This project objective is to design a temporary exhibition for Malaysia Puppetry Association (MPA), located in Jalan Raja, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. MPA is a puppetry association that is founded by Dr Loy Chee Luen and Mr Gan Eng Cheng, their objective is to promotes and preserve tradition and contemporary Malaysia puppetry.
Puppetry is a performing art that plays a very important role in Malaysia as it’s an identity of Malaysia traditional culture and it’s a recalled of Malaysia’s people childhood days. In addition, MPA is chosen as the client in order to spread this beautiful performing dying art to every Malaysian through designing a sustainable and impressing interior to attract more visitors. Moreover, by designing this exhibition will help the communities and societies around it to acknowledge the importance of preserving Malaysia puppetry, and they will start to appreciate this performing dying art.
The main element of this concept is inspired by the pattern of the shadow cast by back lighting and also the process of drawing a shadow puppetry. The shadow puppets in Malaysia are mainly influenced by the puppet design and style from Thailand & Indonesia. These floral motifs are primarily influenced by the Islamic culture, where floral motifs are often used as the design element to their culture heritage and are mostly inspired by nature (flower, petals, seeds and stems). Floral motif cuts are arranged on the puppets and when light shines on the puppets, the floral motifs shadows of the puppets can be seen on the screen. The shape of seed was used as the seed is the smallest design element in floral motif pattern and every one of the motifs always start with a dot. The concept design is developed from the shape of seed, which is rotated, repeated, reflected and extended into a complex, organic shape. Gentle and curvy lines are combined with the organic shape to represent the smooth and gentle movements from the puppeteer’s wayang kulit performance.
Entrance of this exhibition is facing to the north- east it’s because it can prevent the strong sunlight from entering while inviting the wind during the October to February. Moreover, natural sunlight is invited in the courtyard area which brings freshness and it helps saving lighting in the interior. Furthermore, bamboo poles is installed at the east and west of the building in order to prevent the strong sunlight from entering while protecting the artwork in the exhibition.
