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3 YEARS OF SUSTAINING THE ARTS & SCIENCES FOR SOCIETY Activities organised by MGTF reflect it’s transformative drive and rejuvenation of it’s direction, especially in underlining new spaces for exploration, empowering sustainability and shifting from defunct paradigm (Saidon: 2010) The curatorial paradigm and development of activities by MGTF employ the following principles: i. Portability ii. Client-centered iii. Defined by visitors iv. Modular & adaptive v. Choice vi. Inter-dependent and inter-connected vii. Contextual viii. Non-linear, repetition and cyclical ix. Interactive x. Divergent xi. Flexible xii. Convergent xiii. Trans-discipline These principles were embedded intrinsically in the Malaysian and South East Asian trans-cultural and trans-disciplinary heritage. They have been adapted into various forms of Islamic art manifestations (see Faruqi: 1992 and Sulaiman Esa: 1993). In fact, similar principles can be traced in the application of multimedia technology (Cotton: 1993 and Baker: 1993). The application of these principles in curatorial contexts has been discussed in the “Takung” and “Timeline” exhibition catalogues, organised by the National Art Gallery of Malaysia (Saidon: 2004 and 2008). The principles and their application have been used as the foundation for a shift of consciousness in exhibition practice at MGTF USM. Other than the principles mentioned above, MGTF curatorial paradigm has taken into account several 9
new findings from research on human brain and multiple intelligences theory in teaching and learning across the cognitive, affective and psychomotor dimensions (Abdullah: 2009, Buzan: 1993). It is also parallel to the ‘University in a Garden’ concept as championed by USM, especially in synergising the symbiosis of the arts and sciences (Razak: 2007). Smart Art & Science Carnival is a part of MGTF’s “Creative Link” series. “Creative Link” is a series of outreach programmes for visitors and communities that offer interactive, exciting, fun and entertaining forms of scientific knowledge enrichment as well as heritage and cultural appreciation. “Creative Link” is packaged under various modular activities which include: • Astronomy, • MyBatik, • Smart Art & Science Camp, • Art & Science Exhibition, • Young Curators Creative Workshop, • Traditional Games, • Mind Teasers & Games, and • Museum Into Community (Village, School, Shopping Complex, Hotel, Mosque, Night Market, Sunday Market, etc). “Creative Link” has allowed Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) to reach out to many different communities by networking and working together with various schools, other universities and private institutions of higher learning, private galleries, government agencies and non-governmental organisations, as well as individuals, groups and associations. Since its inception in 2006, “Creative Link” has reached out to: 1.Penang Kampung Seronok Bayan Lepas, Sekolah Kebangsaan and Masjid Pulau Betong in Balik 10
Pulau, Little Penang Street Market in George Town and Bayan Baru, Bumbung Lima in Seberang Prai Utara, Queensbay Mall, Equatorial Hotel Bukit Jambul, Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel, Safira Club in Seberang Jaya, Dewan Sri Pinang George Town, MRSM Balik Pulau, MRSM Kepala Batas, Petrosains Playsmart in Seberang Jaya, Dewan Millenium in Kepala Batas, Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita in Penang (I-Kit project for single mother) and Pusat Falak Syeikh Tahir in Pantai Acheh. 2.Kedah MRSM Langkawi, SMK Dato’ Lela Pahlawan in Padang Serai, Galeri Perdana, LADA & Dataran Helang in Langkawi, Petronas Playsmart in Langkawi, Persatuan Bela Didik Anak Yatim Islam (BEDAYA) in Kulim and Masjid Padang Serai Kedah. 3.Perak Yayasan Kesenian Perak in Ipoh, Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Perak in Ipoh SRK Sultan Abdul Aziz, Masjid Kampung Selabak and SMK Hutan Melintang in Teluk Intan. 4.Melaka Melaka Parade. 5.Terengganu Muzium Negeri Terengganu. 6.Sarawak Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Rumah Anak Yatim PEYAKIN & YAKIN in Semeriang, Kuching. Amongst the objectives of “Creative Link” include: • To bring MGTF to its audience, especially in reaching out to non-conventional audience and premises (‘blue ocean strategy’). • To build network and partnerships with various communities, public and private sectors. • To engage and instill interest amongst young people
and the public at large in the arts and sciences through a more organic, interactive, inclusive, participative, fun and enjoyable learning experience. • To shift negative mindset and perception towards museum and encourage young people and family to visit museum as an audience-friendly and holistic learning center for all. • To cultivate positive intangible values (heritage) such as love, respect, tolerance, sharing, team-work, innovation and creativity through activities that require a convergence of both the arts and sciences, left and right brain and the idea of sustainable human development. • To include vibrant, dynamic and fresh voices of the participating young people as a form of contemporary creative intervention and enrichment of MGTF’s existing object interpretations and narratives, thus avoiding MGTF’s objects or artifacts from becoming dead, frozen, static, irrelevant and overinstitutionalised by fixed narratives. • To introduce and engage MGTF’s staff with transdisciplinary, inter-textual, non-linear, open-ended and audience-centered approaches in engaging MGTF’s audience with its exhibits and contents. • To undertake research on various aspects of museum and gallery management especially on audience’s profile, behavioral pattern, perception, taste and preferences, audience/public development programmes, brand awareness and marketing/promotional development, exhibition and curatorial design. “Creative Link” encompasses the following methodologies and activities: • Art & Science Exhibition (with emphasis on local and regional heritage as well as interactive curatorial approach) • Art & Science Workshop (which includes Icebreaking and Team Building Games, Sun, Moon and Star Gazing, How to Read the Sky - Star Chart, Sun as the source of colours (Making
