Kris Indonesia Traditional Weapon

The kris or keris is a distinctive, asymmetrical dagger from Indonesia. Both a weapon and spiritual object, krises are often considered to possess magical powers. The earliest krises known were made around 1360 AD and most probably spread from the island of throughout Southeast Asia.

Kris blades are usually narrow with a wide, asymmetrical base. The different metals formed into the blade give the steel its distinctive ‘watered’ appearance called pamor. The sheath is often made from wood, though examples from ivory, even gold, abound. A kris' aesthetic value covers the dhapur (the form and design of the blade, with around 150 variants), the pamor (the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with around 60 variants), and tangguh referring to the age and origin of a kris. A blade smith, or empu, makes the blade in layers of different iron ores and meteorite nickel. Some blades can be made in a relatively short time, while more legendary weapons take years to complete. In high quality kris blades, the metal is folded dozens or hundreds of times and handled with the utmost precision. Empu are highly respected craftsmen with additional knowledge in literature, history, the occult, etc.

3D Fashion: Fashion as Art

 The Fashion industry across the world, including in Malaysia is drifting towards technology. Therefore, a new genre has been hatched . Is it fashion or is art. From the perspective of designers it is a a mosaic of both of Art and Fashion. The fabric is fashion but the visuals are art.

The question is whether the world would be more receptive to this kind of cuture at the current moment is debatable.
However, one thing is certain, life imitates art.
 

Borobudur Temple

The magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian. This awe inspiring monument is truly a marvel. After a visit here you will understand why it is Indonesia’s most visited tourist attraction and a famous icon of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

Located on the island of Java, the temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. It covers an enormous area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stonework of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any kind of cement or mortar! The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue.

Retro Waste 1980s Art Fashion

1960s fashion was bi-polar in just about every way. The early sixties were more reminiscent of the 1950s — conservative and restrained; certainly more classic in style and design.

The late 1960s were the exact opposite. Bright, swirling colors. Psychedelic, tie-dye shirts and long hair and beards were commonplace. Woman wore unbelievably short skirts and men wore tunics and capes. The foray into fantasy would not have been believed by people just a decade earlier.

It’s almost like the 1950s bottled everyone up so much that the late 1960s exploded like an old pressure cooker. Women were showing more skin than ever before.

 For the first time in the 19th Century, London, not Paris, was the center of the fashion world. The British Invasion didn’t stop with The Beatles. It swept into all parts of life, especially clothing.

But actually, lost in the two extremes is the mid-60s, which I think actually had the coolest style, albeit more subtle. I love the long, slender shapes, the bright colors and the young, London look. I have always wished the Mod style stuck around a little longer.

The Art in Drawing

Drawing, is the first image that conjures up in ones mind when they think of art. In Malaysia, the art world is replete with many talented artists. However, Mr Prasad encompasses all the features of an artist. He is lay back and his office looks so untidy it would play a perfect scene in a CSI Miami episode.

I sad down with him and managed to interview him.

" What motives you sir? Why did you pick up a pencil rather than a paint brush" Shumina.
The 26 year old from Kuala Lumpur cleared his throat, and gazed in the roof before coming up with an answer.
" I am motivated by art, specifically drawing because it is the only thing I have ever been good at. I have painting, it is too messy" Mr Prasad.

The difference between painters and drawers is akin to the difference between chefs and bakers, you gravitate towards either skill depending on your environment and talent.

Value of Paintings

The art world: glamour, wealth, intrigue. Beneath the surface there is a darker place. A world of higher stakes and gambles. In the past we looked at pictures now we look through them.Every picture tells its own story.What would you buy if you had $100 million?

My fascination with art starts when I was 10 years old and my father Mr Chrispin Mwitila Shumina took me to Musee  du Louvre ( The Louvre Museum).  Since then, I have a profound knowledge on art valuations specifically in impressionism.  This refers to a 19th century movement that dates back to Paris based artists.  Impressionist paintings detail small thin, yet visible brush strokes.  What makes a painting worth 100 million and another worth $1? I have been to countless art auctions: from France, to Capetown, Africa. A painting is a duet between two people, the painter and the owner. Great emphasis is given to the person who owned it  and the painter. The world most expensive painting ever sold at 300 million dollars. That might sought ludicrous to someone who does not like art. I am going to share with you  some pictures of very, very close friends in high echelons of which I was asked to value. Caution, I do not work at the art auction.

This is a an impressionist picture I took in Kuala Lumpur and I was asked to value by a very, very close friend of mine.  From my experience as an art collector I would value this painting for a lot of money. My beading price would start at $100,000 for the first painting " Red man in the Gondola ".  As for the second painting I would value it at an an astronomical $1 million. I will explain. If you look closely enough, at this impression. The illuminating strokes he used on the trees and the back drop of the clouds means depict a warm picture.  One that one would hung likely anyway in the house, however such a painting would fit in the living room and bed room. It would would befitting to hung it next to the window where the sun rays would create profound vivid image.

Debus

Debus is a martial art from Banten. This art was created in the 16th century, in the reign of Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin (1532-1570). Debus, an art which demonstrates the remarkable human ability, immune to sharp weapons, fire resistant, hard drinking water, insert objects into a whole coconut, fry an egg on the head and others.

 Islamic religion was introduced by Sunan Gunung Jati, one of the founders of the Sultanate of Cirebon in 1520, in conjunction with the conquest expedition peacefulness of Sunda Kelapa. Then, when the power held by the Sultan of Banten Ageng Tirtayasa (1651-1682), Debus focused as a tool to evoke the spirit of the warriors in the fight against Dutch colonial traders joined in Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC).

It is said that martial arts originated from the area Debus al Madad. The longer the martial arts is growing and growing in all societies as the art of entertainment offerings for the community. The show is still very strong core martial arts or martial arts movement and use of weapons. Debus art offerings, many uses and focus on one player immune to attacks by sharp items, and sort of sharp weapon is called with the whistle.