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FORMULAIC - GEOMETRIC - RHYTHMIC
OSTINATO OF OGUNG textile
A striking feature of many Batak ulos textiles from around Lake Toba is this chevron motif, like an arrowhead.
The striped pattern created against the purple ground of this shoulder cloth is called sungsang. The chevron points alternately in one direction (sung) and then the other (sang). In between are little stipples, or gatip.
The optical effect is similar to that of certain textiles from Banda Aceh in North Sumatra. The visual rhythm pulsing across this cloth resembles oscillating sound waves, with their peaks and troughs.
Ulos pinarsungsang – shoulder cloth, tenun ikat (cotton), Batak Toba – Silindung or Holbung/Uluan group, Lake Toba region, North Sumatra
Kindly lent by Kadar and Anton Lucas
OSTINATO OF OGUNG soundtrack
Rhythmic motif - Subagyo, Pularso Dorojati (Apoel), Bayu Ariwibowo, Novan Yogi Hernando, Emily Rustanto
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An ostinato is a repeating rhythmic pattern. This simple ostinato is created using a set of interlocking gongs (the bass) and one brash, insistent hesek (the treble). Batak Toba gongs are called by the individual names of oloan, ihutan, panggora and doal. The effect is trance-like.
Rhythmic motif for Batak Toba gondang sabangunan ensemble
Instrumentation: hesek and 4 iron ogung (knobbed gongs)
Musicians: Subagyo, Pularso Dorojati (Apoel), Bayu Ariwibowo, Novan Yogi Hernando, Emily Rustanto
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