Travelling in the world of political-art.

In the month of Sep 2007, Lost gen hosted two artists who are veteran travellers, they go around in a most uncoventional way, on bicycles (some are twice as heavy and taller than they are) spreading their political messages (No oil), joy and love.

Rocio and Peiro are part of the cyclown circus.Details are here. When arriving in a new town or city, they do shows to make enough money to travel to their next destination. One can imagine the adventures, different cultures and experience that they have chalked up. Having witnessed their shows that they did in July with other members of the group, I can surely say that it is a rare and enjoyable treat. Juggling, acrobatics, music, tightrope walking and magic tricks are part of their repertoire – and shows are written and rehearsed for different locations, sometimes incoporating storielines. (One show they did in KL poked fun at the seriousness and high security Singaporean Immigration).

Over a couple of dinners, outside of the house, near our organic garden we found out that the Clowns are serious about what they do. They see their work as political action. While being funny and entertaining, they also hope to contribute to lasting change in society and the world at large. As Rocio was especially interested in Kampung Berembang, (The community that has been living there for years has had their houses demolished to make way for development, the families are now living in makeshift tents while continuing their struggle to stay put in the area.) Yeoh brought Piero and Rocio there, where they performed to an enthusiastic audience.

They also discussed their preferred mode of transportation and means of travelling- by bicycle. While insisiting that it is indeed not at all difficult to travel 4000 km round the world by bicycle, and with little funds, their beliefe, hope and enthusiasm caught on to all of us sitting at the table. Petrol wars were discussed, as well as the detrimental effect that most KLites, (one person per car, stuck in long traffic jams) were causing to the environment, not to mention innocent causualties of oil wars. They believe that the bicycle was the most convinient way to navigate, healthy, oil free and traffic jam free. Despite our initial protests of the weather, traffic and roads, they soon persuaded us by showing us a cyclown who had cycled through the Mongolian desert on his own. Rocio and Piero also joined forces with Poodien, Rat and others in the beginning sessions of the Critical Mass in KL, the 2nd one held here. The Critical Mass is a global gathering of people who use bicycles as a mode of transport, who together on the day of the CM, to take over the streets. This serves to spread awareness about their preferred mode of transport, as well as a statement against roads being only for cars.

While we were musing and enjoying the Pasta cooked by Piero, Yeoh and Tsuji came up with the idea of organizing a talk and idea exchange session facilitated by our good guests. The date was set for the 22nd, the day of the 2nd Critical Mass. It was a lovely evening, where Piero and Rocio shared with us their pictures and realities of experience in the places they visited. A discussion was later sparked off with some questions as to what can be done to encourage community participation in KL. Apparently the turn out at the Critical Mass were less than great. Some people offered their opinions as to why Malaysians are Apathetic. Large middle class demographic, Culturally conditioned not to offend, Educational system, the realities of having to work for survival and Malaysia being a young nation were amongst some of them. Interestingly, I note that in several discussions that I’ve been too, an attitude of ‘we or I can’t do this because…..0f (them/ situation) always arises. Perhaps it has something to do with our self esteem as a Nation. That being said however, there were several people who were engaged in helping their communities, by holding a free drum circle, or by teaching neighborhood kids bottle biology. It was heartening to see discussion flowly freely, where ideas and suggestions were planted.

Rocio and Piero are now in Singapore as of today, and are heading with the other cyclowns to Indonesia, where they plan to travel and do more shows. You can find their email address in the link above.

~ by lostgenspace on October 2, 2007.