Reply: Joint fixture for my art installation

Ravinda Cheema asked a question on my earlier post about my MA graduation show project at: http://kamaldollah.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/graduation-show-ma-contemporary-practice/ Here is a photo to accompany my answer.

I bent the tubes and crudely connect it with a ring. On hindsight, I feel that there could be a better way by replicating the mechanism found in an umbrella.

Since I am revisiting the subject, I might as well add that my installation which opens to almost 4 metres high, fits in my back pack. Please don’t ask me how? It is designed like an umbrella - go figure.

KLIB 2007: Kuala Lumpur International Batik Conference and Exhibition

Batik is big in Malaysia. Well not as big as it is in Indonesia, but I can safely say it is a BIG effort with so many activities promoting Malaysian batik in Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia) and with key people from around the world who champions batik convening at the KLCC convention center for the second Kuala Lumpur International Batik (KLIB) from 30th Nov - 2nd Dec 2007. The first KLIB was held in 2005.

I had the privilege of being invited as a foreign speaker because of my MA thesis about innovating batik-painting for contemporary practice attracted their attention. It addresses the presuppositions that is related to the medium and my experimentations for creating post-modern works of art. The event had the support of the Malaysian Government and was managed by an NGO, The Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia. The Malaysian host did their best with regards to hopitality, so Mr. foreign speaker from the not-so-far-away-land here was given his plane ticket, greeted at the airport, checked into a cosy room at the Traders hotel with a magnificient view of the Petronas twin towers, attended to by a dedicated liason personnel at my beck and call and stuffed myself silly with sushi and sashimi buffet every night. Burrp!

It was not all fun. The proceedings was a serious affair when speakers after speakers from Malaysia and abroad spoke about batik from diverse perspective ranging from art, business, culture, antiquity, history, fashion, intellectual property, even branding and my personal favourite - eco friendly natural dying alternatives. My presentation talks about batik practices in Singapore where there is no more mass production but mostly as an artistic medium and the practices of the few batik artists in Singapore.

While I was attending conference, it saddened me to receive SMSes that Mr. Jaafar Latif, a batik master in Singapore passed away on Thursday 29th November. I could not attend his funeral, so I revised my slide to mention his contribution to the art of batik and showed the audience his batik-painting commission at the Orchard Road MRT.

Edric Ong, Prof. Najib, Achmad Sopandi, Baba Wee and myself

There were also an exhibition area open to the public where there were many booths presenting batik products and innovations. I am most delighted to see a good number of Indonesian booths in this Malaysian event. This is a positive development as there once existed a protection policy on batik import between the two countries. I befriended the Indonesian trade officer and he said it was initially a concern, but upon checking he confirms that there is no barier for importation of Indonesian batik in Malaysia (I’m an artist so the details of this trade matter is better left to the traders and the government). Later, I also met a Malaysian batik maker who plans on sourcing for sewing subcontractor in Indonesia. This is a healthy development as batik of the Malay world can be jointly promoted while each retaining and developing their own style and brand of batik.

Natural dyed batik by Edric Ong

On the final day, we were ushered to the front row of the runway for the ‘The Piala Sri Endon’ competition final. It is a coveted title for Malaysian batik practitioners and a grand event officiated by her majesty the queen of Malaysia. It was fierce competition for the trophy and RM$30,000 prize. The quality of work by the finalists is breathtakingly amazing.

I was also made a member of the World Batik Council. Looks like promoting batik has taken a serious turn for me. During this time, I have been exposed to so many cultures and techniques of batik. Made many wonderful friends and contacts from around the world.

Piala Seri Endon winner and finalists for the batik fashion category

Batik painting course at Nafa: Third class for 2007

My current group of students learning batik painting at Nafa are six pretty ladies. Which is a natural phenomenon because traditionally batiking is a ladylike skill. During ancient times, a Javanese woman prides herself for being able to produce beautiful batik for herself and the family. However, don’t be discouraged if you are a man, there is really no gender or racial limitation to this technique, just practical preferences. Like cooking, most great chefs are men whilst women does it everyday.

This part-time art enrichment course runs over 8 evening sessions which will conclude on 26th December. It covers basic to intermediate skills in batik painting techniques. If you are keen to sign up for the programme, please enquire with Nafa’s continuing education department or call 6512 4214 / 6512 4216.

Sign up early for the new class which begins on 30th January 2008.

Blangah Rise Primary: Batik painting workshop

This week also saw the completion of another 10-week programme for batik painting. The Primary 4 students of Blangah Rise Primary underwent our basic batik painting programme successfully. Based on our past year experiences, we made some modifications to our batik painting pedagogy for primary school children. With the objective of making it safe, exciting and fun. I thank Mr. Rudy Djoharnaen and Ms. Syahira for assisting me here.

We taught 120 students here and together with Bukit Panjang Primary, the team had to deal with almost 600 students weekly on top of all the other short programmes at other schools. Woooohooo! We’re done and I’m off to the NCN convention in Reno, Nevada, USA.

Advanced Batik workshop for Bukit Panjang Primary School

We have just completed a massive 10-week programme at Bukit Panjang Primary School. That is an accomplishment considering that it is a big school with 11 classes for the P5 level alone (460 students). It is a follow-up from the basic batik painting programme we did last year with the same group of students now aged 11 years old. This time around they were introduced to tie-and-dye on top of the more advanced batiking skills such as layering and pre-painting. I am happy that it went well thanks to my two dedicated associates Mr Kelvin Tan and Dino Hafian.

Australian International School Batik Workshop

Adding an interesting dimension to Indonesian studies at the Australian International School. Experiencing the Indonesian culture through her arts is definitely not the boring classroom stuff… ay!

International Summer Camp at Nan Hua High School

Students from all over the world attending the Nan Hua High School’s International Summer Camp had a lesson on the history and practice of batik making. Following that, a hands-on experience in batik painting which they brought back to their homeland as a souvenir of their wonderful experience in Singapore.

Second Batik Painting Class at Nafa’s Continuing Education Dept.

Surprisingly, this time all my students are older than me except for one who is slightly younger. I discovered to my delight that mature students have better appreciation of batik and could engage in lively discussions during the theory sessions.

N7 Mother Tongue Support Group: Cultural Day

Cultural experience through batik crafts, plus understanding its relevance in the region and within a multi-cultural Singapore. This is the second year we were invited to run this programme.

Fuchun Primary School: Post Examination Batik Painting

Introduction to batik painting as post-examination activity for primary five students.