Jplus 2016 01 03 lores

Vol. 3 No. 7 I January 3 - 9 , 2016

GO, GITA, GO! SINGER GITA GUTAWA IS all GROWN UP

BAM! MARKS THE SPOT SPANISH casual dining

TINY PRINTER SHOWDOWN A JPLUS TECH GUIDE

SECLUDED RENDEZVOUS ASIA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SPAS

Editor's note The end is nigh Just one more day. The first Monday of the New Year is almost here, and we in Jakarta will resume living our lives at a breakneck pace. Except, that is, when it comes to traffic.

To ease you back into your routine, we have a cover story featuring Gita Gutawa.

The young singer, at 22 already a veteran of the nation’s music scene, is planning a new album. We’re lucky to catch up with her for a few minutes (Cover Story, p6-8).

We’ve also got articles from senior contributor Duncan Graham, who takes us in search of Indonesian sculpture (Culture Vulture, p13-14), and food writer Kevindra

Check List

Soemantri, who opens 2016 for us with a review of BAM! (At Your Leisure, p.12).

For our WanderLust articles, we have reports from two cities at opposite ends of the Pacific Rim: Hong Kong (p10) and San Francisco (p11).

A resident of San Francisco for seven years, I can say that the author of the second piece is right: Don’t call it Frisco!

The advice comes from Herb Caen, a reporter who wrote for the local papers for seven decades. I prefer Caen’s nickname for the city: Baghdad by the Bay, a riff on San Francsico’s cosmopolitan roots.

I hope that the deliciously long end-

of-year holiday period afforded everyone a chance to relax and reflect. Remember, though, that resolutions and reinvention doesn’t end with Jan. 1.

The Year of the Fire Monkey arrives on Feb. 8 – along with another new broom and another chance to sweep clean.

“Fire Monkey”. That sounds a little too lively for me. It looks like we’ll be in for a ride in 2016.

Happy New Year – and enjoy the weekend!

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In search of sculpture

14

An eclectic surprise

Culture Vulture

Chris Razukas jplus@thejakartapost.com

mark my words

the baby name

game begins in search of a unique moniker WORDS Ika Krismantari

What’s in a name? For a person with a name shared by millions, it’s everything.

FYI, Ika is a common name for a firstborn Indonesian girl – so common that if you shout “Ika” in public, it’s guaranteed that more than two people will turn their heads.

Being one of those Ikas has made me insecure. Whether in class or school, I never considered myself special. The result: I have never been proud of my name.

That’s why I promised myself to give my children unique names to avoid the problem encountered by their mom.

However, in a world with more than 7 billion people, finding a distinctive name for your little one – a name that no one else shares – is quite a challenge.

Creativity is a must in the baby-naming game, as is stubbornness. Parents must be brave enough to say no to ideas given by the elderly, including their own parents, who will probably offer a list of common names.

The notable exception might be if your father is the writer Seno Gumira Ajidarma, who named his son Timur Angin (Eastern Wind). If Seno has some advice, I say take it.

Since neither I nor my husband is Seno, we planned ahead when naming our babies. We came up with a name for our firstborn years before we “made” her.

The same thing also happened with our second one. I consider this like offering a prayer when having a baby. When you want something, you have to name it, don’t you?

We named our first girl Senyum Pagi

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JPlus January 3, 2016

(Morning Smile), representing our hopes that our daughter would bring smiles to others from the start of every day.

The name is actually a nickname for me devised by my husband when we were dating. After we married in 2007, we decided to reserve the name for our future daughter, since we weren’t using it anymore. And there you are, Senyum Pagi was born in 2011.

The naming process for our second daughter was a bit more complicated and we started the discussion three years before she was born in November.

We came up with the name Laksana Cakrawala (Like the Horizon), because we wanted her to grow with compassion, as vast and limitless as the horizon.

However, nearing delivery, I was confused about what the baby’s nickname would be. Should we call her Lala? Or Lana? Or Nala?

I started to think that those names were too common – and the top result when I searched for the name on the Internet was a debt collector. Oh, no!

However, when our baby was born, we were sticking with the name – until, at the very last minute, we decided go with Nyala Cakrawala (Light on the Horizon).

We were quite happy and pretty sure that the name was unique, until a friend told us via Facebook comment that her daughter had the same first name. Oh well.

My choice follows a trend for local parents to give their progeny Indonesian names in sentence form. Kala Langit Biru (When the Sky Is Blue) and Lintang Senja (Evening Star) are two examples.

This trend displaced the practice of adopting names from different sources such as other countries, cultures, religions or even movies.

Those parents gave their children Western names or Muslim names such as Dave, Attar, Muhammad or Audrey.

For me, the “Indonesian sentence” strategy is a good way to ensure that your baby’s name is unique, as we only need to ensure that a name is not shared by the other 240-or-so million Indonesians in the nation.

The chance is slimmer of course when you pick Western or Muslim names, which are more likely to be shared with people overseas.

However, your work is not done after finding a unique name: Being special has also its drawbacks.

I have noticed this lately when I see people’s puzzled faces when my daughter mentions her name, Pagi. Often, she has to mention it twice to convince people that it is really is her name.

I’m worried that she will face the same problem when she goes to school. It’s important for us parents of children with unique names to also build the confidence of their little ones.

In my case, I have started to inform Pagi that her name is special and that not many people share it.

I tell her that as a mother with a common moniker, I want Pagi to be proud when people call her name.

Mark My Words shifts focus between food, fashion, parenting and travel each week.

At Your Leisure

JPlus Team Editor Christian Razukas Art Director Budhi Hartono Graphic Designer Hengky Wijaya Marketing & Advertising Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas

ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com

Marketing Executive Faisal Ahmad

faisal@thejakartapost.com

@JPlusSunday JPlusSunday

On the cover

SundayJplus jakplus.com

Gita Gutawa Photographer: Denny Mirrorcle Stylist: Richard Theo MUA: Ryan Ogilvy Wardrobe: ISIS at Central Department Store Location: Kemang Icon by Alila

good LIVING

The Art of Saying Thank You The Best Luxury Stationery Shops Around the World WORDS JAMES TARMY, BLOOMBERG

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hank-You Card Season is upon us. It doesn’t matter if the present was awful.

