Modern Art

[A. G. Maisey]

Sorry I'm late to the party Yohan.

I rather like this piece of work, not as a keris, but as piece of folk art.

There are many ways in which to think about the keris, one of those ways is as art.

For the Javanese art connoisseurs, the keris, & in this context we are thinking of the classic keris, the wilahan, not the dress, so, the keris is the highest form of Javanese plastic art, ie, a three dimensional shaped form, but to be able to appraise a classic keris blade as an art form requires a great deal more education than most people have available to them.

It seems to me to be a natural development of this way of thinking about the keris, to use the keris form as a canvas (so to speak) and to create an art work on that canvas, which in itself can be regarded as an art work.

Would I collect such a piece of work?

Most decidedly yes --- but for reasons that perhaps most collectors of keris would not accept.

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Sorry I'm late to the party Yohan.

I rather like this piece of work, not as a keris, but as piece of folk art.

There are many ways in which to think about the keris, one of those ways is as art.

For the Javanese art connoisseurs, the keris, & in this context we are thinking of the classic keris, the wilahan, not the dress, so, the keris is the highest form of Javanese plastic art, ie, a three dimensional shaped form, but to be able to appraise a classic keris blade as an art form requires a great deal more education than most people have available to them.

It seems to me to be a natural development of this way of thinking about the keris, to use the keris form as a canvas (so to speak) and to create an art work on that canvas, which in itself can be regarded as an art work.

Would I collect such a piece of work?

Most decidedly yes --- but for reasons that perhaps most collectors of keris would not accept.

Thank you for your comments Alan.


I guess what you’ve explained above is not restricted only to Keris.

I observed the same development in wayang. As you surely know classical wayang performance is always based on Ramayana or Mahabharata story with strict guidelines.
Nowadays you can find wayang performance that depict national heroes such as Pangeran Diponegoro or even superheroes story from either local or international comic books. Even the technology changed from traditional oil lamp and music instrument to projector and sound system.

Like you said it is a natural development, probably in order to preserve the art by engaging the younger generation? However the flip side is the original classical art might be lost.

[JayHasAKeris]

For what it's worth... I think it's a pretty blade I think the flashy jewellery is a bit over the top, just draws attention from the blade, so I wouldn't need that bit... but I like the black carved blade!

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Yohan, true. Ever since Islam set out to replace the old Hindu-Buddhist belief systems in Jawa, the wayang has been used for the purpose of propaganda. Maybe before that it was used to glorify rulers.

Wayang performances are delivered in one form or another of Javanese, the levels are usually mixed & sometimes the dalang will switch into Kawi or Old Javanese. Wayang language is difficult. Mostly I simply cannot understand it. While watching wayang kulit on TV I've often asked native speakers of Javanese if they can understand what is being said, the usual answer has been "no".

However, in a wayang kulit performance the dalang will deliver jokes & comments in ngoko or basa Indonesia, & these asides are invariably understood by everybody. Not only jokes & comments are delivered in understandable language, but also the propaganda. I seem to recall that during Suharto's time there was a general order issued to dalangs to incorporate political propaganda into their performances.

So yeah, all these classical & traditional art forms & practices are subjected to continuing updates.

But something that does seem to be unchanged over time is the propensity of Javanese people to liken one another to some character from the wayang.

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by JayHasAKeris

For what it's worth... I think it's a pretty blade I think the flashy jewellery is a bit over the top, just draws attention from the blade, so I wouldn't need that bit... but I like the black carved blade!

Thank you for your comment Jay.

This keris although it was made by an East Javanese kerismaker but stylistically it is Balinese. The flashy jewellery is part of the culture, it’s not personal preference.

[JayHasAKeris]

Hence my saying "for what it's worth" I am very ignorant about the culture as of yet, I have only started my journey to learn about it very recently. Thanks for pointing that out! See my point of view as that of an outsider who doesn't know much about the heritage bit yet... From that point of view I think it's a pretty blade I especially like the tiny keris-on-the-keris detail.

Originally Posted by JustYS

Thank you for your comment Jay.

This keris although it was made by an East Javanese kerismaker but stylistically it is Balinese. The flashy jewellery is part of the culture, it’s not personal preference.