Spectrohelioscope), Playing with colours (Tie & Dye Batik), Painting the sky (Janting Batik), Playing with energy (Making and Launching Water Rockets), Playing with Light (Laser Show, Open Cinema), Screening of science-fiction films, Mind Teasers and Games, Traditional Games, Reading Corner, Friendly Soccer, Interfaces (Knowing each other through Portrait Drawing). Data collecting for audience research purposes was also executed during the running of “Creative Link”, programme, mainly consisted of: • Open interviews, • Questionnaires (distribution of survey and questionnaire forms) and Video recording (of behavioral and response patterns), • Evaluation forms, • Yellow pads visitors’ comments. Most of our “Creative Link” participants including teachers agreed that the approaches used in running the learning activities have managed to instill interest in learning more about the arts and sciences. Most of the teachers and parents agreed that the activities can be used to further cultivate positive intangible values (heritage) such as love, respect, tolerance, sharing, team-work, innovation and creativity in an informal way. One of our collaborators, SRK Sultan Abdul Aziz, Teluk Intan had organised a learning trip to MGTF after knowing about it through this project. Several families had also visited MGTF. Other schools and mosques around Teluk Intan (one of the venues of this programme) had also requested MGTF to run similar project in their premises. Jabatan Pelajaran Hilir Perak and Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Pulau Pinang had organised a Science and Technology Carnival at the SMK Hutan Melintang and SMK Gemilang, Telok Air Tawar based on several approaches used in this project. In a way, the project has managed to shift negative mindset and perception towards museum and 11
encourage young people and family to visit museum as an audience-friendly and holistic learning center for all. Data collected through various methods has assisted MGTF in learning more about its audience. Simultaneously, MGTF’s staff members were also able to apply trans-disciplinary, inter-textual, non-linear, open-ended and audience-centered approaches in engaging with their audience. Results of the research have been presented and published in two seminars (Asian Curators’ Forum, Kuala Lumpur and Seminar Seni & Budaya, UMS, Sabah). Several findings have been used as a basis in designing MGTF’s brand development strategy, as well as exhibition and curatorial approach that focuses on young audience. The project has also allowed MGTF to further expand its networking and partnership scope. Even though it was initially initiated as an outreach effort, “Creative Link” has allowed MGTF to not only develope and improve its own audience development programmes, it has also allowed MGTF to further facilitate proactive networking and partnership with various communities as well as public and private sectors. In addition, the project also has functioned as a fertile ground to do research on audience, branding, marketing, exhibition and curatorial design. With its multifold roles, “Creative Link” will hopefully be further improved and sustained through continuous support of potential supporters, sponsors and donours. Hasnul J Saidon 2009
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References: 1. Abdullah, Salhah (2009), Kecerdasan Pelbagai – Aplikasi Dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran, Kuala Lumpur: PTS Professional Publishing. 2. Baker, Robin (1993), Designing the Future – The Computer Transformation of Reality, London : Thames & Hudson. 3. Buzan, Tony (1993), The Mind Map Book, London : BBC Books. 4. Cotton, Bob (1993), Understanding Hypermedia – From Multmedia to Virtual Reality, London : Thames & Hudson 5. Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, “Menyegarkan Semula Pusaka Seni dan Sains di USM” dalam Buku Cenderamata Majlis Pemasyhuran Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM, Pulau Pinang, 2007. 6. Faruqi, Ismail R dan Louis Lamya (1992), Atlas Budaya Islam, Kuala Lumpur : Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka. 7. Hasnul J Saidon, “Sustaining Relevancy” in 1MCAT (1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism) : Sparkles in Penang, Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Penang, 2010. 8. Hasnul J Saidon, “Under-deconstruction : Contemporary Art Practice in Malaysia After 1990” in Timeline, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 2008. 9. Hasnul J Saidon, “Stirring Takung” in Takung, National Art Gallery & Yayasan Kesenian Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 2004. 10. Sulaiman Esa, “The Reflowering of the Islamic Spirit in The Contemporary Malaysian Art” in Menifestasi Jiwa Islam Dalam Senirupa Malaysia Sezaman, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 1993.