Whoever gave it to you made the effort to schlep to a store, wrap it, and hand it to you—or at least shell out for Amazon Prime 2-day shipping—and that means you have to expend a modicum of effort to thank them for it. And no: An e-mail won’t cut it.

Thank-you cards remain one of the final bulwarks of written correspondence precisely because the effort required to write one is, in itself, a demonstration of gratitude. And that’s why it’s doubly crucial that your thank-you cards look great.

They don’t, it should be added, have to actually be printed with the words “thank you” to be thank-you cards.

Ideally, the recipients will know you’re grateful once they open them up and decipher your handwriting. And with correspondence cards from one of the icons below, we reckon it’ll be as soon as they receive the envelopes.

Pettinaroli, Milan A fourth-generation stationer founded in 1881, Pettinaroli creates small batches of truly unique objects. Yes, it prints stationery for most of the Italian aristocracy, but it also makes actual parchment paper, and cards (which, yes, can be used as thank-you cards) out of Amalfi Paper. The latter stock is made in the south of Italy out of fine cotton and hand-pressed with flowers. 12.50 euros per card, which includes an envelope; fpettinaroli.it

Prantl, Munich Founded in 1797, Prantl plausibly claims to be Europe’s oldest bespoke printer. It was the first company to receive a royal warrant from King Ludwig I of Bavaria and over the past 200 years has maintained a loyal (royal) following. 175 euros for 50 monogrammed correspondence cards with 50 unlined envelopes; prantl.com

The Wren Press, London Not every card has to be customized or dramatically unique to make a splash. The Wren Press, which specializes in tasteful custom stationery (it has royal warrants from the Queen of England and Prince of Wales, for what that’s worth), also makes a few seasonally appropriate cards you can buy off the shelf.

They’re lovely and, more importantly, won’t take weeks to make. Thank-you cards have expiration dates, too... 30 pounds ($45) for a pack of 10 “Holly Wreath” cards with 10 handlined envelopes; wrenpress.co.uk

Photos via bloomberg

Dempsey & Carroll, New York One of New York’s oldest and best stationers, Dempsey & Carroll has a robust business servicing everyone in New York of a certain age (and address) with lush, hand-engraved stationery. Founded in 1879 and originally housed in a factory on Union Square (currently the site of a Forever 21), the company followed its clientele and now sits safely ensconced on the Upper East Side. US$65 for a set of 10 “You’re My Type” note cards and 10 hand-lined envelopes; dempseyandcarroll.com Benetton, Paris Maybe save the correspondence cards from Benetton for when you really, truly mean it. This tiny, wood-paneled stationer in Paris’s 8th arrondissement has been the go-to for Europe’s upper classes since it was founded in 1880. (It’s still owned by the same family.) Its correspondence cards, which are hand-lined and stamped with an animal of your choosing, are perfect for short, sweet, and tasteful “thank you”s. 60 euros ($66) for 10 cards and 10 chiffon-lined envelopes; shop. bennetongraveur.com

Mrs. John L. Strong, New York Hand-engraved and hand-bordered, the correspondence cards from Mrs. John L. Strong are tiny objets d’art—and priced accordingly. (Yes, Mrs. Strong was a person; no, she is not alive today; and yes, her company still bears her husband’s name because why change things now.) Save these for the people you actually like or, failing that, for the people you really, really want to impress. $110 for 12 cards and 12 greentissue lined envelopes; mrsstrong.com

Sugar Paper, Los Angeles When you do want an actual, honest-to-goodness thank-you card, you don’t have to be splashy about it. Sugar Paper, an L.A. stationer that uses a handoperated letter press, has created chic, borderline-austere thankyou cards that allow your writing to be the main event. $28 for six cards and six black-pinstripe lined envelopes; sugarpaper.com

JPlus

January 3, 2016

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good living

Asia's most beautiful spas A round up of destination spas that make the most of their setting to provide an immersive, sensory experience.

WORDS Lydia Vasko, straits times (ANN)

Photos via straits times (ANN)

THE BANJARAN HOTSPRINGS RETREAT Perak, Malaysia In a verdant valley, amid towering 280 million-yearold limestone hills, The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is nestled among natural caves, waterfalls and, best of all, rejuvenating geothermal hot springs.

One may imagine that the resort is tucked miles away from civilization. In reality, The Banjaran is in Perak, Malaysia, a quick 15-minute drive from Ipoh city and two hours north of Kuala Lumpur.

Each day, three million liters of underground spring water bubble to the surface, flowing around the base of the limestone hills before being channelled to four outdoor jacuzzi-styled dipping pools.

Soaking in this ionized mineral water – the temperature ranges from 40 to 70 degrees – is said to help alleviate stressed and tired muscles and joints.

The Banjaran’s spa includes wellness treatments that are influenced by the retreat’s Malaysian locale.

These include the traditional urut, or massage, using specially prepared palm oil infused with detoxifying herbs and spices. Both the technique and recipe for the oil are handed down from generation to generation and are rarely found outside the region.

The retreat also offers wellness programmes for goals such as detoxification and weight management.

There is also access to nutrition consultants, meditation and taiji instructors and classes on pranayama - a controlled breathing exercise, as well as natural thermal steam and meditation caves.

Guests stay in luxurious Garden or Water Villas, which start from RM1,300 (S$490) a night. To keep the retreat quiet and focused on wellness, guests must be above 12 years old. thebanjaran.com

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HUVAFEN FUSHI North Male Atoll, Maldives In the Maldives, glass floors in spa treatment rooms allow guests to enjoy the region’s crystalline water and active marine life while lying face-down on a massage table.

Lime Spa in Huvafen Fushi resort takes underwater entertainment a step further by submerging its treatment room, providing panoramic views of the surrounding coral reefs and ocean floor.

Underwater treatments include Lime Cocoon, a detoxifying and energy-boosting scrub which uses seaweed extracts to cleanse and revitalise; and Lime Light, which uses indigenous coconut oil, lime and minerals in its steaming poultices and massage. The 90-minute treatments start at US$315 (S$430).

After these treatments, guests are invited to enjoy some private reflection time and underwater views while sipping a spa cocktail and nibbling on island fruits.

