B

atik designs from North Sulawesi graced the recent ASEAN Art and Culture Festival 2016 held at South Coast Plaza, Los Angeles, US, with elements of the region’s natural beauty showcased through story-focused fabric motifs.

Batik merchant Sizzy Matindas said she presented seven batik motifs at the event initiated by Inspire Nusa, an institution that promotes Indonesian culture.

“I showcased the main motif found in Bitung batik pieces, showcasing the beauty of Bitung city, that of Mt. Dua Sudara and of the internationally known [diving site] Lembeh Strait,” Sizzy said.

Other motifs, Sizzy said, included masculine symbols from Tomohon, manguni (a species of owl endemic to North Sulawesi), gedi leaves (Abelmoschus manihot or Hibiscus manihot) and kabasaran (the traditional Minahasan war dance).

She said her participation at the international arena had been facilitated by Vonny Pascoal, chairwoman of Jakarta-based D’House GV boutique, the host of the Indonesian culture booth.

During the event, Sizzy added, one of her storytelling batik pieces was also presented during the fashion show.

“I was particularly proud when the Nyiur Melambai motif was presented on the runway,” said Sizzy.

“My story-telling batik became an attraction for the people there, especially those from Kawanua who reside there,” Sizzy said.

The ASEAN Committee for Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) said that the North Sulawesi team had added new color to the festival.

“Indonesia is indeed very extraordinary and beautiful,” Inspire Nusa President Nellsen Young said.

The 10 member countries of ASEAN — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam — joined the annual ASEAN Art and Culture Festival organized by Inspire Nusa. Indonesia won the Best Exhibitor and The Best Booth at the event this year.