Author: Christine Ong Kiat Neo, 2011, 208pg. (English). Softcover.
Publisher: Peranakan Museum, Singapore
Readers will encounter a concise historical overview that situates the kebaya within its Peranakan lineage, alongside explorations of batik sarong and embroidery traditions that exemplify the artistry of textile craftsmanship. Practical sections on styling and coordination offer guidance for harmonizing the ensemble in contemporary contexts, while the Myriad Collection showcases the diversity of kebaya designs across generations. Beyond aesthetics, the handbook underscores the kebaya’s role as an everlasting fashion icon, a garment that transcends temporal boundaries and continues to inspire admiration. It also provides thoughtful recommendations on garment care, ensuring that this treasured attire may be preserved for future generations.
Author: Imelda Akmal, 2011. 208pgs. (English). Hardcover
Publisher: PT Imagi Media Pustaka, Jakarta
This volume constitutes a significant contribution to the documentation of contemporary Balinese architecture, presenting twenty‑five signature projects by the distinguished architect Popo Danes. More than a mere portfolio, it serves as a cultural testament to the ways in which modern design can be harmonized with ancestral traditions. Through 264 photographs and 83 technical drawings, the book offers both aesthetic inspiration and methodological insight, positioning itself as a vital reference for the study of tropical architecture. The projects are organized into typologies—boutique hotels, private villas and residences, conservation initiatives, and museums/offices—each exemplifying the negotiation between global modernity and local heritage. Iconic works such as the Ubud Hanging Garden, Museum Pacifika, and Ombak Luwung are not only architectural landmarks but also cultural sites where Balinese identity is re‑articulated in built form. The text foregrounds client briefs alongside Danes’s neo‑traditional synthesis, revealing how indigenous materials and historical joinery techniques are mobilized within contemporary practice to sustain cultural continuity. Equally compelling are the sharply delineated floor plans, elevations, and sectional drawings, which are juxtaposed with vivid color photography. This dual presentation underscores the interplay between technical precision and visual poetics, inviting readers to appreciate architecture as both craft and cultural narrative. At its core, the volume illuminates the delicate equilibrium between human habitation, modern comforts, and the tropical landscape, affirming Danes’s philosophy that architecture must remain a dialogue between innovation and tradition, between the present and the ancestral past.
Author: Indriwati Gondowinoto, 2024. 148pgs. (Indonesian) Hardcover
Publisher: PT Quantum Media Aksara, Yogyakarta
This book documents the manifestation of devotion and filial piety through prayers offered before the ancestral altar. It highlights how ancestral worship, once a cornerstone of communal identity, has in contemporary times diminished in prevalence, reflecting broader cultural transformations. Nevertheless, the practice remains a profound expression of respect and spiritual connection to one’s lineage. Historically, Tokwi originated in China and were traditionally made of silk, a material associated with prestige and ritual purity. With the migration of Chinese communities to Indonesia, Tokwi underwent processes of cultural adaptation, eventually evolving into Tokwi Batik. This transformation represents a syncretic fusion of Chinese ritual symbolism with Indonesian batik artistry. The resulting textile is not merely decorative but functions as a medium of religious devotion, embodying prayers and reverence for ancestors. In this way, Tokwi Batik exemplifies how material culture can serve as a vessel for spiritual continuity, cultural hybridity, and the preservation of ancestral memory.
Author: William Kwan Hwie Liong. 2014. 229 pg. (in Indonesian and English)
Publisher: Red and White Publishing, Jakarta
This book is part of a program aimed at documenting works of art in Indonesia to support the development of the country's creative arts and crafts. Oey Soe Tjoen's hand-waxed batik is regarded as one of the finest examples in the Indo-Chinese Peranakan style since 1930 and can be found in museum collections worldwide. For three generations, the family has consistently preserved the unique characteristics of design and the high quality of their batiks. Oey Soe Tjoen's batik stands as an iconic representation of Peranakan art.
Author: Francine Brinkgreve, 1992. 160pg. (English)
Publisher: Select Books, Singapore
This book on Offerings explores the creativity of Balinese offerings, featuring intricate palm leaf lamak, vibrant family offerings, and rich dough figurines. It discusses ritual decorations at temple festivals and the cosmic symbolism behind them. The book also highlights the essential elements of offerings and how earthly fruits are transformed into beautiful objects for the gods and spirits.
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