“Indoartamiks” (Indonesia + art + batik + ceramics) was initiated as a direct response to a group of craftswomen and students from SMK1 ROTA in Bayat, Klaten, who requested ideas how to innovate their products for the global market. A collaborative project was suggested between the craftswomen, SMK1 ROTA students, and a group of established graffiti artists from the thriving art scene in Jogjakar
ta. The goal was to infuse the traditional craft with the street art movement to inspire free experimentation and create an innovative hybrid product for a new market. With this concept in mind, 15 SMK1 ROTA students, 15 craftswomen from the ceramic community, and 5 graffiti artists from Jogyakarta agreed to participate in an experimental pilot project during June of 2011, which produced successful preliminary results and a national exhibition in Jakarta. The program will span two years (July 2012-June 2014), and will be conducted through workshops, experimentation, practice, critique, and exhibition. The aims are to create a sustainable educational and entrepreneurship model for SMK1 Bayat students, be an inspiration for the craft community, and increase global awareness to the local crafts. The intent of the project is not to cause harm to the tradition of the craft, nor to replace existing products, but to preserve the techniques of the tradition while inspiring new interpretations. The integrity of the craft will be retained through technique, while the style and imagery may change to reflect the ever-changing world around them. Reach Out to Asia, Vodafone and VCUQatar continue to give support to this project, which will be under the advisory of Titian Foundation, the non-profit organization working directly with the community in Bayat.