A Lagoon Bungalow with pool starts from $2,563 a night. huvafenfushi.peraquum.com

DHARA DHEVI CHIANG MAI Chaing Mai, Thailand

ST REGIS LHASA Lhasa, Tibet

Set in a 24-hectare site outside Chiang Mai, the Dheva Spa and Wellness Centre within the luxury resort capitalizes on the area’s rich history and culture in an impressive 3,100 square meter complex modelled on ancient Mandalay palace architecture.

Visitors are welcomed in a seven-tier lobby of ornately carved teakwood, then escorted to one of 25 rooms and suites for treatment.

The spa’s menu is diverse and includes a Muay Thai package, in which guests spend 60 minutes learning the muscle – and flexibility-building techniques of the combat sport, then 80 minutes of Thai massage for 4,200 baht (S$175). There is also a 200-minute Lanna Ceremony treatment, which includes a wild honey steam bath, tamarind and Thai herb scrub and full-body massage for 9,975 baht.

The spa has a selection of aqua therapy areas, including a hydrotherapy room, steam room and rhassoul mineral clay pool. It took 3.5 years for 150 Chiang Mai artisans to complete the spa complex, which is decorated with ornate mouldings and sculptures of sacred animals and Buddhist symbols. dharadhevi.com

At 3,680 meters above sea level, what better place to escape from daily life than Lhasa?

Facing the Potala Palace, once the chief residence of the Dalai Lama and now a World Heritage Site, St Regis Lhasa is itself built in the style of a luxurious Tibetan palace.

Tibetan influence continues in the design of the meditation garden and the 1,087 square meter Iridium Spa, which offers traditional Tibetan treatments such as Himalayan snow rose facials, a nutmeg butter massage and a shambala bowl and heated stone massage. Yoga classes focus on five to seven poses which help newcomers adjust to the Tibetan altitude.

Treatments range from 350 yuan (S$75) up to 4,800 yuan for The Alchemy of Light treatment, which uses iridium and other precious gemstones in its massage, facial and cleansing bath.

The highlight of the spa is the Gold Energy Pool, a 225 sq m heated pool lined with 24-karat gold tiles secured by crystals.

Dip in its jewelled reflection, then enjoy a foot massage, food and drinks at the poolside cabana seating.

Rooms start from 861 yuan a night. stregis.com/lhasa An edited version of this article was published by the Straits Times (ANN)

a la MODE

Notes from a tiny isle

Inside the Tiny Scottish Knitwear Studio That Chanel Couldn’t Resist Words & photos Nicholas Tufnell, Bloomberg

W

hen two Chanel representatives visited Mati Ventrillon’s small knitwear studio on Fair Isle in the summer of 2015, she was delighted to sell samples of her work, on the understanding they would be used for research purposes only.

Six months later Chanel featured Ventrillon’s designs during its 2016 preview show, without attributing her sweaters as the main source of inspiration.

Questioned on social media by a bemused Ventrillon, Chanel apologized and said it had unwittingly used the designs, promising to attribute her work “in all future communications.”

When Bloomberg visited her studio on Fair Isle in early December, Mati Ventrillon’s sweaters were not the subject of international debate. Instead of anger at Chanel, we found a professional working to keep Fair Isle’s traditional designs alive – exactly the same combination that made such an impression on two earlier visitors from one of the world’s great fashion

houses.

Fair Isle is located off the north-eastern coast of Scotland, halfway between Shetland and Orkney.

With just 55 inhabitants and about 1.5 miles across, it’s the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom.

Ventrillon – a French-Venezuelan designer who has been working on Fair Isle for eight years – lives on the island’s far southwestern corner. She knits and sells bespoke Fair Isle sweaters, continuing a tradition passed on by generations before her.

Her attention to detail begins with the source of her wool – her own flock of sheep, which she breeds and tends to throughout the year.

“We use the same breed of sheep that would have been used here centuries ago, imported over from Shetland. In addition to my own, there’s a communal flock everyone on the island looks after.”

When her flock is shorn in the summer, the wool is sent to Mainland, Shetland on board the Good Shepherd, a small cargo vessel that delivers essentials to and from Fair Isle. On Mainland the wool is dyed and spun into reels by local spinners who have practiced their craft since the 1800s, before being shipped back.

Once fully stocked, Ventrillon can take orders.

The sweaters are not cheap: an average design will cost about US$700 and takes roughly one month to complete. The price can change depending on how much detailing is required. And there was a waiting list even before her recent brush with fame.

Many of the iconic patterns attributed to Fair Isle knitwear have evocative names, among them Muckle Flooers and Grunds. Ultimately, no-one fully understands what they mean or where they originated.

“The mystery is definitely part of the allure. This is also how I can detect a good Fair Isle copy from a bad one. The good ones understand these shapes are not random,” says Ventrillon.

The same can be said of the colors. Meaning is elusive, but it is understood that traditionally color should be bold and be used sparingly. Each design generally allows just two colors per row of knitting,

with around five colors in total.

“Depending on what the client wants, I’m happy to break away from some of the historical rules around the patterns and colors,” Ventrillon says. “I don’t think this ruins the tradition. Tradition is not the rehashing of history. Tradition is taking what was made in the past and keeping it alive in the present. I think this leaves a lot of room for a natural evolution within the field, which we should embrace.”

When she’s not knitting, Ventrillon looks after her two young children, tends to her livestock – pigs as well as sheep – plants and harvests crops and contributes to the small but close community of the island.

“All of these extra things – the things that I have to do, that I can’t ignore – they’re all part of the reason why these are luxury items,” she explains. “You’re not only paying for the quality of the knitting, but for the hardship and the challenging lifestyle that is required to live and work off this island.”

On the recent encounter with Chanel, she remains positive. “I’ve found the last few days very draining and emotionally exhausting, but I’ve had lots of support from social media and the local Shetland knitting community, which has been wonderful.”

She insists that money is not her aim: “There has been a lot of good will from Chanel since this happened. I do not think any of this was intentional. They have been very apologetic and will credit me as an inspiration.

This is the direction I want things to be moving."

JPlus

January 3, 2016

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cover Story

Here to Stay Back from London, 22-year-old Gita Gutawa talks about growing up, the creative economy and her next album Words handewi pramesti photos denny mirrocle

P

“

eople still imagine me with my pink balloon skirt,” Gita Gutawa says, smiling. “But image is not my big concern. I never force myself to change. I’m growing up organically and I follow the process.”

