Serumpun Exhibition — Borneo Laboratory

2024 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Serumpun - a bundle of grass sharing the same roots and aspirations. The term resonated with us when we heard it from the Ketua Kampung of Jagoi, on the Kalimantan side. This area, once a unified community with its Malaysian neighbor, became divided by political borders. Serumpun became the apt title for our collective efforts, uniting 12 communities across Borneo still deeply entrenched in traditional craft practices.

From our extensive 2022 research road trip, we amassed a wealth of material - 5 TB of video footage, images, and interviews. This treasure trove enabled us to craft four thematic short films, each delving into our conversations with these diverse communities and shedding light on the current state of craft practices across the island.

The thematic short films encompass:

1. Passing Down Craft Practices

2. Changing Landscapes in Borneo

3. Documentation of Craft Practices

4. Innovation in Craftsmanship

However, consolidating this varied footage proved challenging. With inconsistent quality and missing pieces, piecing together a coherent narrative required ingenuity. Collaborating with Asa Esa Films, a talented Sarawak-based filmmaking team driven by a passion for storytelling, was pivotal. Their willingness to go the extra mile, coupled with their expertise in weaving compelling narratives, proved invaluable.

Throughout the process, Asa Esa Films utilized AI-assisted techniques to bridge narrative gaps caused by missing footage. As a result, viewers will encounter seamless AI animations seamlessly integrated into the films, providing context and depth to moments we might have missed capturing.

𝟏. 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

Time: 4:45 min

Contributors: Pak Mahadi, Jumadi, Sandra, Jono Anjasmara |Singkawang, Kalimantan Indonesia; Wendy Teo | Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Film Editor: Asa Esa Films

𝟐. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐨

Time: 11:15 min

Contributors: Pak Sujianto, Ibu Roslinda, Ania |Jagoi Babang, Kalimantan Indonesia; Salomon Gau, Ngau Bilong | Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Film Editor: Asa Esa Films

𝟑. 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

Time: 10:46 min

Contributors: Jennifer P. Linggi|Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; Emily Jeneble, Rasmah Rumambai |Keningau, Sabah, Malaysia; Nek Wan | Sambas, Kalimantan, Indonesia; Wendy Teo | Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Film Editor: Asa Esa Films

𝟒. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬

Time: 5:28 min

Contributors: Betong Woman Weavers | Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia; Randi Julian Miranda, Angela Mayrina | Palangkaraya, Kalimantan, Indonesia; Rosemarie Wong, Ivy Jong, Johnson Tan | Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Film Editor: Asa Esa Films

2022 "Serumpun: Crafts Across Borders” Exhibition

The "Serumpun: Crafts Across Borders” Exhibition, part of the "Cultural Assets and Vernacular Materials" programme, starts from Saturday 3rd December, 2022 onward at the Borneo Cultures Museum. In collaboration between the Borneo Laboratory and The Glasgow School of Art, this year-long programme and research explores sustainability challenges and craft activism in communities across Borneo, and has been supported by the British Council International Collaboration Grants.

Under Serumpun, there are 11 projects in various forms of grass-root activism corresponding to their respective contexts in relation to crafts, carried out in their own scales and manners. Some look into developing their craft with alternative material, as a response to the material scarcity in the changing ecosystem of landscape; some developed patterns and motifs that reflects their identity of the region, despite not celebrated by the market generally; some works with the local youth to enable different growth alternative, in combating the reality of illegal gold mining and human trafficking in the area. Some, conducted competition in community scale, to enable innovation. Serumpun, a bundle of grass shares the same roots, also shares the same aspiration to experience, grow and contribute, through crafting.

Exhibition Curatorial Statement

“Before the colonial governments came, we used to be Serumpun.” This was stated by Sujianto, the Ketua Kampong of Sekida Village in Jagoi Babang during our pan-Borneo research trip, to visit the communities we work with.

“Serumpun” means a bundle of grass that shares the same root. In this project, “serumpun” helps us convey how knowledge, wisdom and material cultures in craft across the borders of Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sabah connect together as a wider ecosystem. Today craft communities across South East Asia are facing a range of complex challenges. From climate change to increased youth migration, there is the need to find new ways to protect craft as a ‘cultural asset’ to pass onto future generations.

The serumpun exhibition presents 11 craft projects undertaken individually and collaboratively by artisans, practitioners and initiatives from across Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan. Each project in this collection has explored and responded to a contemporary challenge in craft through experimenting with new materials, ways of making and ways of sharing. Connecting these featured works are inspiring stories of innovation, creativity and education which invite us to reflect both inwards on the deep wisdom and knowledges that live in the hands of craft practitioners and artisans, and forward towards sustainable futures.

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This exhibition, designed by and for Borneo’s craft communities, is the first of its kind hosted at the Borneo Cultural Museum. These projects and exhibition were supported by The Borneo Laboratory and The Glasgow School of Art, and supported by The British Council and the International Collaboration Award, 2022.

The 5 Themes in Exhibition