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3 TAHUN MELESTARIKAN SAINS & SENI UNTUK MASYARAKAT Aktiviti yang dianjurkan oleh MGTF USM mencerminkan usaha transformatif dan penyegaransemula halatujunya, terutama sekali dalam menggariskan ruang-ruang penerokaan baru, memperkasakan kelestarian dan berganjak dari paradigma lama yang sudah lesu (Saidon:2010). Paradigma kuratorial dan pembangunan aktiviti MGTF menggunakan prinsip-prinsip berikut : i. Mudah-alih ii. Berpusatkan –pelanggan iii. Ditakrifkan oleh pengunjung iv. Modular dan adaptif v. Berpilihan vi. Saling-bergantungan dan saling-berkait vii. Kontekstual viii. Tidak berurutan, pengulangan dan kitaran ix. Interaktif x. Percambahan xi. Keanjalan xii. Penyatuan xiii. Rentas-disiplin Prinsip-prinsip ini sebenarnya sudah lama tertanam secara intrinsik dalam warisan rentas-disiplin dan rentas-budaya Malaysia dan Asia Tenggara. Prinsipprinsip ini juga telah diadaptasi dalam pelbagai bentuk penzahiran seni Islam (lihat Faruqi:1992 dan Sulaiman Esa:1993). Malah, prinsip-prinsip yang sama boleh dikesan dalam aplikasi teknologi multimedia (Cotton:1993 dan Baker:1993). Aplikasi prinsip-prinsip ini dalam konteks kuratorial telah diulas dalam katalog pameran “Takung” dan “Susurmasa” anjuran Balai Seni Lukis Negara (Saidon:2004 dan 2008). Prinsip-prinsip ini dan aplikasinya telah dijadikan asas untuk anjakan kesedaran dalam amalan berpameran di MGTF USM.
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Selain dari prinsip-prinsip di atas, paradigma kuratorial MGTF juga mengambil kira beberapa dapatan baru dari penyelidikan tentang otak manusia dan teori kecerdasan pelbagai dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang merentasi dimensi kognitif, afektif dan psikomotor (Abdullah:2009, Buzan:1993). Ia juga selari dengan konsep ‘Universiti Dalam Taman’ yang dibudayakan oleh USM, terutama dalam melestarikan simbiosis sains dan seni (Razak:2007). Karnival Bestari Sains & Seni merupakan sebahagian daripada siri Titian Kreatif. Aktiviti-aktiviti pembangunan pengunjung dan masyarakat di MGTF dijenamakan sebagai “TItian Kreatif”. Ia menawarkan pengalaman memperkaya ilmu pengetahuan sains dan penghayatan seni-budaya serta warisan dalam bentuk yang interaktif, menarik, menyeronok dan menghiburkan. Titian Kreatif juga menyediakan beberapa pakej bengkel dan kursus pendek dalam pelbagai bidang seni seperti: • • • • • • • •
Astronomi MyBatik Kem Bestari Sains & Seni Pameran Sains & Seni Bengkel Kreatif Kurator Muda Permainan Tradisional Permainan Minda dan Muzium Dalam Masyarakat (Kampung, Sekolah, Kompleks Membeli Belah, Hotel, Masjid, Pasar Malam, Pasar Minggu dan lain-lain lagi).
Titian Kreatif telah membolehkan Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) menjangkau komuniti yang berbeza menerusi rangkaian dan kerjasama daripada pelbagai pihak seperti sekolah, universiti dan institusi pengajian tinggi swasta, galeri-galeri swasta, agensi kerajaan, organisasi bukan kerajaan serta individu, kumpulan dan persatuan.
