A PILE of clothes and batik was stacked neatly in a pretty display case. Some were displayed on mannequins while some were hung on clothing racks. At a glance, they may not seem like much, these batik textiles of natural subtle hues. Even the design motifs look outdated.

But as soon as the neon lights came on, the silk batik fabrics brought the whole pavilion to life with their reflections of mesmerizing colors. “This is their wonder. The bril