The 22-year-old singer, born Aluna Sagita Gutawa, talked with JPlus at a recent interview at the Kemang Icon Alila in Jakarta, speaking on topics as diverse as shedding her reputation as a teen pop star to finishing school in the UK. Points of Origin Starting at 11 as a singer, Gita says she entered the industry by coincidence. “I was practicing my singing in a studio and ADA Band was in another studio next door.

They offered me a duet.

“So it wasn’t my father who pushed me to enter the industry,” Gita, the eldest daughter of composer and conductor Erwin Gutawa, said. “He reminded me about school, because being a professional singer is very challenging and so time consuming.”

Gita said that her father was firm and demanded that school be her priority. However, with perseverance and will, Gita balanced her life between singing, school and hanging out with friends.

“I remember that I was reading my [class] notes when the crew would do a sound check, because I had an exam the following day,” Gita says. “Or that I had to decline a birthday invitation from friends because I had a show on the weekend.”

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cover Story

She’s positive when talking about the effect that life in show business might have had on a “normal” teen life.

“I had a lot of experiences and I met many new people. It’s something that my peers haven’t done yet. It was fun though,” Gita says, giving credit to her mom for helping her manage her schedule.

Gita recently returned from the UK, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Birmingham and a master’s in culture and society from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Back in Indonesia, Gita says she’s ready for her next step.

Singing a New Tune Her first, self-titled album debuted in 2007, was followed by Harmony Cinta (Love Harmony), Balada Shalawat (Ballad of Shalawat) and The Next Chapter, in 2014, which she produced and wrote songs for.

Gita has also acted in several sinetron (local soap operas) as well as a UNESCO-funded film titled Grain, which was shot in Paris and London.

“I hope I still can maintain my honesty for my next album,” said Gita. “I want it to be personal again, just like The Next Chapter, but I am also open to collaborating with other singers and musicians, because it will bring more new ideas.”

She’s currently making demos, selecting musicians and writing songs for her next album.

I never force myself to change. I’m growing up organically and I follow the process.

JPlus

January 3, 2016

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cover Story “I can’t talk about it right now because it is still [ just] a plan,” said Gita laughing. “I am hoping that it can be released by the end of [2016], because it takes a whole year to prepare a new album. So I should start now.”

singing jazz improvisation, or a 10 year old, capable of doing traditional Javanese chanting. And they did it well. They were so mesmerizing.”

I learned a lot from this project,” said Gita.

Like father, like daughter Having a famous father was a blessing and a challenge, Gita says. “I’m lucky to be guided and mentored by my father, who has a lot of experience in the music industry [….] It is however challenging because it creates certain expectations from the public, because I’m the daughter of Erwin Gutawa.”

Gita collaborated with Erwin on an album titled Di Atas Rata-Rata (Above Average), released in 2013, that aimed at discovering musically gifted children and at giving them a chance to perform in concert.

“My father and I were astonished by their capabilities,” Gita said. “We found a nine year old,

Overseas “The UK is at the core of creative industry,” Gita said.

“Studying there, I had an opportunity to compare the situation in both countries [….] I want to use knowledge [from school] and implement it in Indonesia.”

The local music industry has been slow to digitize, she adds. “In the UK, when the system migrated to digital, all the systems changed, unlike as in Indonesia.

I assume that it was due to the Internet, which has not been equally developed here, forcing Indonesia to be very creative in selling CDs.” Living in a foreign country made Gita homesick. “To be honest, I was more creative in the UK,” said Gita. “I

SiDe spin

Family

When I'm down, I would play with my younger sister.

She is eight now. I am lucky to have such a close family.

I won’t disappoint them, because they have given me their trust. I want to give positive energy to my family and my environment.

Your Favorite Musician

My father. He has given me so much inspiration in music. Since I was one, I have been absorbed by his musical activities, including him practicing with big names, such as Krisdayanti and Chrisye. My favorite world singer is Sarah Brightman, because I like the way she has made classical music become modern. I am a big fan of Charlotte Church, too.

Lessons from Dad

There is nothing instant and everything is a process. I received many values from him, including quality, work ethic and many others. One day, I will create my own arrangements and produce my own music, just like him.

Bad Habits

I am not a morning person. There is nothing glamorous about me in my daily life. When I lived alone, my room was so messy.

Hobbies

Music is my hobby. I normally spend my spare time by going out with my family.

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JPlus January 3, 2016

think it was because I had my own time to be alone, to daydream, to think and to write songs.”

Moving on In the UK, Gita studied creative economy, which she says isn’t always about entertainment. “With my economics background, I would like to show that the reative economy could be an economic engine.”

“I focused on my studies for the past five years and I was rather inactive,” said Gita. “In five years, there have been a lot of changes in the music industry, plus the fast growth of social media, causing change in the music industry, as well. I need to adapt to a new environment and new people.”

Despite her achievement, Gita says she’s not where she wants to be musically. “I am certain that there are still many experiences, bad or good, in my future. I am trying to follow where the experience takes me.”

I was more creative in the UK,” said Gita. “I think it was because I had my own time to be alone, to daydream, to think and to write songs.

tech Treats

Smartphone printer showdown The Hiti Pringo goes head-to-head with the Canon Selphy as JPlus looks at the best in portable printers.

WORDS Andry Togarma

T

he idea of printing a photo by yourself seems less relevant these days, especially if you’re a digital native. However, having a portable photo printer at the ready – specifically, a printer that

can connect to a smartphone – is always tempting, whether for daily use or on special occasions, such as parties or when the creative urge appears.

Since it’s not easy to know which photo printer is

easiest or most economic to use, JPlus took a look at two of the best versions available in Indonesia: The Hiti Pringo P231 and the Canon Selphy CP910. Here’s what we found out.

Hiti Pringo P231 (Rp 1,250,000 at wellcommshop.com)

Ease of use Out of the box, you’ll need to download an app from the Google Play, App Store or Windows stores. Connect your smartphone to the printer via WiFi and you’re all set. The app lets you do many things, including editing your pictures

Canon Selphy CP910 (Rp 1,800,000)

with various stamps, frames, emojis or text. The average time needed to print one picture is 60 seconds. Depending on your ribbon cartridge, you can even add silver metallic highlights, too.

Performance The battery lasts for about 10 prints and you can’t charge the battery while inside the printer.

