Setono Batik Market is arguably the pinpoint that drives the batik industry in Pekalongan. In this market, hundreds of home-based batik artisans meet and interact everyday. So when Batik Fractal was brought by the Ministry of Research and Technology to foster batik artisans in Pekalongan in 2009, to Setono market we certainly headed.
Together with several dozens workshop participants, we conducted a small research to find the characteristics of Pekalongan batik. From various stories told by artisans, it is known that Pekalongan batik is said to have been influenced by batik artisans who fled during the war in Yogya in the 18th century. Since then, batik techniques have been popular in this city, while their patterns have been influenced by many cultures such as Arabic, Indian, Chinese and Malay. This is very normal considering that Pekalongan is on the north coast of Java where multi-ethnic traders pass.
At that time we were confused because there were no facilities for workshops at the market. As a result, the mothers suggested we study together by renting computers at an internet shop near the market. So we occupied the warnet, from starting to install the jBatik software, introducing the use of the internet, to finally creating a new contemporary motif from the existing Pekalongan batik motif.
That experience made crafters mothers feel close to Batik Fractal. Our relationship continues until they become one of our suppliers to work on orders from our clients. Despite they do home-scaled production, the quality of Pekalongan batik is very good.
Pasar Batik Setono bisa dibilang merupakan jantung yang menggerakkan industri batik di Pekalongan. Di pasar ini, ratusan perajin batik rumahan bertemu dan berinteraksi. Maka ketika tahun 2009 lalu Batik Fractal dibawa oleh Kementerian Riset dan Teknologi untuk membina perajin batik di Pekalongan, ke Pasar Setono lah kami menuju.
Bersama beberapa puluh peserta lokakarya, kami melakukan riset kecil untuk menemukan karakteristik batik Pekalongan. Dari berbagai penuturan para perajin, diketahui bahwa batik Pekalongan konon dipengaruhi oleh perajin batik yang melarikan diri saat perang di Yogya pada abad ke-18. Sejak itu, teknik membatik populer di kota ini, sedangkan motifnya banyak dipengaruhi oleh banyak budaya seperti Arab, India, Cina, serta Melayu. Ini sangat normal mengingat Pekalongan ada di pesisir utara Jawa yang dilalui pedagang multi-etnis.
Saat itu kami sempat kebingungan karena tak ada fasilitas untuk lokakarya sama sekali di pasar. Alhasil, ibu-ibu menyarankan kami untuk belajar bersama dengan menyewa komputer di warung internet dekat pasar. Jadilah kami mengokupasi warnet, dari mulai menginstal software jBatik, mengenalkan penggunaan internet, hingga akhirnya menciptakan motif kontemporer yang baru dari motif batik Pekalongan yang telah ada.
Pengalaman itu menjadikan ibu-ibu perajin merasa dekat dengan Batik Fractal. Relasi kami terus berlanjut hingga mereka kami jadikan salah satu supplier untuk mengerjakan pesanan dari klien kami. Meski skalanya rumahan, kualitas batik Pekalongan sangat baik.
- Pelatihan Batik di Pasar Setono (2009)
