Kayu Nusantara. (Timbers of Nusantara)

Project Proposal for MCAT (Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism)
Kayu Nusantara
Environmental Sculpture
Presented by; Shamsul Bahari

Re; Landscape Installation cum Museum of Tropical Rain Forest

Objective;
The proposal is directed at establishing an area of “Natural Wood related sculptures” catering both towards an added source of tourism attraction as well as an environmental preservation initiative related to the tropical rain forest of this country.

The primary focus of this proposal is to gather as many timber roots or buttresses belonging to the more common trees found and used from the Malaysian rain forest For example these roots can be from that of a Chengal or a Meranti or a Tembusu etc. As the Malaysian tropical rainforest is home to some of the most diverse species of timbers, acquiring these would not be a problem.

It is inevitable that the involvement of various government agencies and departments related to Forestry in providing assistance with the implementation of this project The choice of timber and its passage of delivery the research of each and every timber brought on site such that these information will be provided along with the finished piece. Each state through its related department will choose the most common timber from their locality and ship it to the site location as a part of a collaborative effort in realizing this project.

Timbers companies too may be invited to contribute toward this effort as in the form of providing the transportation in getting the timbers from their sources to the site area as these companies have excess to all that is needed to perform this task.

As there are thirteen states in the country hopefully there would be at least thirteen initial pieces of representational timbers on site as a beginning for the project.

The project venue:

Initially it was thought of the Botanical Gardens in Penang as a potential location for this project with the view that the sculptures being ‘Timber Related’ would enhance the natural surrounding of the Gardens. However as ideal as this site may seem for the purpose its size may be prohibitive for the purpose and the availability such site may draw too much political debate from the general public.

The second choice has been mooted to be a piece of flat area adjacent to the Teluk Bahang Dam and the Taman Rimba in Teluk Bahang. The land was a land fill at one time and is presently not being used for any project that we know of. The location is ideal as it is located along the coastal area with the sea as its backdrop. As it is an open space it would also be an ideal location for the sculptures to be viewed without any obstruction.

This location is also situated along the main tourism route around the Island where tourists frequents such as the beaches of Batu Ferringi and Tanjung Bungah.

Other locations may be suggested by the state government as the idea is being realized through meetings and deliberations as to the availability of such space adequate for its purpose.






Implementation;

Gathering of the timbers from various locations all over the country would require the collaboration of various government forestry departments primarily with the support from the tourism departments. This would require the involvement of an influential body of committee members with the authority to persuade such agencies to participate. (eg. The Vice Chancellor, Government Ministers of Tourism and various Head of Departments.) This project would have to be made to be a joint effort of all parties involved such as the various states forestry department heads.
Timber logging companies can be utilized through the government heads to provide the removal and delivery of the chosen tree trunk with the supervision of and advice from an artist as to the choice to ensure that the choice is of aesthetic quality when put to display.
The designated area when finally chosen will be prepped to receive these timbers as for example the laying of concrete flooring and supports where necessary according to the sculptor’s design.
The pieces will be arranged in such a manner as to follow the map of Malaysia with each sculpture arranged to coincide with the state it originated from.
Upon arrival the timbers will be further prepared to ensure its life span as well as beautification and uniqueness in style of sculptural display.
Once the process is completed plaques and various informational items will be installed to commemorate as to its origin and donors.

Most of this information are readily available in identifying the timbers along with detailed description or their genealogical history and so forth. With the involvement of various institutions related to the forestry department the sculptures can become a multi faceted source of information for the general public as well as the tourists from all over the world.


Personal Note;

My main intention of making this proposal is to establish a venue whereby Art and its Aesthetic values can be made to collaborate along with the promotion of an Environmental Awareness and preservation especially in our rich heritage of the Tropical Rain Forest. It will also be the first of its kind in the country if it is being done on the scale that I have envisioned. I see this project at a later period to encompass the timbers from neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Burma and so forth.

It is also my intention to create an opportunity for local Malaysian wood related sculptors to be involved in this project as a venue for their contribution and participation is designing and providing ways and styles of displaying these intended sculptures. These artists can be chosen each as representative from their native state. This will help for the preparation of the pieces before they arrive at the site.

Details as to the execution of this project will be deliberated by a formed committee and its success will depend on how smoothly and well organized the project is carried out.