Unless you have a spare battery, you will need to wait 1.5 hours to recharge the battery before you can print again.

There are two types of ribbon cartridges for the Pringo: The PS30-23-30 Prints Photo Pack (Rp 150,000, includes 30 blank photo sheets) and the less expensive PS30-23-10 (Rp 60,000, 10 sheets).

Photos via brands

Design Coming in pink or white, the Taiwanese designed and built Pringo P231 is small and cute.

It uses a removable battery that can be charged with its own desktop charger. The printer can accommodate up to 10 sheets of 2x3.4 inch photo paper. Weighing less than 400 grams, the Pringo can be easily transported without hassle.

Specs

Dimensions: 94 x 145.8 x 25.1 mm; 394 grams Resolution: 290 dpi Connectivity: WiFi Direct (Android, iOS, Windows Phone) Printing speed: 60 seconds Print size: 54 x 86mm with metallic colors

Design Bigger and heavier than Pringo P231, the Selphy CP910 is targeted for home or office use instead of traveling. And unlike the Pringo, the Selphy needs to be charged from an electrical outlet, although it supports an additional battery for portable use that will cost an extra Rp 500,000. One important note: You will need to give the printer a little room in the back since the paper will be shuffled back and forth under the print heads.

Unlike Pringo, paper is loaded on a tray in front of the printer, so it is less practical in smaller places.

Ease of use The Selphy features an LCD screen for easy set up. It supports a wide variety of connections, from SD cards, USB (through PictBridge) and WiFi. For WiFi, you can print directly from smart devices using the Canon Print Inkjet/Selphy app, the AirPrint app (iOS) or the Canon Print Services plugin (Android).

Performance The Selphy can print pictures as big as 4x6 inches in less than 60 seconds. Quality is great - a little bit better than Pringo - but you will need to have your picture ready before you print it since unlike the Pringo, the Selphy doesn’t let you modify pictures via its print apps.

However, when printing via SD card or USB, you can retouch a picture on the LCD screen. But the small size of the screen means that it isn’t that comfortable to use, so you better edit your picture beforehand.

Specs

Dimension: 178 x 127 x 60.5 mm; 810 grams Resolution: 300 dpi Connectivity: WiFi Direct, WiFi AP, SD Card, USB Cable Printing speed: + 60 sec Print size: from 17.3 x 22 mm to 100 x 148 mm

Verdict

It depends on when or where you might use such a printer – and whether you really need 4x6 photos. The Hiti Pringo offers something unique, with its metallic decorative functions and useful app – and also comes in a more compact size. Meanwhile, the Selphy, with slightly better resolution, sits in the middle somewhere between the Pringo and a more-powerful desktop inkjet printer.

JPlus

January 3, 2016

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wanderLust

Serenity Now A giant Buddha and a view from above Hong Kong

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WORDS SUZETTE LABOY, AP the tip of the lotus flower where the statue sits, passing by praying Buddhists along the way. Several other statues overlook the landscape and village below. A small museum tells the story of Buddha and sells prayer beads blessed by monks.

This high up, clouds seem within reach. The wind is cool and inviting.

Enjoy the views before climbing back down for another photo (or selfie) with the Buddha in the background.

Buddhists worship throughout the grounds and the scent of burning incense fills the air. Inside the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a spectacular sight: the thousands of small, golden Buddha statues. Outside, the gardens are fragrant with the smell of tea leaves. Stop for a bite at the vegetarian restaurant or try some street food, from fried noodles to sticky rice filled with meat.

Continue your path to enlightenment by taking a short, leisurely hike through the quiet hills to the Wisdom Path overlooking the mountains and sea.

Benches offer a perfect spot to rest, meditate and take in the views. The path is lined with a series of wooden columns forming the infinity symbol, with a Buddhist prayer written on them in Chinese calligraphy.

The cable car will take you back to crowded Hong Kong, but the nighttime views are also worth the trip.

If you go..

NGONG PING: Lines for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car are notoriously long. You can purchase tickets online ahead of time. Travel time is about 20-25 minutes. Or skip the aerial experience and get there by bus or taxi, which takes about the same amount of time as the cable car. Tours are available, as are tickets for single rides (if you prefer to hike one way there).

Photos via AFP

ong Kong is a crowded, busy place, but there is a way to escape the city, visit a giant Buddha and feel like you’re nearly floating in the clouds.

You may have to put up with long lines in order to get there, though.

Ngong Ping Village is located on Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island. The mountainside village can feel a little like a Disney attraction with crowds and souvenir photos. But it’s also the site of the century-old Po Lin Monastery, complete with temples and statues.

The most popular way to get there is the Ngong Ping 360, a cable car that soars over mountains and sea on a 5.7-kilometer route. It’s not for those afraid of heights, since the cable car sways slightly as the winds pick up the closer to the peak you get. And the lines for tickets can stretch for hours, though you can book online.

The view includes plateaus, valleys and hiking trails, and a sitting Buddha on the horizon.

At the top, walk past the shops (or grab a copy of that picture taken when you stepped into the car) and head for the bronze Tian Tan Buddha statue, also known as the Big Buddha. Completed in 1993, this outdoor bronze statue, 34 meters tall rests on the peak of a mountain. Take the 268 steps to reach

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wanderLust

Classics to what’s

new

Essentials for a San Francisco trip WORDS MICHELLE LOCKE, AP

S

ome things in San Francisco never change. The Golden Gate Bridge is still, in fact, orange; Lombard Street still has eight hairpin turns in one block. But if it’s been awhile since you were here, you’ll be wowed by the Ferry Building’s transformation. Here’s a rundown on attractions old, new and refurbished in one of the country’s most vibrant, beautiful and exciting cities.

CLASSIC ATTRACTIONS The Golden Gate Bridge is only 2.7 kilometers long, but its appeal spans the world. You can drive, bike or walk across to the Marin Headlands.

Ride the cable cars from downtown to Chinatown or the waterfront. Tickets are US$7 and can be purchased at the endof-the-line turnarounds or online.

The former federal prison of Alcatraz, once home to Al Capone, used to be a place people tried to escape; now it can be tough to get in. Book well in advance if you want to go; the Alcatraz Cruises ferries leave from Pier 33.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are must-sees for many. Get crab and shrimp cocktails from one of the many vendors lining

Photos via AFP

WHAT’S NEW The Exploratorium, the city’s hands-on science museum, has moved to spiffy new headquarters on the waterfront at Pier 15. Featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, this museum is great for kids but there’s plenty for adults, too. Learn about plankton populations, crawl through the pitch-black tactile dome or step into the mobile camera obscura and view the world upside down.

