KUALA LUMPUR – Gentrification, urban regeneration, and technological advancements have rendered some trades, especially traditional trades, that were once an important component in our towns and cities, redundant.
Ageing tradesmen who buckled under economic pressures, especially after the recent Covid-19 pandemic, decided to call it a day.
One of these was denture maker Lee Dental Laboratories, which late last year shut down their operations in Melaka – a city recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for its outstanding universal values that exhibit its exceptional multi-culturalism, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and traditions.
Melaka was jointly inscribed with George Town on the World Heritage List as Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka in 2018.
Recognising the value of traditional trade to this historic city and the communities who call it home, Lee Dental’s neighbour, Melissa Chan, who is a steward of The Bendahari, was deeply moved by this closure.
Subsequently, Chan was motivated to initiate a community-driven exhibition to showcase selected traditional trades in the city and present the stories, values, and viewpoints of the tradesmen using immersive technological tools.
The Bendahari, a creative heritage hub that aims to bridge old and new Melaka, partnered with the University of Nottingham to explore the use of technology as an immersive tool to connect Melaka’s past, present, and future.
The Heritage Trades of Melaka exhibition that is a result of this collaboration will be held from August 26 to September 2, 2023, at Lot 147-149 Jalan Bendahara Melaka.
It will be open to the public on August 27, August 31, and September 2. Days in between will be focused on hosting students from schools that have booked their slots.
Chan, who is also the project manager for this programme, said: “I am thankful for this opportunity to highlight some examples of everyday heritage trades of Melaka through an exhibition so that Melakans, especially the younger generation, will not forget them.”
“Hopefully, the exhibition will also be able to create interest in these trades with the younger generation to inspire them to be part of revitalising or exploring potential careers in them in the long-term.”
University of Nottingham Faculty of Science and Engineering dean Marina Ng said in trying to reach a diverse crowd, especially youth, a different approach is being explored, one that is more immersive, engaging, and promotes active learning.
“We want to introduce a more sensorial and interactive experience,” she said, adding that the aim is that with students spearheading the development of content for the exhibition, it will match their interests and appeal to peers from the same age group more effectively.
The interactive exhibitions include:
Preserving the Art of Manek that looks at collecting oral stories and documenting “kasut manek” or beaded heirloom shoes, with a 360-degree scan. Visitors will be able to imagine new possibilities using this ‘manek’ or bead art technique, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The Museum of False Teeth Escape Room will allow visitors to look for clues with their mobile devices, and then scan the clues using an RFID reader to learn more about the steps that Lee Laboratories used to make dentures.
The Keroncong exhibition, involving a digital keroncong band, will allow visitors to learn about the different instruments used to produce this traditional folk music.
A Story Generator Reflection will allow visitors to input keywords about their experience at the exhibition, and using ChatGPT, a report will be generated of their experience.
Visiting students will have the opportunity to learn about our local wet markets through a new game called Bansan, developed by Luma and Arts-Ed from Penang.
Each exhibit will also comprise a key audio-visual documentary component that is being developed with collaborators – Image 37, a Melakan documentary filmmaker, the College of Creative Arts UiTM, and Happy Critters Production.
This community-driven exhibition also includes input and participation from the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Asian Architectural and Urban Heritage, the National University of Singapore, Manipal University College Malaysia, Pay Fong Middle School, local trade owners Donald and Lily Food, Ta Chong, T.S. Lim Trading, Melakan non-governmental organisations Melaka Classics and Persatuan Peranakan Cina Melaka, together with independent researchers, Dennis Ong and Margaret Sarkissian. – August 24, 2023