Kuala Lumpur - A SIMPLE batik shirt is set to be one of the main attractions at the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention & Exhibition 2007 held at the Kuala Lumpur International Convention Centre from tomorrow to Sunday.
Although simple, the batik shirt is by no means ordinary. It has gone out of this world into space and back.
You guess right, it is the batik shirt worn by Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor while he was in space.
According to Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Leela Ali, Muszaphar wore the shirt while conducting experiments at the International Space Station (ISS).
Leela said this at the Wisma Penyayang in Seri Kembangan on Wednesday during a press briefing on the batik convention and exhibition.
“What is also interesting is that the materials used for the shirt came from the winning entries of a batik-designing competition so the designs are different. The competition attracted more than 100 entries,” she said.
Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim will launch the convention and exhibition with Yayasan chairman Nori Abdullah in attendance at Ballroom 1 of the KLCC at 9am tomorrow.
The convention will be held from 9am to 6pm over two days while the exhibition at Exhibition Halls 4 and 5 will end on Sunday. A total of 161 booths will be put up with 28 exhibitors from Indonesia and one from Nigeria. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Besides the batik shirt, Leela also drew attention to other event highlights like the Malaysia Batik, Batik Paintings by Galeri Petronas, Tokoh-tokoh Batik Malaysia and the Piala Seri Endon 2007 Showcase.
The Malaysia Batik - Crafted for the World Movement Showcase traces the journey of batik from the time the interest in batik was rekindled in a big way by Datin Seri Endon Mahmud, the late wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to the present.
“The Galeri Petronas will loan batik paintings from its collection for our use. After the exhibition, the paintings will be sent over to the National Gallery to be displayed for a month,” Leela said.
“About 30 tokoh tokoh batik Malaysia will converge at the Business Networking Lounge to share their insights into batik while the finals for the Piala Seri Endon will be held on Sunday. Tickets will be given free to those who register,” she said.
Leela also briefed the press conference on the Yayasan`s research effort involving natural dyes.
She announced that a progress report on the research would be made public during the convention cum exhibition.
She said the research team comprised three tokoh batik, with help from the consultancy services of batik masters in India and Indonesia.
Other events taking place are batik painting and printing demonstrations, fashion shows, presentations and business matching sessions.
Source: thestar.com.my (29 November 2007)
