taken from valleyofhope.blogspot.com

“I Love Valley of Hope” Carnival on 8-9 December 2007 – PRESS STATEMENT

background

SEVENTY-seven years ago, in an isolated valley of Bukit Lagong, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, a group of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Eurasians set up a contained community. They lived in harmony and interdependently of each other.

They were leprosy patients, sent to live in the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement, where they found hope and
dignity. It was a heaven that allowed them to re-define themselves as human beings and enabled them to make friends and sustain friendships, express their feelings, form families and be individuals who contributed to their own community.

From the time it was built in 1930, Sungai Buloh was one of the biggest leprosy settlements in the-then British Empire, and the second biggest in the world. It was equipped with advanced facilities and planned following the principals of a garden city. It was a pioneer project based on the “enlightened policy” of segregating leprosy patients in a self-supporting community. Over the years, the settlement also became a research centre for leprosy.

Since its establishment, the settlement has been relatively undisturbed due to the public’s fear of, and the stigma attached to leprosy.

Recently, the government announced plans to preserve part of the settlement as a national heritage. But 40 acres (16.19ha) of the settlement has been surrendered to the government, to make way for the medical faculty of the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

The project has threatened to destroy Sungai Buloh’s authenticity and wholeness as one of the most perfectly planned and impressive leprosarium models in modern history. It will also erase evidence of the country’s contribution to the history of humankind.

Preserve the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement

The Sungai Buloh leprosy settlement has marked a very significant stage in Malaysian history in relation to medicine, planning, architecture and social cultural aspects.

The rediscovery of this historical place is one of the most exciting milestones in our modern heritage and preservation. It is like a modern ‘ancient site’ that awaits people to uncover and interpret on how an isolated world had been planned, structured and functioned to self-sustain a group of humans, being socially, culturally and economically separated from society.

There are significant values of Sg Buloh Settlement as described below meets all the criteria of the National Heritage Act 2005, Part X, Section 67(2), Items (a)-(i) which entitles it to be preserved under the National Heritage Act 2005. They are:
1. The legacy of Garden City Planning
2. Pioneer of Self-Supporting prophylaxis Settlement
3. Legacy of multi-racial living environment
4. Exceptional example of modern sub-culture
5. Renowned famous leprosy research center
6. Rare example of a group of colonial buildings

Who are we “Save Valley of Hope Solidarity Group”?

When the East part of the leprosy settlement was demolished, it was only a matter of time before their legacy is lost forever. Afraid that this might happen, we formed a group and called it, “Save Valley of Hope”. The research, documentation, shooting and program organization began to enliven this leprosy settlement. Our group members include lecturers, social workers, university and college students.

The solidarity group’s effort is only in its initial phase considering our government had not realized the importance of preserving this potential World Heritage. The members of the group are volunteers and goes through an ongoing expansion.

“I Love Valley of Hope” Carnival Coming Soon!!!

Refer to the above matter, we, Save Valley of Hope Solidarity Group, together initiated by Sg.Buloh Settlement Council, will organize a carnival for the public titled , “I Love Valley of Hope” Carnival, on 8-9 December 2007, in collaboration with the World Human Rights Day.

Our objective is to preserve Sg Buloh Settlement as a heritage for mankind. This 2 days carnival is expected to attract 300 people including children and adults.

Through this carnival, we believe we can:
- Firmly acknowledge the immortality right of living of the lepers patients in Sg Buloh Leprosy Settlement.
- Introduce the Valley of Hope, educate and create awareness among the public regarding the importance of preserving heritage.
- Assemble the support and strength of all groups, in collaboration of saving and preserving the Sg Buloh Leprosy Settlement as National Heritage.

