Faiz Yunus : FYP: January 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The idea in the teaser is actually one of the previous ideas I had for this project. Drawing 'Malaysia' was the first real expression any Malaysian have done. okay maybe mostly. so it acts as a reminder, that back then where we were kids when someone ask us about Malaysia our representation will always be the smiles of the 3 races, or bunga raya, or the Jalur Gemilang. but we were honest about our opinion. We really didnt mind about being different. But what about now? What if we were asked to do the same drawing? Our current view on Malaysia, what will you draw? What do you have to say? So its purpose what to question users and remind them of that Muhibbah spirit that they have lost. But I decided to not proceed with it because the message woulnt be that clear or impactful to the users. Hence, the idea is only used in the teaser.

Poster

about the logo, one is the same size as voice because it represents the one-ness xD you know like the voices of the users are one. not under any race, just Malaysians. voice is in [ ] to express that voices that have been inside of us but kept unspoken, unheard. It also shows that one[voice] will be a medium to speak your voice.

speak. listen. unite. was chosen as the tagline simply refers to the 3 sections of the installation. Read synopsis on previous post for further detail.

the picture of smiles is a warm-welcoming invitation to users that rides on the cliche of 'Malaysia is made up of Malay, Chinese, Indian' but at the same time carries the message of Malaysians are more than just those 3 major races. from the smiles, can one really tell what race the subject in the image is? is she a Malay? a Chinese? a mixed of both? or from one of the 'orang asli' tribes? so does it really matter? as long as a person get to know the real you ( are you sincere + kind + all the good stuffs or are you [insert all the bad stuffs here]?) your skin color doesn't concern anyone. the image invites the audience while questioning them.

also because 'voice' comes from our human instrument the mouth. green represents unity + harmony + one-ness

Contextual Studies + Final Synopsis

Social
Understanding and respect are important characteristics that one must have in order to live in a multiracial country. Most Malaysians have lost the 'Muhibbah' spirit that was once there when they were kids. Growing up, 'educated' by the media, living under the regulations of the system, the 'unity' inside of us is slowly fading. It's all about 'me' or in the politics it's all about 'my race' first. Malaysians need to be reminded.

Personal
The decision to unite or hate is up to that individual. Sure we all can keep pointing fingers and most people tend to do so. Because it's easier. Rather than having to live with each other's differences, it is human nature to find comfort in things and be in groups of people with similarities.

Cultural
In a way, other than the diversity in skin color Malaysians are very different due to their ethics and heritage. If you observe at the way Malaysians dress maybe not so much because everyone dress-up to the 'modern-age' dress code nowadays but what about customs? Each race has their own laws ( even in simple stuffs like eating ) or superstitious beliefs that when not learned and accepted cause disagreements that separate individuals into separate cliques.

Synopsis
Racism has been a huge issue around the world including Malaysia.
But really, what’s the cause of all these racial hate? The government? The system? Or are we the main reason discrimination exists?
one[voice] will provide Malaysians with a medium that allows users to ‘speak’. The installation collects their opinions (voices) on how they see Malaysia as a multiracial country using the iPad. Voices will then be displayed in a live-stream monitor where audience can ‘listen’ to Malaysians.

When submission is received, a webcam will capture a picture of the user. Faces of users will be projected into a pile of cubes that form the shape of the Malaysia which profiles users not by their race, but ‘united’ as Malaysians.

Conceptual Diagram

Functional Specification Sheet

Content Acquisition : Rupa-rupa Malaysia

I have setup and online survey asking Malaysians on their view of Malaysia as a multiracial country. And it is still on going. The inputs gathered from the survey will serve as the initial data to display on the installation art.

More inputs will be collected on the day of the exhibition itself from users who participate with the installation. Here are a few comments Ive got so far :

"Malaysia istimewa sebagai multiracial country kerana sebagai rakyat Malaysia kita semua dapat belajar pelbagai budaya yang ada di negara kita. Selain budaya, kita juga dapat belajar cara bertoleransi antara satu sama lain. walaupun tidak dinafikan 'toleransi' adalah perkara yang agak rumit untuk lakukan, namun sedikit demi sedikit kita semua dapat belajar memahami satu sama lain apabila timbulnya sesuatu isu, dan dapat masa yang sama kita cuba menerima perbezaan yang ada."
- theLOLkitteh

"there's no word could describe how amazing such country like Malaysia could live peacefully with a multiracial citizen in it. All I can say is, "I'm proud to be Malaysian"
- dayusthegreat

"it wont work since people tend to want equal things but then based on the 4 dimension of culture, the power dimension, we have to accept what we are given even if its not given out equally"
- Feek

and there are a bunch of others. i am grateful to all participants.

same thing with images ( faces of Malaysians ) will also be gathered on the day itself. but ive contacted a few photographers and filmmakers if I could use their work for my fyp.

Faridzwan Siman was very kind to share his works with me and allowed me to use them. kudos to him. and also to elmi8 for his inspiring video