Sejak diperkenalkan pada 2006, Titian Kreatif telah menganjurkan beberapa program seperti di: 1. Pulau Pinang Kampung Seronok Bayan Lepas, Sekolah Kebangsaan dan Masjid Pulau Betong di Balik Pulau, Little Penang Market Street di George Town dan Bayan Baru, Bumbung Lima di Seberang Prai Utara, Queensbay Mall, Hotel Equatorial Bukit Jambul, Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel, Safira Club di Seberang Jaya, Dewan Sri Pinang George Town, MRSM Balik Pulau, MRSM Kepala Batas, Petrosains Playsmart di Seberang Jaya, Dewan Millenium di Kepala Batas, Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita di Pulau Pinang (Projek I-Kit untuk ibu tunggal) dan Pusat Falak Syeikh Tahir di Pantai Acheh. 2. Kedah MRSM Langkawi, SMK Dato’ Lela Pahlawan di Padang Serai, Galeri Perdana, LADA & Dataran Helang di Langkawi, Petronas Playsmart Langkawi, Persatuan Belia Didik Anak Yatim Islam (BEDAYA) di Kulim dan Masjid Padang Serai Kedah. 3. Perak Yayasan Seni Perak di Ipoh, Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Negeri Perak di Ipoh, SRK Sultan Abdul Aziz, Masjid Kampung Selabak dan SMK Hutan Melintang di Teluk Intan. 4. Melaka Melaka Parade. 5. Terengganu Muzium Negeri Terengganu. 6. Sarawak Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) dan
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Rumah Anak Yatim PEYAKIN & YAKIN di Semeriang, Kuching. Antara objektif Titian Kreatif termasuklah: • Membawa MGTF kepada masyarakat umum dan komuniti khususnya dalam menjangkau penonton dan premis tidak konvensional (strategi lautan biru). • Membina rangkaian dan perkongsian/rakan kolaborasi dengan komuniti, masyarakat umum dan sektor swasta. • Memberi pendedahan dan menarik minat terutamanya golongan muda dan masyarakat umum tentang ilmu pengetahuan sains dan seni budaya menerusi pengalaman belajar yang organik, interaktif, menarik, menyeronok dan menghiburkan. • Mengubah tanggapan dan persepsi negatif umum tentang muzium dan memberi dorongan kepada golongan muda dan ahli keluarga untuk melawat muzium sebagai pusat pembelajaran yang santai, mesra pengunjung dan holistik. • Memupuk nilai-nilai positif seperti sayang menyayangi, saling menghormati, bertolak ansur, berkongsi, kerjasama, inovasi dan kreativiti melalui aktiviti yang memerlukan tumpuan dari kedua-dua bidang ilmu seni dan sains, otak kiri dan kanan serta idea tentang pembangunan manusia. • Untuk menjana suara golongan muda yang segar, yang lestari, dinamik dan ceria sebagai bentuk intervensi kontemporari kreatif dan tafsiran baru objek koleksi MGTF. Ini dapat mengelakkan objek atau artifak koleksi MGTF dari menjadi mati, beku, statik dan tidak relevan. • Memperkenal dan memberi pendedahan kepada staf MGTF kepada pendekatan transdisiplin, inter-tekstual, tidak linear, terbuka dan berpusatkan pelawat. • Menjalankan penyelidikan dalam beberapa aspek
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tentang pengurusan muzium dan galeri terutamanya dari segi profil pengunjung, selera pengunjung, persepsi, rasa dan keutamaan pengunjung, program pembangunan masyarakat umum, kesedaran jenama, pemasaran dan pembangunan promosi, pameran serta rekabentuk kuratorial. ”Titian Kreatif” meliputi metodologi dan aktiviti seperti berikut: • Pameran Sains & Seni (dengan penekanan kepada warisan budaya tempatan dan serantau serta pendekatan kuratorial interaktif) • Bengkel Sains & Seni yang merangkumi Permainan Bina Kumpulan, Pencerapan Matahari, Bulan dan Bintang, kaedah membaca langit melalui penggunaaan carta bintang, Matahari sebagai Sumber Kepada Pelbagai Warna (pembuatan spektrohelioskop), Bermain Dengan Warna (Batik ikat & celup), Mewarna Langit (Batik Canting), Bermain Dengan Tenaga (Pembuatan dan pelancaran roket air), Bermain Dengan Cahaya (Persembahan Laser), Wayang Pacak (penayangan filem sains fiksyen), Permainan Minda, Permainan Tradisional, Sudut Bacaan, Perlawanan Persahabatan Bolasepak, Antaramuka (mengenal satu sama lain melalui lukisan Potret). Pengumpulan data untuk penyelidikan pengunjung juga dilaksanakan sepanjang program Titian Kreatif dijalankan, yang terdiri dari: • Temuramah terbuka. • Soal selidik - edaran borang kaji selidik dan rakaman video (pola perilaku dan respon). -Borang penilaian. -Komen pengunjung di atas kertas kuning. Sebahagian besar peserta Titian Kreatif termasuk guru bersetuju bahawa pendedahan yang digunakan dalam menjalankan aktiviti pembelajaran tersebut
