Images and Forms: Visual Art of Indonesia Lower Secondary Arts Unit Studies of Asia Learning Emphases Developing concepts of Asia World contributions by peoples of Asia Specific Indonesia focus: Explore the diversity of Indonesian visual art. Examine Indonesian textiles (batik and ikat), their forms, styles and production techniques, and respond personally. Produce an artwork that reflects an understanding of the nature of textiles in Indonesia. Students explore a range of Indonesian visual art forms and then focus on the particular art forms of weaving, ikat and batik, found throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Indonesian Visual Art Indonesian Textiles Design Brief Teaching and Learning Activities Indonesian Visual Art Brainstorm with students what they already know about Indonesian art and craft. Ask them questions like: What do you know of Indonesian visual arts and crafts? (masks, batik, weaving) Where do these examples come from? Locate Indonesia on a world map. Ask: Where is Indonesia? (on the Equator) Where is Bali? Is it a large or small island? Does Balinese art equal Indonesian art? Using the following websites, students list and describe examples of art and craft forms found across Indonesia: Indonesian Arts and Handicrafts http://www.expat.or.id/info/art.html A comprehensive guide to art and handicraft from across the archipelago. Art-Pacific: Guide to Artifacts - Indonesian Art http://www.art-pacific.com/artifacts/indonesi/tocindon.htm Includes examples of ceremonial masks, Kalimantan weaving, folk art and figures from Java and Madura, wayang kulit puppets from Central and East Java, woven baskets from Nusa Tenggara and lontar boxes from Lombok. Discover Indonesia http://discover-indo.tierranet.com/batikpag.htm Information on the process of making batik. Indonesian Textiles Students now examine textiles of Indonesia to decide if there is one type of textile (ie batik) which represents Indonesia as a whole. Explain that in Indonesia, textile making is an art form and textiles are used in daily life as garments, in ceremonies and for decorative purposes. Each ethnic group uses motifs, patterns and colour combinations to reflect their traditional beliefs and practices. The patterns reflect the significance of the natural world as well as Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic traditions. Using the following websites, students complete the Indonesian Textiles Activity Sheet: Rare Southeast Asian Textiles http://www.asiantextileart.com/html/body_indonesia.html A small collection of old rare textiles showing styles from Java and Sumatra. Tapestries/Wall Hangings http://www.indonesiaexport.com/ikat/frame/f_ikat.htm Ikat tapestries from two of the islands of Nusa Tenggara - Sumba and Roti. Textiles of Bali http://indo.com/culture/textile.html Batik of Indonesia http://members.tripod.com/aberges/index.html Very clear descriptions of the history, process and patterns of Javanese batik. Batik, Traditional Fabric of Indonesia http://www.expat.or.id/info/batik.html Patterns http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~iany/patterns/patterns.htm Go to the 'Batik', 'Ikat', 'Indonesia' and 'Weavings' links to see a selection of Indonesian textile patterns. Classroom Indonesia: Textile Gallery http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/SoutheastAsia/   outreach/ProjectIndonesia/Texgal.htm Students share their findings with the class and decide on suitable headings under which to list the findings for display in the classroom. For example: Colour combinations Geometric patterns Motifs Possible function of item This list will serve as a prompt and reminder for students as they work towards their own interpretations of Indonesian textiles. To complete this overview of Indonesian textiles, students use elements of the textiles included in the class list to design their own batik, ikat or songket pattern. Design Brief Provide students with the following brief: You are an Australian textile designer who has won the tender to design a large wall hanging for the Indonesian ambassador's official residence in Canberra. The ambassador has especially asked you to maintain as many traditional motifs, colour combinations and patterns as possible. You must submit a layout of the total design with close-up work of the border, motifs and central panel for the hanging. You must also submit, in writing, brief reasons for your choice of motifs, patterns and colour combinations and why you think your choices reflect traditional Indonesian textile design. Your submission is to be presented in a design folio.   Note: The student activity sheets are available in PDF format and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in to view and print them out. The Acrobat Reader plug-in can be downloaded from the Adobe website.   | Classroom Resources | Curriculum Guides | Resources | Go Indonesia! | Home | Access Asia Lesson Plans  Commonwealth of Australia and Curriculum Corporation