Legend on a Legacy

10/27/2018

All of us have unquestionably grown up watching Mickey Mouse. It was created by the visionary Walt Disney and partner Ub Iwerks in the early 20th century and this year Disney is celebrating Mickey Mouse’s 90th Anniversary. It is celebrated worldwide and the company has appointed reputable brands from selected countries to depict the legendary character. With an appreciation of Indonesian batik, they go to Iwan Tirta.

Iwan Tirta has been known for his excellence in making chronographs through batik patterns. His works were appreciated and worn by world-class leaders such as Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. His batik patterns are now incorporated into many types of products such as jewellery and furniture, but fashion was always his main focus, and it is continued to date by Iwan Tirta Private Collection (ITPC). Their meaningful batik patterns and finest craftsmanship have put the brand at the forefront of Indonesia’s batik industry, and this has caught the attention of Disney.

“Mickey The True Original” is chosen as the theme for the collaborations worldwide. It celebrates Mickey as an icon of cross-age pop culture with a profound influence on the development of arts and creativities from across the world.

Having collaborated with several multinational companies and brands that are paralleled to their branding position, ITPC then agreed to work with Disney for the celebration. They released a special collection called “Garuda Serakit Mickey 90th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Special Edition”, in which they combine Indonesia’s heritage patterns with graphics of the legendary characters into sheets of collectible batik.

Garuda itself is the icon of Indonesia. It is a mythical animal believed as the vehicle of Vishnu, known as the preserver. For this task, Garuda symbolises a hope of the founding fathers that it can help to carry Indonesia to become a great nation, with the power to determine its own destiny and future. Iwan Tirta Private Collection combines Mickey Mouse as an icon of pop culture with batik as an Indonesian art and culture identity through the concept of hidden Mickey, where the Mickey Mouse’s head and ear elements combine implicitly and elegantly into the Garuda Serakit motif as a symbol of sovereignty and independence.

“Garuda Serakit Mickey 90th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Special Edition” is dedicated not only to Mickey Mouse fans, but also to the batik and art enthusiasts. This collection can be appreciated well; not only as collectible items that must be owned, but also as a medium to share the positive vibe, happiness, good spirit of both characters and to inspire people to preserve batik as the pride of the nation.

ITPC made a special presentation for this edition, where each set of patterns consists of 90 Garuda tails and wings, combining nine Hidden Mickey illustrations. It is all hand-processed on silk woven material with outstanding prada (gold tint) application technique. This collection comes in loose fabric, menswear and ladies wear in various styles. This special collection is exclusively available at Iwan Tirta Private Collection flagship gallery at Plaza Indonesia.

Like this story, share to your friends
THIS STORY WAS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN
Barbara Hahijary
Author
Barbara earned her bachelor's degree in architecture from the Interior Architecture Program of the University of Indonesia in 2013. Historical or heritage buildings, as well as utilitarian design, fascinates her as it is the interaction between people and architecture that remains her favourite topic to explore. Besides architecture, her interests include design, handcrafts, literature and social issues.