ASEAN Centre in MGIMO-University the MFA of Russia

Центр АСЕАН при МГИМО

"The Charm of Indonesian Batik" Exhibition Opening

07.09.2021

On September 7, the leading expert of the ASEAN Centre Dr. Victor Sumsky and the expert Mr. Nikita Kuklin, attended the grand opening of the exhibition "The Charm of Indonesian Batik" at the personal invitation of H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Moscow, Mr. Jose Tavares. The event was hosted by the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum. The exhibition brought together leading Russian Indonesianists, including the visiting experts of the ASEAN Centre such as Dr. Alexey Drugov, Dr. Victor Pogadaev and Mr. Mikhail Kuritsyn.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Jose Tavares and Director of the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum Dr. Yelena Titova delivered a welcoming address to the invited guests. The speakers have underlined the importance of cultural exchange between Russian and Indonesian societies on the way to strengthening bilateral relations.

Batik is hand-painted on fabric using special reserving compounds based on paraffin, water and various resins. This art holds a special place in Indonesian culture. Each masterpiece has a rich story to tell, as each fabric has a specific pattern with its own meaning and symbolism. Batik clothes in Indonesia is worn both at home and in an official setting, on special occasions or weekdays. Indonesians are very famous by their love for the national costume and the combination of batik with modern clothing.

The exhibition presents pieces of fabrics and finished products from a private collection representing different parts of Indonesia, as well as objects of decorative and applied art made of ceramics, wood and other materials, which were made with the direct use of batik or painted using the batik technique. The exhibition will last until October 3 and supported by an extensive educational program on Batik.