Overview
Kampong
is a Malay word which is often used to describe
a particular era or a particular lifestyle. Rumah kampong
or a perkampongan often describes the culture of the Malays
or a Malay family as a traditional society that functions through
close-knit family ties, values and traditions.
Kampong
feel would often mean the physical image of a traditional
rural and rustic environment. Coconut trees and free-roaming
chickens are some of the more popular image icons when one
is imagining the Malays’ traditional past.
Another common reference to the term kampong is usually that
of a living environment or a physical set of architecture that sees
the use of wood, leaves and stone as building materials in a setting
that consists of lush greenery, agriculture, domestic fowls or
nearby coastal areas.
Since a society does not stand alone with one family or individual,
traditionally, a perkampongan would mean that there would be
a cluster of houses ruled by a headman. Thus the word kampong
is also often used to describe a group of families, or to describe
the act of gathering people or even physical items.
Orang kampong is often thought to be someone who is outmoded,
out of town, yet crafty and skilful, patient and humble, simple and practical,
traditionally dressed, religious, dark skinned with rough working hands,
has a big family, live by superstitions, skilful in silat or traditional
musical
instruments, able to cook tasty meals for big crowds, creative with natural
materials, likes to work in groups, finds initiative, and functions as
if time
was 12 hours late, carefree and contented.
Hearing the word kampong, one would easily imagine strongly traditions
and
things traditional, the past and the serene, as well as a peaceful way
of life.
The aim of this exhibition is to challenge the APAD artists to relive
the
nostalgic experiences and / or reinterpret the ideologies, principles
or
concept of kampong. Artists are to establish ideas from history, geography,
social, education, economy, religion, culture, art, literature and poetry
in regard to their individual genre of professional art practice.
Ezzam Rahman
Sazali Rahmat
Curators