TRADITION AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION AT AMANDARI
Located in the cultural heart of Bali, Amandari celebrates the rich heritage of Indonesia through its unique guest experiences. This month, the resort is honouring traditional textiles and their history by presenting Memuliakan Wastra, a curated exhibition of folk art, fashion,high quality craft and culture that is open to the public.
Wastra is derived from the old Sanskrit word meaning ‘traditional textiles that are rich in history and created by hand. From 30 May – 29 June 2021, Amandari will invite guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Indonesian wastra through the exhibition, which will be curated in the resort’s restaurant and library.
During the exhibition, the wastra will be displayed alongside insightful stories of their unique characteristics and information on the meaning behind each of the symbols, colours, sizes and materials.
Memuliakan Wastra Exhibition
To showcase the historical and cultural textiles from across the Indonesian archipelago, Amandari is proudly collaborating with renowned interior designer and architect Melati and Popo Danes. Through this exhibition, the resort tells a story of the traditional textile and its value as a part of Indonesia’s rich heritage that is still relevant in today’s modern society, including within the interior design and fashion world.
Melati and Popo Danes will also curate a series of events at Amandari, that are open to the public, to reintroduce wastra and to educate guests of all ages on this artform.
On 5 June, Amandari will host a Sustainable Regeneration workshop by Melati Danes in collaboration with the Begawan Foundation’s Learning Centre. This workshop is designed for the younger generation and to introduce young minds to the fascinating world of interior design and give them the opportunity to explore their interests, talents, and stimulate their creativity from an early age.
During the workshop, children are introduced to interior design through a drawing and colouring session with the theme of ‘My Bedroom’ where they will design their dream bedroom interior with expert guidance.
On 12 June, a Textile Drapery session will take place where participants are able to learn more about Indonesian heritage, cultural fabrics and how to dress with traditional weaving fabrics without any tailoring process. On 19 June, Melati Danes and Amandari will host a Reimagine Bali panel, inviting guests to hear from local interior designers from Bali who are part of the Indonesian Architects Association and Indonesian Interior Design Association.
During the panel the designers will share their experiences of spatial development in hospitality and how to implement traditional culture in contemporary ways through interior design.
About the designers – Melati and Popo Danes
Ni Wayan Melati Bianca Danes, known as Melati Danes is an interior designer who has extensive experience spanning over 15 years in the interior industry, specialising in the hospitality sector. Her work has comprised projects in Indonesia, Thailand and India, including one that was nominated as the Most Beautiful Hotel in South-Asia, in the Unesco Worldwide Prix Versailles 2020 competition.
Melati is also an art connoisseur and collector and has been championing Indonesian artisan textiles for decades. She has successfully integrated Indonesian textiles into various architectural and interior design projects and is also a proud advocate of the importance of preserving art and culture in modern society.
One of Indonesia’s most prominent architects, Popo Danes, is passionate about harmony between culture and art. Popo has earned several architectural awards, including the first prize for the ASEAN Energy Awards for the category of Tropical Building Construction Design Indonesia in 2004 and 2008, and Indonesia’s Construction Design in 2003 and 2009.
The Memuliakan Wastra exhibition at Amandari will showcase Melati and Popo Danes’s private collection of wastra from across the Indonesian archipelago including Patola, Endek, Songket, Prada, Bebali, Cepuk, Geringsing, Batik Betawi, Lokcan, Kamasan, Pelangi, Rangrang, Tirtanadi and Sumba.
Memuliakan Wastra Exhibition at Amandari runs daily from 30 May – 29 June 2021 and is available to the public. For more information and reservations please contact [email protected] / +62 361 84 68585
