This dissertation investigates ikat from the eastern Indonesian islands from a uniquely technical perspective, including design analysis of asymmetry and microscopy. Paradoxically, this technical... Show moreThis dissertation investigates ikat from the eastern Indonesian islands from a uniquely technical perspective, including design analysis of asymmetry and microscopy. Paradoxically, this technical perspective highlights the human factor. We see 19th- and early 20th-century weavers’ decisions in close-up, as if sitting next to them. This yields rich insights in both materiality and creativity. It also allowed the differentiation of 21 weave types and their distribution across 41 regions in the Indonesian archipelago.Asymmetry is widely distributed, yet has largely been ignored. Ten Hoopen discriminates seven techniques to achieve asymmetry, including visual tricks and illusions. Sumbanese royal weavers made thrilling efforts to hide their virtuosity, using tiny visual devices, secret keys, to reveal that their creations were far more labour-intensive than apparent. Ironically, because they were such great masters at hiding their virtuosity, it remained overlooked by generations of scholars.In his final chapter the author analyses what may have spurred the weavers of the region to create their most time-consuming feats of artistry, and develops a view of these women as more inventive and intelligent than they have been credited with before – and more assertive, using ikat’s prestige to spin their men into a web of taboos and prescriptions. Show less
Plants and their pollinators form complex interaction networks. Within these networks, species differ widely in the number of species they interact with. These interaction patterns are important... Show morePlants and their pollinators form complex interaction networks. Within these networks, species differ widely in the number of species they interact with. These interaction patterns are important aspects in pollination ecology, since it influences species coexistence and community stability. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms behind plant-pollinator interactions is thus important to predict the dependency of species on each other and responses of plant-pollinator communities to (global) changes, such as the introduction of invasive species and climate change. In this study, I investigated whether flower abundance, flower morphology (nectar tube depth and flower display area), nectar production and pollinator foraging efficiency can predict plant-pollinator interaction patterns and the stability of these interactions. This study shows that flower density might be less important for structuring plant-pollinator interactions. Pollinators do not forage randomly. Rather flower morphology, nectar production and pollinator foraging efficiency are important aspects that determine interaction patterns, including species generalization degree and matching between flower nectar tube depth and pollinator proboscis length (size-matching). Although plant species with deeper flowers are more specialized, they are visited by pollinator species which, locally, fluctuate less across years. Thus, specialized plants might be less vulnerable to yearly fluctuations in plant-pollinator communities than often assumed. Show less
Struikmans, H.; Snijders, M.; Mast, M.E.; Fisscher, U.; Franssen, J.H.; Immink, M.J.; ... ; Koper, P. 2016
