DECONSTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE KACU CONCEPT OF BATIK AS INSPIRATION FOR ARTWORKS

Abstract

Batik is one of the arts that contains a whole descriptive belief about how Javanese interpret their lives. It is found in
classical batiks, which are still committed to the standard elements from Keraton as a center for preserving Javanese
culture. Through studying classical batik, the writer finds a concept of Kacu ratio used in making batik. For the
writer, the kacu is a local form of genius that belongs to the Javanese community. The consciousness of the emptiness
permeates all material forms that exist in the universe. This belief is also applied to the process of designing batik
fabrics. For the Javanese, beauty lies in the balance of macro and microcosmos. The actual balance lies at the point
of paradox. Through this research, similarities in the numbers of the Kacu ratio, which is believed to be the golden
ratio of the Javanese people in ancient times were sought. Then the equation would be applied to the artwork. This
study uses a qualitative method with several literature sources to dissect the Kacu concept and apply it to works of
art. The writer uses the Kacu concept to arrange visual objects as a scale and balance composition through a formalist
approach. Finally, the writer presents batik and screen-printing techniques on textile. Therefore, the writer needs
to study the Kacu ratio further to understand what this ancient ratio means in the beliefs of the Javanese people.