SOMA – the area south of Market Street – has

the sidewalks, walk around the Musee Mecanique for some oldschool arcade fun at Pier 45. Don’t forget Boudin’s Bakery, which has turned the city’s famous sourdough bread into an art form.

Lombard Street is a fun place to visit, not a great place to drive.

The section of eight hairpin turns, one way, downhill, starts at Hyde Street. Best place to take a picture is at the bottom of the block on Leavenworth Street.

In the mood for sea air? Head out to the ruined Sutro Baths at Ocean Beach, once an indoor swimming pool complex, now an interesting place to walk around. The Cliff House nearby serves everything from a cup of clam chowder at the bar to highend fare at Sutro’s, a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows offering amazing views of the coastline.

boomed and busted with the tech economy, but right now it’s all about the boom. Tweet from the street (after all Twitter HQ is just around the corner), stop for a bite at a food truck, or take in the sunset from the View Lounge at the Marriott Marquis, where the view includes Moscone Center, which will host the interactive NFL Experience for the Super Bowl in February, and AT&T Ballpark, home of the San Francisco Giants.

HANGING OUT Like most great cities, San Francisco is a good place to wander. A neighborhood worth exploring is North Beach, which does not have a beach but does have sidewalk cafes, shops and the landmark Church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Coit Tower at the top of Telegraph Hill is a good photo point. Inside you’ll find floor-to-ceiling murals showing scenes of early San Francisco. Buy a ticket at the gift shop, $6 for adults, to ride the elevator and get 360-degree views of the city.

The city is home to several museums, including the

SFMOMA, closed right now for renovations but set for a grand reopening in May. The California Academy of Sciences, with its living roof, is a good place for all ages, offers a seriously entertaining look at the life of one of America’s great innovators.

And there’s no better place to get your tiki on than The Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel, a former indoor swimming pool now featuring nightly rainstorms, tropical drinks and the Island Groove Band. It’s the sort of experience that has to be seen to be appreciated.

Kind of like San Francisco itself. And remember: Don't call it Frisco.

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January 3, 2016 11

culture vulture

an artist's evolution FROM CHALK THIEF TO GUM-NUT GATHERER

The Tugu Tani statue in Menteng of a sturdy farmer farewelled by his humble wife is one of the best – or worst - examples of Russian Realism beloved by the late President Sukarno. The genre is now widely discredited – but what’s the scene now? Duncan Graham reports from Perth and Yogyakarta.

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JPlus January 3, 2016

president] Soeharto unless it was an attempt to legitimize his version of history.

As a country we’ve been constantly searching for identity – but finding nothing.”

Yet Java was once a workshop of skilled artisans carving detailed frescoes on the splendid temples erected before the fall of the Majapahit Empire in the early 16th century.

Added Anusapati: “Though there are plenty of modern monuments I don’t know of any city in Indonesia that has a public sculpture park.

That’s something I’d like to see introduced, like Gomboc’s in Western Australia.” [See Breakout] Apart from private commissions his work is in the National Gallery in Jakarta and in galleries in the Netherlands, Italy, the US and Singapore.

Critics trawling for a repetition of ideas and styles will be disappointed. The man is versatile and his art resists easy assessments. Much is abstract – it’s the form that seduces.

Anusapati is at ease with a casting on a coffee table that used bamboo in the mold, the carved roots of coconut palms, or a giant bronze of freedom fighter Ngurah Rai who died in 1946 in a battle against the Dutch. This artwork is at the new Denpasar airport named after the revolutionary hero.

Naturally this eight-meter statue has the subject’s name as title – though labeling works is something Anusapati is reluctant to do. He believes art should speak for itself and let viewers determine their Photos via Erlinawati Graham and Ninus Anusapati

I

t all started with nicking chalk while the teacher’s back was turned.

Fortunately when Ninus Anusapati was a schoolboy in the 1960s, whiteboard markers had yet to be invented, so the raw material of classroom instruction was plentiful and wouldn’t be missed.

Most pupils dutifully copied their master’s blackboard scribbles, but to one naughty lad’s creative mind the gypsum could be better used.

Inside each plain stick of chalk lurked an image waiting to be born, wanting only the hands of the right midwife, or in his case, the subtle gougings of a penknife.

It was a rare though not a novel idea; at the time the young Javanese was unaware that the 15th century Italian artist Michelangelo is said to have entertained similar thoughts about beauty seeking release from coarse inanimate objects.

That knowledge and much more, would come later. The journey moved beyond carved chalk when the son of a customs officer resisted his parents’ plans for a career in the bureaucracy.

Instead he entered Yogyakarta’s famous Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI). His parents should not have fretted. Their creative son was rapidly recognized and is now the national president of the Indonesian Sculptors’ Association.

After graduating in 1984 he won a Fulbright Scholarship to the Pratt Institute and studied for two years in New York. Now he’s back in ISI as vice rector, uncomfortable that his administrative duties are crimping his once substantial output.

“I originally thought I wanted to be an architect,” he said in a splendid new office on the old campus. Surprisingly this demonstrates a concern for design. Most government buildings are concrete pillars with infill, as riveting as a stack of shipping containers.

“Sukarno was interested in art, though he favored a Soviet style in public statues. These were more political statements than art.

“Nothing cultural happened under [second

feelings without being guided by words on a plinth.

“The challenge is to think and not be told,” he said.

“As artists we are dealing in symbols, not words. Some people get it – others don’t. It doesn’t really matter.”

At the start of this millennium Anusapati was artist in residence at the university’s School of Art. Every year since an exhibition has been staged at the Gomboc Gallery in Perth’s Swan Valley featuring artists from around the world. However Anusapati remains the only Indonesian so far to have been invited.

“I was among about 14 international artists and we went to a camp deep in the forest,” he said. “Then, as now, refugee boats were sailing from Indonesia to Australia and getting arrested or turned back. This inspired my work. Humans are not goods that can be imported and exported “I’ve always been interested in natural objects – and also those from industry, how the two can be together or apart. Sculpture has gone through many changes – the term now embraces all materials.