telah berjaya menarik minat pelajar untuk mempelajari ilmu seni dan sains. Kebanyakan guru dan ibubapa bersetuju bahawa aktiviti tersebut dapat digunakan dalam menanamkan nilai-nilai positif (warisan) seperti kasih sayang, hormat, toleransi, berkongsi, kerjasama, inovasi dan kreativiti secara tidak formal. Salah satu rakan kolaborasi MGTF, SRK Sultan Abdul Aziz Teluk Intan telah menganjurkan satu lawatan ilmiah ke MGTF. Sebilangan keluarga juga telah berkunjung ke MGTF. Sekolah dan masjid berhampiran Teluk Intan (salah satu lokasi program) juga telah meminta MGTF untuk menjalankan projek yang serupa di premis mereka. Jabatan Pelajaran Hilir Perak telah menganjurkan Karnival Sains dan Teknologi di SMK Hutan Melintang berdasarkan dari beberapa pendekatan yang digunakan di dalam projek ini. Dari satu sudut, projek ini telah berjaya mengubah tanggapan dan persepsi negatif mengenai muzium dan mendorong golongan muda dan keluarga untuk melawat muzium sebagai pusat pembelajaran yang santai, mesra pengunjung dan holistik untuk semua. Data yang telah dikumpul melalui pelbagai kaedah telah membantu MGTF dalam mengenali pengunjungnya secara lebih mendalam lagi. Sehubungan dengan itu, staf MGTF juga dapat melaksanakan pendekatan transdisiplin, inter-tekstual, tidak linear, terbuka dan berpusatkan pelawat dalam berurusan dengan pengunjung. Hasil dari penyelidikan tersebut telah pun dipersembah dan diterbitkan dalam 2 seminar (Asian Curators Forum, Kuala Lumpur dan Seminar Seni & Budaya, UMS, Sabah). Beberapa penemuan telah digunakan sebagai asas dalam strategi pembangunan jenama MGTF dan pendekatan pameran serta kuratorial yang memfokuskan kepada pengunjung muda/remaja. Projek ini telah membolehkan MGTF memperluaskan rangkaian dan skop rakan kolaborasi. Walaupun ia hanyalah satu usaha program luar, Titian Kreatif tidak hanya mengembangkan dan meningkatkan program pembangunan pengunjung, malah ia juga membolehkan MGTF memperluaskan rangkaian proaktif dan rakan kolaborasi dengan pelbagai komuniti, masyarakat umum dan sektor swasta. Tambahan pula, ia juga berfungsi sebagai landasan untuk melakukan kajian tentang pengunjung, jenama, pengurusan, pameran dan rekaan kuratorial. Dengan peranan yang pelbagai, Titian Kreatif diharapkan dapat ditingkat dan dilestarikan lagi melalui sokongan dari penyokong tetap, penaja dan penderma secara berterusan. Hasnul J Saidon 2009
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Rujukan: 1. Abdullah, Salhah (2009), Kecerdasan Pelbagai – Aplikasi Dalam Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran, Kuala Lumpur: PTS Professional Publishing. 2. Baker, Robin (1993), Designing the Future – The Computer Transformation of Reality, London : Thames & Hudson. 3. Buzan, Tony (1993), The Mind Map Book, London : BBC Books. 4. Cotton, Bob (1993), Understanding Hypermedia – From Multmedia to Virtual Reality, London : Thames & Hudson 5. Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, “Menyegarkan Semula Pusaka Seni dan Sains di USM” dalam Buku Cenderamata Majlis Pemasyhuran Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM, Pulau Pinang, 2007. 6. Faruqi, Ismail R dan Louis Lamya (1992), Atlas Budaya Islam, Kuala Lumpur : Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka. 7. Hasnul J Saidon, “Sustaining Relevancy” in 1MCAT (1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism) : Sparkles in Penang, Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Penang, 2010. 8. Hasnul J Saidon, “Under-deconstruction : Contemporary Art Practice in Malaysia After 1990” in Timeline, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 2008. 9. Hasnul J Saidon, “Stirring Takung” in Takung, National Art Gallery & Yayasan Kesenian Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 2004. 10. Sulaiman Esa, “The Reflowering of the Islamic Spirit in The Contemporary Malaysian Art” in Menifestasi Jiwa Islam Dalam Senirupa Malaysia Sezaman, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 1993.
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