Talks presented as part of Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge

Three Mountains in Malay History
Talk by Professor John N. Miksic
19 April 2018, 7.30pm

The Malay realm is a sea-faring terrain. From search of the orang laut (sea people) to re-imagining a vessel from a 7th century armada, the sea remains the constant premise for Zai Kuning’s artistic inquisition of Malay history. Surrounded by a flat and expansive body of water, seafarers in the region have always relied on mountains as a guiding force, geographically as well as spiritually. Drawing from archaeological research, John N. Miksic discusses the importance of mountains, specifically in Palembang (Sumatra), Singapore, and Melaka, as epicentres that unify the Malay maritime culture.

Symbolic Content in Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge
Talk by Professor T.K. Sabapathy
26 April, 7.30pm

A stone inscription found in the vicinity of Bukit Seguntung in Palembang names Dapunta Hyang as a ruler who embarked upon a voyage or pilgrimage to gain merit and spiritual power. The contents of this inscription, the figure of Dapunta Hyang and ships or vessels are vital, dynamic wellsprings for Zai Kuning’s current work. T.K. Sabapathy discusses this inscription and its impact in the making of Zai Kuning’s Dapunta Hyang. The Transmission of Knowledge, which was produced for the Venice Biennale and is currently displayed at TheatreWorks. He also deals with other sources that enrich its interpretation. The talk is illustrated.

These talks are part of 'Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge' that runs from 12 April to 13 May 2018 at 72-13. For more information, please visit: https://dapuntahyang2018.wordpress.com

The Artwork

A 17-metre long ship traverses the hall, suspended. As if emerging from the ocean floor, it unloads hundreds of books sealed in beeswax. This is the imagined vessel steered by Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, the first Malay king of the 7th century Srivijayan Empire. Alongside, portraits of Mak Yong (ancient Malay opera) performers are featured as living witnesses to a history cast in darkness.

Zai Kuning’s synthesis of forgotten histories and disappearing traditions is “full of magic, mystery and beauty” (Karim Raslan, South China Morning Post). As the first contemporary visual artwork to ambitiously uncover and interpret ancient regional history, the vessel and its variations have been exhibited in Ota Fine Arts (Singapore, 2014), Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) (Singapore, 2014), Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay (Singapore, 2015), Art Basel Hong Kong (2015), Palais de Tokyo (Paris, 2015), and the 57th Venice Biennale (2017).

In the homecoming of this highly acclaimed work, audience members can expect to gain fuller insights into a 20-year long journey that has taken the artist to encounter the orang laut (sea people), Mak Yong performers, and the lost world of the Malay kingdom. A performance with musician Mike Cooper will breathe life to a new film, Chronicles of Amnesia, that captures Zai’s extraordinary sojourn. Archaeologist John N. Miksic and art historian T. K. Sabapathy will each give a lecture on the geographical, historical, cultural, and artistic symbols that exist in Dapunta Hyang’s world.

TheatreWorks is proud to present this exceptional work that communicates the urgent need to resurface questions on how knowledge has been transmitted, manipulated and directed across time and space to inform us of our present realities.