“You can use anything, paper, cloth, found objects, waste – that would not have been allowed when I was a student. Other barriers have come down, though sculpture remains a minority and male interest. We get few female students.”

Despite the building changes on the ISI campus there’s an avenue of deans, a parade of roman-style busts of worthy academics.

These seem to fit into the traditional role of Indonesian sculpture – honoring the past rather than exploring the future.

“But I am optimistic,” said Anusapati. “The dominance of Western art is vanishing. So are boundaries. It’s now difficult to tell whether this is a Japanese piece of work or European or American. I like that.”

culture vulture

Bronze visionary of

the Swan Valley

D

uring more than 30 years of running international programs, sculptor Ron Gomboc, 68, has hosted scores of overseas artists – but only one Indonesian, Anusapati – at his Sculpture Park, the largest private gallery in Western Australia.

“We’d welcome interest from the Archipelago,” Gomboc said. “Please apply.

We’re neighbors. We should be sharing.

Where’s the new generation of Indonesian sculptors?”

Since 1984 Gomboc has been funding an annual sculpture exhibition inviting overseas artists to work and exhibit.

In the creative arts, skills alone are not enough to turn talent into business. You need a champion, like Vincent van Gough’s brother Theo, to attract the buyers and keep the accounts.

Gomboc Gallery is located in Western Australia’s Swan Valley, 40 minutes from Perth’s Central Business District, so no great effort is required to discover the

site – an important factor to remember for any Indonesians planning a similar venture.

Ratimir Marijan Gomboc sounds exotic – the Slovenian labels given by his parents didn’t roll easily off the tongue – but the man is unpretentious, ruggedly Australian.

Gomboc wasn’t going to let anyone make him an outsider. Instead the teen who arrived from the former Yugoslavia with his family enthusiastically embraced his new country and made it his own.

He was conscripted and served for two years with the Royal Australian Engineers, putting the time to good use. During his service with the Army he studied painting, drawing, print making and sculpture.

So he was well prepared in the 1970s when the arts flourished with backing from a reform government and a booming mining industry with cash to spare for culture.

Gomboc didn’t just start to sell – he became an entrepreneur for sculpture. He’s won more than 20 international and local awards, including WA Citizen of the Year.

He’s succeeded by creating the 4.5 hectare Sculpture Park with around 100 pieces, and making it open to the public to encourage creation and appreciation.

Two years ago a cultural exchange exhibition was organized with the United Arab Emirates, and Gomboc sees no reason why a similar program can’t be run with Indonesia to the benefit of both nations.

Unlike many other artists Gomboc doesn’t design and get others to make his creations.

After leaving school he worked with his builder father so learned engineering skills.

“I’ve only contracted out once,” he said.

“This was for Northern Spirits, ordered by the iron ore company Fortescue Metal Group and now standing in Port Hedland.

“It stands 12 meters and was just too big for one man so I had to get in made in an engineering factory. But everything else I’ve done myself.”

His other commissions have included a memorial to film actor Heath Ledger [Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight] who died in 2008 from a prescription drug overdose, and the Australian Academy of Cinema and TV Arts awards, Australia’s Oscars.

The Gomboc workshop behind the park is a sculptor’s paradise, equipped with welders, cutters and presses, hoists and pulleys – and a foundry. There’s all the equipment to handle aluminum, steel and bronze, Gomboc’s favorite metal though like Anusapati he’ll work in anything, including wood.

This makes it an ideal one-stop workshop for visiting artists. There’s even self-contained accommodation. All it needs are creative Indonesians. -Duncan Graham Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park 50 James Road, Middle Swan, Western Australia Telp: +61892743996 gomboc-gallery.com.au

JPlus

January 3, 2016 13

at your leisure

Smoky sensual flavor BAM! offers well-executed Spanish cuisine.

U

WORDS & photos Kevindra P. Soemantri

nlike French or Italian cuisine, the food of Spain has not been as popular in recent years in Jakarta’s restaurant scene.

However, there’s some good news for Iberian gastronomes: Local palates are shifting from butter, truffles, tomatoes and basil.

Diners are currently seeking attitude with their cuisine, favoring smokier and more sensual flavors, such as paprika – something that Spanish cuisine does to perfection.

Don’t forget that Spanish food is quite diverse, thanks to the nation’s extended history as a colonial power. The cuisine has absorbed a host of influences, such as Arab, Muslim, Greek, French and even its Iberian neighbor, the Portuguese.

Offering a different type of fusion, BAM! at Plaza Indonesia is offering Spanish cuisine that’s surprisingly delicious.

Arriving for a late lunch, we walked through an alley of luxury refrigerators storing a vast selection of sake. (BAM! is co-located with Senju Omakase & Sake Bar).

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The decor was also an eclectic mix, featuring Spanish architectural notes and a colorful mural of a geisha on top of a omakase table.

The restaurant is helmed by Chef Arturo Godó i Hernández, a Barcelona-born Spaniard who worked at the twoMichelin star L’Hôtel Les Pyrénées in France and the oneMichelin starred Restaurant Can Jubany and Restaurante Dos Cielos in Spain before coming to Jakarta. The restaurant itself is an offshoot of BAM! in Singapore's Tanjong Pagar hipster haven.

Our waiter spoke fluent English as he greeted us, later bringing us a pair of cute signature mocktails that resembled a drink from childhood.

Chef Arturo also came to our table to chat, sharing with us his thoughts on the culinary world that evinced a praiseworthy knowledge.

We had heard that Chef Arturo’s corn soup was outstanding.

Delivered to us by the chef, the subtle and elegant dish was drizzled with truffle oil and sprinkled with habanero chilli powder.

There was creamy ricotta in the middle and two big, luscious seared prawns.

My dining companion’s eyebrows rose when out next dish arrived: A simple grilled spring onion, served with traditional Mediterranean hummus, vadouban and dehydrated calamata olives made into a fine powder.

“Is this too simple, or will we have a surprise?” I asked. We agreed that the onion was simple home cooking done to perfection, licking our spoons to taste the delicious vadouban foam.

Our next dish, a vegetable stew, was a rustic reflection on the fusion of Japanese umami flavors with their bolder Spanish counterparts. I found it similar in aroma to chapcae, perhaps due to cauliflower, mushroom foam and the savory broth.

