INACRAFT 2014

First and foremost, I apologize so very greatly for not updating this blog for over one month :( The number of exams and homeworks had piled up to mountains so high, I was not able to do anything else besides indulging in the madness of school. Once again, sorry :(

Today's post will be more of a report than a review of an event that was actually held over a month ago that I went to with my mom. I know, the event is too outdated because it happened way back in April, but I just thought that it is wrong to not do a blog post on INACRAFT, the largest exhibition of Indonesian arts, handicrafts and fashions. So I decided to go along with the latter.

Without further ado, here goes the pictures (I've got lots)!

LOOK AT THE CROWD!

Comers from different races, ethnicities, ages and genders filled this enormously spacious Jakarta Convention Center, located in the widely-known Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) complex. 

I've got a little story to tell. I was so glad to attend a much anticipated event and I had high expectations. I thought I was going to have a great time. Turns out, most of the comers are very ignorant. Why did I say this? Well, they do not care a single bit for their surroundings. I had a camera looped around my neck, anxious to take pictures of the dainty, exotic handicrafts and displays. For people who had any eyes and are able to use them, when they see someone who's trying to snap a picture, it is in their correct minds to stop or walk on routes that would not block the object that a photographer is trying to picture. Instead, I have found myself pausing for long seconds to wait for passers to strut as if they were the only ones present. It was as if they had zero appreciation on the existence of other human beings. Not one person in that event acknowledged the presence of a teenage girl trying to take a picture of displays that were right behind them. Most of the time I calmed my nerves down and waited until the road cleared, but sometimes I just lose my patience and decided not to take a picture at all. Oh, and did I mention people bumping into me without muttering a single apology?

 Both pictures, for instance, took me a good 2 minutes of waiting for long charade of passers to clear out. I've only got a few more seconds to snap a quick picture before a new row of passers arrived, so please excuse the sketchy angles for the pictures.

I tried a clearer view, but passers own the road. One lady took pity on me and suggested me to try out a different angle, but those pictures are the clearest that I can get.

As I walked along the aisles in between the kiosks and counters, I spotted numerous handicrafts that were so creatively made and distinct; unlike anything that I've ever seen before.

I must warn you though: not all kiosk owners were welcoming. Once me and my mom stopped by this kiosk owned by a middle-aged Caucasian woman that sold ornaments made of mainly glass. The kiosk was also decorated in such fashion that it stood out among all the others. Not going to mention any names, but I'm just going to say that the owner was not very friendly; my mom asked for a business card, and she replied by saying this, "Why? Are you going to come and visit me?". Those words were not spoken with smiles or whatnots. In the end, she decided to give her business card anyway. Not long after, I requested her permission to take a few snaps of her work, and what did she do? She declined me with absolute hostility, she didn't even look at me in the eye when she said it! Oh well, you can't expect everyone to be as sweet as sugar all the time, right?

I did manage to take pictures of some of the products in other kiosks, but let's just say that after the lady's rejection I had lost much of my enthusiasm.

Below are some of the designs at the BECCA kiosk. Unlike the previous kiosk I stopped by, the attendants were all smiles and sunshine. Anyways, BECCA's intricate details made of bead and the vibrant colours and patterns of the batik have added a layer of adorableness and distinguished their products among others. It's compelling how almost every brand label has their own individual signature.

Next up is Chameo. Chameo had this counter that occupied a large area of space. It was my intention to take a snap of the whole counter but you guessed it; passers were blocking my view. Despite being a local brand, Chameo has been exporting their bags to many countries, and a recent breakthrough was exhibiting their products in Japan. It's no wonder really; elegant bags with modern international designs that still scream Indonesian roots (with the tiker weaving, of course), what's not to like?

I had only managed to take pictures of three kiosks, all of which are owned by people whom my mom had made acquaintances with before the exhibit. I've learned, quite bitterly, to not ask random strangers if I could take pictures of their products.

So, last but not least is Origo, a business that started online, but has now received public attention by winning three Wanita Wirausaha Femina trophies. Some pictures below:

I took loads of pictures, eh? It's because Origo's products are so unique! You cannot find jewelries like these in shops like Forever 21 or H&M. There's a certain character in the jewelries, in the way that most of them are made from fabric (yes, fabric) and other elements that are not usually used in jewelries. Despite that, you can see with your own eyes that they turned out to be peculiarly beautiful pieces.  Wear a plain shirt, top it up with one of Origo's necklaces and your look will totally be edgy. Certainly pieces that can spice up your look.

There goes my report on the INACRAFT 2014! Overall, I didn't have that good of a time, but I definitely did not regret my visit. There were ridiculously beautiful fashions and arts that are pleasing to the eye, and it was worth coming. I recommend you to stop by the kiosks and take your time in indulging the sight of the gorgeous works of the locals, although you should beware of some hostile owners! Oh, and the comers too.

(Notice that there were heads of some random passers that refused to acknowledge my existence. FYI, I intended for the  gorgeous lights to become the subject of the photo. Oh well.)

That's all for now! I hope you find this post useful in some kind of way. Ciao!