Following are the details of the carnival

Initiated by: Sungai.Buloh Settlement Council
Organiser: Save Valley of Hope Solidarity Group
Co-organiser: Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Youth, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and Lost Generation Space
Supportive Media: Photo Creator Magazine

Title: “I Love Valley of Hope” Carnival
Date: 8 – 9 December 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 8 Dec (10am)- 9 Dec (3pm)
Venue: Dewan Orang Ramai, Sg.Buloh Leprosy Settlement
Programme:

Background

Lastly, Valley of Hope Solidarity Group hope that the public will join us together in the carnival. In the mean time, we also hope to have sponsorship from the public on running this programme.

Any donation or sponsorship, please bank in to KL& Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section. Please state

“Donate/Sponsor to I Love Valley of Hope Carnival” on the receipt and send it to 03-22724089.

Bank: Public Bank Berhad
Account’s name: The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Account’s number: 3077138310

For further details and enquiry, contact Ms Chua 012-7355025 or Ms Choong 019-3503563 and also visit our website:

http://valleyofhope.blogspot.com/

Posted by 旨祥 at 11:03 AM 1 comments  

Labels: Press statement

Video Battle!

Wok the Rock presented VideoBattle! 70 video works from Indonesia and Beyond at LostGen on the 28th of Oct 2007. It was drizzling, so we put out the bbq in the newly converted garage space into lepak area- the menu was fresh fish bbq to perfection, with crispy skin and moist flesh, lovingly marinated mushrooms and good for you tou foo..too bad if you missed out.

Although the turn out wasn’t as good as we would have liked, a nice bunch of people came, and it was cozy. Why? because the video screening was intimate and homely, with the atmosphere of friends chilling out on a sunday night, enjoying food and videos. Which is what is was, as Wok the Rock explained, screenings in Yojakarta were often like this, friendly with people lying down on the carpet and sitting around on beanbags- beats the formal projection on the big screen…

Wok made his way around, chatting with people, and explaining some Indonesian terms, and speaking about the videos submitted- a couple of hilarious performance art videos from a performance artist in China (Staged accidental deaths, and flipping in and out of bed- bodies contorted strangely) A video sent in by a by day accountant, weird and wonderful grind music videos, animation by Eko Nugroho who was recently here for his exhibition, and other bits. Other bits included a Nico video, flies copulating, time lapses, and candid videos. Quite ecletic and fun.

The guitar also made its rounds, to the sounds of the Velvet underground, which has been floating in the air ways these couple of days at Lost Gen….

We have more things lined up in November, so come along, bring your friends, till the next update, ta!

The Bone People – Keri Hulme

 

This is one of the most vivid books I have read in a long time. Written in style that combines both poetry and the profane, it is a story that is rich in Maori mythology and magic, of alienation and the inward looking journey to discover the self, difficult relationships, and ultimately healing.

Kerewin is an artist, poet and musician, estranged from her family and the world at large, she seeks solace in drink, and strength in solitude and self sufficiency. Also, she lives in a Tower by the sea : ) She one day meets a young boy, mute, with a buried past and his Maori stepfather. She is at first unwilling to open herself up, but is slowly drawn into a strange relationship with them both. Adventures and individual journeys begin for each of them.

First published by a feminist collective in NZ, the Spiral Collective, it was later published by Penguin. It was also awarded the 1985 Booker Prize. The narrative is lucid, and Kerewin is an unusual but awe inspiring heroine. I loved it, and devoured the story hungrily.. recommended!

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.

Residency at Lost Gen – Sun Kung Jye

Sun Kung Jye – aka Kenji, participated in a residency program at Lost Gen in 2006. This prolific artist is a sculptor as well as a musician. His wooden heads contain details such as other faces morphing into the main head etc, and are worked on painstakingly. I once asked him where he got his wood. Apparently, he looks for the logs himself.  He recently exhibited at the Not  that Balai Arts Festival .

Rantai Art Event

Rantai is a collective that organizes funs things in and out of KL. Last year at Lost gen they organized a showcase and gathering that mashed up poetry, music, the visual arts, photography, graphic arts and other mediums. You can find out more here.

Art Camp for Kiddies – 2005

Kid’s artcamp held in 2005. Latern making, visit to the Tien Hou Temple. Drawing and painting.