CULTURE, music, and art are the lifeblood of human societies, reflecting our shared experiences, beliefs, and values. While these forms of expression differ vastly across the world, they also share common threads that bind us together. This intricate interplay of diversity and unity forms a beautiful tapestry that illustrates the richness of human expression.
In this spirit of exploration, the latest exhibition at Ilham Gallery, titled Jungle Jungle, delves into the commonality and plurality between different cultures.
The exhibition investigates how the meaning of music can evolve as it circulates across borders and how oral stories and folk tales adapt to produce localised versions in different regions.
Jungle Jungle first premiered at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum in Taiwan, and has now made its way to Malaysia, offering a unique opportunity for Malaysian audiences to engage with its thought-provoking content.
Central to the exhibition is the acclaimed film Compound Eyes of Tropical, which won the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2022. This film, alongside other works in the exhibition, showcases the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity.
The exhibition features a variety of media, including video animation, mixed media sculptures, paper puppets and a site-specific paper installation.
These pieces draw inspiration from Taiwan's traditional cultural technique known as huzhi (糊紙), or papier-mâché, which is commonly used in ceremonial festivals. This technique embodies the adaptability and resilience of cultural practices as they evolve over time.
THE ARTIST
At the heart of Jungle Jungle is Taiwanese artist Zhang Xu Zhan, who was Deutsche Bank's "Artist of the Year" in 2021. This exhibition marks the first time Zhang's work is being shown in Malaysia, offering a fresh perspective on his innovative approach to blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistic expression.
A contemporary visual artist and animation filmmaker, 36-year-old Zhang obtained a Master of Arts from the New Media Department of the National Taipei University of the Arts.
As a fourth-generation descendant of a family paper crafting business, Zhang has inherited and refined his expertise in crafting elaborate paper effigies. His artistic practice encompasses a diverse range of forms, including animation, video art, experimental film, stop-motion paper doll techniques, and multi-channel video installations.
His contributions to the art world have been recognised globally, with participation in numerous international exhibitions, including the 2020 Yokohama Triennale and the 2018 Shanghai Biennale. His animation and video works are also part of the collections of several prestigious institutions.
While participating in an artist residency programme in Indonesia, Zhang encountered the Southeast Asian folktale Sang Kancil and the Crocodiles. This tale, about a clever mousedeer who outwits his enemies, shares similarities with folktale from other parts of Asia.
He explores this commonality by adapting the original story with elements from similar folktale, such as The Mouse and the Buffalo from Taiwan and The Rabbit and the Crab from China.
OF TRADITION AND MODERNITY
In Jungle Jungle, Zhang uses the imagery of different animal forms rapidly interchanging to expand the space for interpretation and open up the exploration of global connections through the textual similarity of folktale.
The audience experiences the narrative through the vision of a fly's compound eye, where the folktale represents a form of container filled with symbolic metaphors like mirrors and shadows.
Instead of telling a single original story, the tale is viewed through multiple perspectives, reflecting the flow of culture and the interconnections and affinities between humans and animals.
Jungle Jungle invites visitors to delve into the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity, showcasing how cultural elements can circulate, adapt, and evolve while retaining their core emotional impact.
The exhibition at Ilham Gallery celebrates both the diversity and commonality of human expression, emphasising how music and stories, though distinct in their local contexts, resonate with universal themes.
Through Zhang Xu Zhan's innovative approach, Jungle Jungle provides a compelling reminder of our shared humanity and the enduring power of cultural exchange.
JUNGLE JUNGLE
WHEN: Until Oct 6
WHERE: Level 3, Ilham Gallery, Ilham Tower, No 8, Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur
This exhibition is supported by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia and the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan.