@lamantokmah is an awesome example of how 'think kampung' (instead of 'ThinkCity'), can be translated into a real action that brings people back to kampung cosmology, visual tradition & local wisdom. It represents another trajectory of think kampung, in compliment to the inap-ilmu initiative of @rumahtokcu . Laman Tok Mah started as a venue for Pelatih Tamu @_khabirroslan who stayed at the house @rumahtokmah for 6 months. It was a programme jointly organized by @mgtfusm . Khabir is currently showing his artworks at Wei Ling Gallery. He won UOB Emerging Artist Award in 2021.
What makes Laman Tok Mah even special is that it compliments the philosopical, conceptual & theoretical underpinnings of its establishment without having to lecture people. It responds to 'problem statements' related to predatorial capitalism & free market-driven notion of 'bangun' or development, in practice, not just through academic papers, rhetorics & symbolic gestures. While some will go for 'artistic reactions' through artist-centered contemporary art forms, @lamantokmah takes a humble, casual, folk-friendly approach. Yet, the enveloping sense of local aesthetic, arts, tradition & heritage are still very central. In fact, the visual beauty of the whole kampung vistas, or local landscape that surrounds the presence of the house, is the very core of @lamantokmah . Here, art, expecially traditional art, blends nicely with the whole socialscape & culturalscape. It is not seeking attention to itself by making an odd superiority-complex presence of 'high art' padestal in a kampung setting. Free from the sometimes pretencious posturing & pretext of 'contemporary art', Laman Tok Mah provides a more slamber, casual, yet immersive, engaging and meaningful experience. Instead of showboating, preaching or virtue signalling, it wins the hearts through humility & authenticity. Best of all, it has been actualized indipendently without having to seek any sponsorship or funding from any institution.
@rumahtokcu hereby gives @lamantokmah a tabik spring! With doa that it will continue to be granted a sustainable presence across many generations to come.
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