Our group developed personal objectives for the final project of the Syntropy Studio which included a focus upon maintaining the integrity of the Songket process whilst introducing innovation through material choices, encouraging dialogue in public and private spaces about the Songket process and traditional Malaysian craft, and to sustain the Songket weaving centre by utilizing skills that are already present. We believe that a knowledge of the complexity of the Songket process would assist in increasing the perceived value of handwoven Songket pieces, therefore heightening the textiles’ popularity.
Two concepts were developed that would meet these objectives.
Concept 1:
Ceramic slabs combined with Songket woven from copper, fibre optic cable or stainless steel filament would be slip cast from molded sections of copper or stainless steel Songket and would therefore have a woven appearance. Naturally raised sections of the cast ceramic Songket would be cutaway to allow for the warp fibres of the metallic Songket to pass through.
This system could be used in corporate, commercial and private settings, or smaller scale, lighting, through the use of woven fiber optics and translucent porcelain. This concept allows for personalization of the system and woven pattern, depending on the application.
Concept 2:
Contemporary tableware for an international market featuring imprints of copper Songket that each display poetic remnants of the Songket process, conveying the transition from fibre to fabric.
The plates and side plates would be packaged in a beautiful handcrafted Songket pouch with an interlocking closure mechanism that alludes to the weaving process. The pouch could then be unfolded for use as a table runner. Stainless steel filaments would be incorporated in the Songket on the pouch to increase durability. There is potential to commission Contemporary Malaysian ceramicists to work in collaboration with Songket weavers to fulfil this concept.
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| songket weave impressions as tableware decoration |
As a group, we were able to utilise our individual skills and divide the workload equally, successfully allowing our group to complete the design solutions on time.
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| woven copper songket and tile patterns |
The ceramics elements were made possible by the wealth of knowledge Kiara, Amber and Fandy possessed and they worked mainly in this studio throughout the projects’ development. Vashti and Hilya focussed upon creating the copper songket pieces and the table runner prototype, employing their joint textile knowledge and capitalising upon the facilities available at UNIMAS. The final presentation poster was also a product of our successful team work, with hand rendered drawings by Kiara, graphic and poster layout by Amber and text by Vashti.
Our group used experimentation, discussions, rendering (hand and computer) to develop and explore our ideas. Throughout the design process we were able to refine our ideas through exploration relying upon individual expertise within the group. Our successful team work combined with clear objectives and an effective design process allowed for quality design pieces to be produced within the limited time available.
Amber, Fandy, Hilya, Kiara and Vashti
Blog post by Amber, Kiara and Vashti
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