Chef Arturo again came to our table to present our next dish, which he described as Spanish beef tongue, fig, salad, nutmeg chutney and walnut that was inspired by the local abundance of nutmeg – which he brilliantly and successfully incorporated into the dish, from seed to flesh.

We were then given the chef’s next creation: Crispy cannelloni, tomato concasse and shrimp – a stellar dish and a standout item on the menu.

I never knew that pasta could be cooked crisply, while the concasse gave insight into how the Spanish love to eat fruit that is ripe and freshly picked.

While the restaurant fell short of the standards of fine dining – waiters constantly walked around our tables on their way to take a break – Chef Arturo executed his menu quite brilliantly.

I cannot wait to return.

BAM! Tapas & Sake Bar Plaza Indonesia, Level 3, Central Jakarta Telp: +622129924222 bam-id.com

tasteBUD

Italian comfort food A recipe for Pizzaiola Beef, perfect for the first day back at the office Words and photos Theodora Hurustiati

A

fter two weeks of holidays, it’s going to be difficult waking up Monday morning.

I know that the first day back can be traumatic, so I thought you might want something warm and comforting on the dinner table to welcome you when you get back home.

Carne alla pizzaiola – meat with pizza-style sauce – is probably the ultimate Italian comfort food. It’s definitely a dish that reminds many adult Italians of childhood.

While beef pizzaiola comes originally from Naples, the birthplace of pizza; it’s fame has gone nationwide. The recipe is part of every Italian mother’s repertoire. I can understand why: It’s an easy dish to prepare, even in large quantities, and uses relatively affordable ingredients. If you think that beef is too pricey (or unhealthy), you can substitute chicken breast fillets.

Pizzaiola is even tastier when reheated

the next day and the leftover sauce makes a great pasta condiment. Make this dish today so that tomorrow night all you have to do is turn on the microwave for a few seconds, sit back and relax. You deserve it!

Serves 4 500g beef (brisket, chuck or round), thinly sliced 400g tinned tomato pulp 2 cloves of garlic 1 teaspoon dried oregano Black pepper, to taste Salt, to taste Extra virgin olive oil 50g mozzarella cheese (optional) Fresh oregano, for garnish 2 carrots 200g broccoli 4 potatoes

• Peel carrots and potatoes. Slice to your liking. Place on steamer. Season with salt and cook with broccoli florets for about 15 minutes until tender.

• Pound beef with a meat tenderizer to break fibers and obtain thin slices.

• Heat enough oil to cover bottom of pan over medium-low heat. Crush and peel garlic. Fry until fragrant and golden brown.

• Remove garlic from oil. Sear beef for about a minute on each side until the color changes and the edges are slightly golden. Don’t cram in too many at once:

Fry in batches of 2 or 3 slices. Set aside on a plate. Season with salt and pepper.

• Pour tomato pulp into the same pan in that used to sear beef. Add oregano and season with freshly ground black pepper and salt. Gently simmer sauce for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens.

• Put beef back into the pan, making sure that sauce coats each slice. Cook for a further couple of minutes until meat is cooked and heated through.

• Serve hot with steamed vegetables.

Garnish with diced mozzarella cheese over beef to melt and add a few fresh oregano leaves.

Jakarta-born chef Theodora Hurustiati, a 13-year resident of Udine, Italy, was the runner-up in the TV cooking program La Scuola – Cucina di Classe (The School: Classy Cooking).

JPlus

January 3, 2016 15

trendDIAL Yin Yang pumps

New Year’s Eve might be over, but that’s no reason to step down your glitz factor. Sara Melissa Designs is keeping luxe alive with its new Yin Yang series of unique handcrafted shoes. Made from leather, the shoes come feature royal-blue hued stitching and two glittering inverse colorways that can be paired up to impress or paired down with jeans.

The towering 3.75-inch heel is offset by a flexible cushioned sole to help you power on well past midnight. Visit @SaraM_Designs on Twitter. +Prasiddha Gustanto

“Sabbatical” travel coffee kit

The “Sabbatical Travel Kit” by Blue Bottle and Timbuk2 follows their previous collaboration on a weekender travel kit in 2015. The “Sabbatical” features a kettle, a travel dipper, scale and filters – all the essentials needed when making the perfect cup of java, while enamel tumblers offer a touch of class. The canvas case features a padded interior resembling the partitioned interior of a photographer’s bag, certain to keep this set of exquisite gear safe as you roam. US$349. +Prasiddha Gustanto

A NEW

START

begina the year like you mean business.

Limited Pokémon-themed Nintendo 2DS Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie

It’s January, which means that watch lovers will be descending on Geneva for the Salon International de Haute Horlogerie, where Montblanc is set to debut two exquisite timepieces. First, the Heritage Chronométrie Date by Hand goes well with a suit or sweater thanks to its thin case, while its new-date display at 3 o’clock has a retro look designed to resemble vintage chronographs. The slightly larger Heritage Chronométrie Chronograph Annual Calendar combines chronograph and calendar. Both watches come in stainless steel or red gold. +Bloomberg

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Collins Notebooks Archipelago Series

Collins Notebooks, the diary makers of the British Royal Family, is offering its Indonesian-inspired (and made) Archipelago series of notebooks that graphophiles will love. Featuring 192 pages of 70 GSM-weight paper, the notebooks boast rounded corners, a ribbon bookmark with embossed leather fob and an ever-valuable inner pocket. An elastic wrap-around closure features one of three batik patterns: Truntum, Parang Rusak or Kawung, that are also stamped into the cover. Sizes range from pocket-sized A4 to A5, with a flip-to-open journalist’s version also on offer, while pages are either lined or blank. Available at Kinokuniya and Gramedia. +Christian Razukas

Those of us who grew up with Pokémon will want to check out Nintendo’s latest nostalgia trip. The venerable Japanese gaming atelier will offer four glittering 2DS consoles when it launches remakes of the first four Pokémon games that started the famed franchise. The consoles – which use 1990s-inspired see-through casings, allowing a glimpse of circuit boards within – will be bundled with a new Pokémon game when released in February. While the “Crystal Red” and “Crystal Blue” consoles were previously released in Europe with older titles, the upcoming launch of the new bundles will mark the limitededition’s Asian bow. +Prasiddha Gustanto