The Potential of Bamboo Media in Public Sculpture Art

Potensi Bahantara Buluh Dalam Seni Arca Awam

Abstract

Bamboo has long been used in producing various daily use items and building construction. This plant has importance in Malaysia and also in the Asian region in the economic and cultural sectors including crafts and arts. Its special properties of being flexible, cheap, readily available, easy to bend and shape make bamboo the material of choice. However, how this 'non-art material' material is explored for its potential as the main material in the construction of public sculptures by artists. The objective of this study was to identify the potential of bamboo as the main material in the production of public sculpture by local and foreign artists. The data was analyzed formally using Feldman's art criticism model. The results of the study found several aspects such as; related to the manufacturing techniques used by the sculptor embody the attitudes of experimentation, the wishes and functions of the work as well as the interaction of the work with natural elements such as wind and water affecting the production process of public sculpture art based on bamboo materials. It is clear that these stated needs or characteristics become a source of inspiration that influences the artist throughout the process of producing his work.

Abstrak

Buluh telah lama digunakan dalam menghasilkan pelbagai barangan kegunaan harian dan pembinaan bangunan. Tumbuhan ini mempunyai kepentingan di Malaysia dan juga di rantau Asia dalam sektor ekonomi dan budaya meliputi bidang kraf dan kesenian. Sifat istimewanya yang fleksibel, murah, mudah didapati, mudah dilentur dan dibentuk menjadikan buluh sebagai bahan pilihan. Namun, bagaimana bahan bersifat ‘non art material’ ini di terokai potensinya sebagai bahan utama dalam pembinaan arca awam oleh seniman. Objektif kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti potensi bahan buluh yang dijadikan bahan utama dalam penghasilan seni arca awam oleh arcawan tempatan dan luar negara. Data dianalisis secara formal menggunakan model kritikan seni Feldman. Hasil kajian menemui beberapa aspek seperti; hubungkait teknik pembuatan yang digunakan oleh arcawan menjelmakan sikap- sikap eksperimentasi, kehendak- kehendak fungsi bentukan karya serta interaksi karya dengan elemen alam semulajadi seperti angin dan air mempengaruhi proses penghasilan seni arca awam berasaskan bahan buluh. Jelas sekali keperluan atau ciri-ciri yang dinyatakan ini menjadi sumber inspirasi yang mempengaruhi arcawan sepanjang proses penghasilan karyanya.