aim and objective

- To expand the use of batik canting

- To maintain the originality and the beauty of the batik canting

- To expand the art of batik canting

- To reduce the use of hazardous paint

- To encourage young people to continue the batik canting

- Appreciation for the environment

- Future generation still can recognized the batik canting 

- People can differentiate between Batik canting and the common pattern or shape

Ideation and concept

- Classified as an interactive art. Communication between user and the software. To remain the beauty of the design, and also the details of the batik canting. 

Sources:

tjokrosuharto.com

finebatik.com

batikcantingindonesia.com

youtube.com