Thursday, 23rd May 2013
New Tool for the Batik Artisan |
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A simple yet reliable device for ensuring a precise and smooth wax flow from the Canting, the pen-like tool of the batik artisan used for outlining motifs, has been created by three Art and Design lecturers at the Kelantan state campus of University Teknologi MARA.The batik artisan’s craft lies in producing a piece of outstanding design, whose wax lines are produced by a steady wax flow from the Canting. In applying wax to the cloth by using the traditional or conventional Canting, molten wax which has been previously heated in a traditional melting pot, is poured into the spout and this wax has then to be maintained at an appropriate temperature. A wax that is too cool will clog the spout of the Canting. A wax that is too hot will flow too quickly that it is rendered uncontrollable. Often, the batik artisan is also forced to blow into the spout of the Canting before applying wax to the cloth in order to clear the Canting of any obstructions. This practice inadvertently affects production time whilst giving rise to the inhalation of the hazardous smoke or fumes from the melting wax.
