Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Indonesian Furniture


Jepara is the center of wooden Indonesian carving furniture in Central Java. It is filled with mostly small workshops, which usually are the craftsman homes, but there are also some larger manufacturers. You can find an endless variety of good Indonesian designs produced in Jepara, in different styles and different qualities, from reproduction of antiques to garden furniture, and you can even order your custom built furniture. Some are produced manually, using the same methods and processes used in the past; and in larger manufacturers some are produced by machine. Most of the furniture sold in Java and Bali come from Jepara.


When you plan to shop at small workshops, it is recommended to bring along someone who has good knowledge in Indonesian wooden furniture, so you can get good quality furniture at the most suitable price. And with the opportunity to see the craftsman at work, you can also check the quality of their work. At larger manufacturers, the wooden products are classified in different grades, grade A is for the best quality and the most expensive.

There are various ways to go to Jepara. You can go by train or by bus from Jakarta. Another way is to take a flight to Semarang, there are more than 100 flights per week from Jakarta to Semarang. And from Semarang airport you can take a taxi to Jepara, the trip takes approximately 2 hours.

For business or pleasure, a visit to Jepara is definitely worth it, and you will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge in wooden Indonesian furniture.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Indonesian Centre for the Arts

YT Centre for the Arts is a place with unlimited possibilities, where the creativity becomes the appointment we allow ourselves to keep…the appointment to show up and be present, focused and dedicated.
I happened across the centre by chance almost three years ago when invited to a dinner with the artist, Yaari and his partner, Toya, a fashion designer and interior consultant, both now firm friends of mine. I was in awe of their creative values, their warm hospitality and the diversity of the people gathered around the sumptuous seafood buffet prepared by Toya.
Now I can be found at the centre most days, painting with Yaari, connecting with the many ‘drop-ins’ (always welcome), laughing, dancing, body painting or simply hanging out.
YT Centre for the arts is an environment that inspires unlimited thought, theatrics, entertainment and fun, fun, fun (rule number one). It allows us all the gift of art and I feel very privileged to be involved. I see very clearly my own evolvement during my years at the centre, both spiritually, personally and artistically as I gradually allowed myself the freedom of unlimited thought. As Yaari puts it: “free two birds with a kiss instead of killing them with a stone.”
Art speaks in every way here – impressionism, symbolism, digital art, abstract forms using mixed media, home furnishings and fashion abound in original form. Wild textures and colors proliferate on canvas, walls, floors and fabrics. Here the theatre of life is manifested. The YT Centre for the Arts is a foundation of creativity open to all. Come, participate and be present.