QUARTER I

ARTS 8
SOUTHEAST ASIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS

LESSON 1: FABRIC/FABRIC DESIGN

Thailand
CAMBODIA
Thai silk is produced from the cocoons of Thai silkworms. It is mainly
Silk weaving in Cambodia dates to as early as the first century since
produced in Khorat which is the center of the silk industry in Thailand.
textiles were used for trading.
Thai weavers from this region raise the caterpillars on a steady diet of
Two Main Types of Cambodian Weaving
mulberry leaves.
1. Ikat Technique (Khmer term: chongkiet) -
Today, Thai silk is one of the
To create patterns, weavers tie and dye
finest arts in the world, a product of a
portions of weft yarn before weaving begins,
unique manufacturing process and
common motifs include lattice, stars, and
bearing unique patterns and
spots.
colors.
2. Uneven Twill It yields single or two-color
fabrics, which are produced by weaving three
Indonesia and Malaysia Batik threads so that the "color of one thread
The fabric most common to both countries is the Batik. The term dominates on one side of the fabric, while the
“batik” is an Indonesian-Malay word, believed to be related to the Malay two others determine the color on the reverse
word “titik”, which means ‘point’, ‘dot’ or ‘drop’. The “drop” action refers side."
to the process of dyeing the fabric by making use of a resist technique:
covering areas of cloth with a dye-resistant substance (usually hot wax) Krama, the traditional check scarves
to prevent them from absorbing colors. This technique has been taught worn almost universally by
for over a thousand year Cambodians, are made of cotton.

The Sampot a long, rectangular cloth worn around

the lower body, is a traditional dress in Cambodia.
It can be draped and folded in several different
ways.
There are two categories
of batik designs:
1. Modern batik designs depend on the creativity of their LESSON 2: ARTS AND
designers. CRAFTS
2. Naturalistic motifs like leaves, flowers and birds have been Indonesia (Shadow Puppet)
utilized to create elaborate and intricate designs. Puppetry is famous in
Indonesia. Wayang, in modern
Modern designs also Indonesian language means
include more colors, courtesy of "show" or "perform". Kulit means
chemical dyes, as artists are not "skin", a reference to the leather
bounded by the strict guidelines material that the figures are
of traditional practices when carved out of. Others say that
craftsmen were dependent on wayang is also attributed to the
natural dyes. Indonesian word bayang which
In neighboring Malaysia, the means "shadow".
states of Kelantan and
Terengganu are considered the Wayang Kulit – is a type of puppet
cradle where batik first flourished, shadow play performed around the
reaching even Singapore’s shores. Indo-malayan archipelago, tracing
its origins to India. It is derived from
There are two main types of batik that are produced there: a Javanese Hindu- Buddhist
1. Hand painted - the artist uses the canting, a small copper tradition, where hand-crafted leather
container with one or more different-sized pipes puppets depict epic stories of the
2. Block printed - done by welding together strips of metal to form a gods in shadow play. A traditional
metal block. The metal block is then dipped into molten wax and Gamelan orchestra would
pressed against the fabric to make a pattern. accompany the storytelling
The puppets come in all sizes, ranging from 25 cm to 75 cm.
The puppets are usually made from buffalo and goat hide and mounted
on bamboo sticks. The characters are usually represented by several
versions in a set. The best puppets are made from young female water
buffalo parchment and the curing can take up to ten years.

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 The Show. The puppets are moved behind a cotton or linen visiting beaches like Karon and Kata.
screen by a Dalang, or a "Puppet master" in a shadow puppet play. The Sky lanterns or wish lanterns as they are also commonly
Dalang tells the story, interprets, and voices for each character, known have become popular on the main tourist beaches of Phuket.
producing sound effects with speech and movement and manipulates Wander down to the beach on most nights and you will find locals
all the figures between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to selling wish lanterns for a small cost. Light your candle, make your
life. wish, and once your wish lantern is floating skyward sit back and enjoy.
Most shadow play is based on two epic stories from India -
the Mahabarata and its sister work, the Ramayana. The Balinese and
Javanese have combined the Hindu stories with Buddhist and Muslim
ideas mixed with their own folklore.
Malaysia
Wau Kite in Malay is a uniquely designed Malaysian kite
called 'Wau'. Its wings are like an Arabic letter (pronounced "wow").
This kite- making tradition comes naturally to Malaysian people,
especially in the Eastern States of the Malayan Peninsula. LESSON 3: SCULPTURE
Farmers used kites as scarecrows in the fields and to Cambodia
lull their children to sleep, so they could work with little
interruption. Now, kite flying has become a popular sport not For many thousands of years, the art of stone carving has
just in Malaysia but also flourished in Cambodia. From small statues to the breathtaking
internationally. carvings found at Angkor Wat, this art medium has become one of the
Malaysia has country's most cherished art forms. Stone carving has been both a
been celebrating kite passion and a livelihood for many a Cambodian sculptor.
festivals annually like The art of stone carving in Cambodia is one that
the Pasir Gudang has a very long, fascinating history which goes back to the
International Kite foundation of the Khmer nation.
Festival. These kite Borobudur,It is the world's
festivals encourage largest Buddhist
more tourists to visit temple.The temple consists
their country. of nine stacked platforms,
six square and three
Malaysian Pewter circular, topped by a central
Pewter is an alloy made up of tin, copper and antimony. Tin is dome. It is decorated with
well known for its resistance to corrosion. Copper is a malleable metal 2,672 relief panels and
which makes it easy to work while antimony is added to provide originally 504 Buddha
strength. Malaysia was once a leading producer of tin but nowadays statues. The central dome
the company's raw materials are imported. is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a
perforated stupa.

Pewter objects are part of the day to day lives of Malaysians, especially
as religious accessories. In 1885, Yong Koon started making
handcrafted pewter objects such as joss stick holders, incense burners
and candle holders for alters in Chinese homes and temples
Thailand
Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra
Chetuphon, is right behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha – it’s a
must see for any first-time visitor to Bangkok. As one of the largest
temple complexes in the city, it’s famed for its giant reclining Buddha
that is 46 metres long, covered in gold leaf.

Thailand (Sky Lantern)

Flying lanterns are made of rice paper with a bamboo
frame, which contain a fuel cell or small candle. When the
fuel cell is lit the flame heats the air inside the lantern causing
the lantern to rise Singapore
Once airborne the sky lantern will rise until the
fuel cell or candle stays alight, when the candle burns The Merlion was conceived because the Singapore Tourism Board
out the sky lantern floats back to ground. (STB) felt country lacked a distinct image representing the nation and
In Thailand flying lanterns are used during the year and for its history. They set out to fabricate an icon, which could tap into the
festivals with the most popular being Loy Kratong Festival. This festival particular myths and folklore of
is held on the night of the 12th full moon, usually in November, with the area, many of which
Chang Mai believed to have the brightest and most spectacular feature sea-beasts and
celebrations. magical fish-creatures.
All of Phuket's major west coast beaches take part in Loy The Merlion is also partly
Kratong festivities, with a mix of locals and tourists. Patong beach and inspired by the story of how
Nai Harn around the lake usually have the most activity with locals Singapore got its name, or
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‘The Singapura Story’. The Sentosa Merlion is the biggest replica,
standing at 37 meters and made from glass- reinforced concrete.

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