8 Arts

Quarter 1 – Module 1
Southeast Asian Art

Government Property
NOT FOR SALE
What This Module is about?
In this module, you will learn about:

 The folk arts of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam,

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei).
 How the context of their fascinating art works influenced the historical and
cultural phenomena in the world of art.
 How the distinct characteristics of their art works are reflected in the wide
array of exquisite textile, crafts, architecture, ceramics, wood-carving and
leatherwork.

www.freeworldmaps.net
 What I Know

Pre Assessment:

Activity I: Find me

Match the picture with its country of origin. Write your answer in the
space provided.

1.-------------------------- 2.-------------------------

3.-------------------------- 4.------------------------

5.------------------------- 6-------------------------------
a. Philippines
b. Brunei
c. Malaysia
d. Indonesia
e. Singapore
f. Vietnam
 Lesson u

Fabric Design: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,

1 Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and

Singapore

What’s New
Now, let’s get to explore the unique and distinct fabric designs of Southeast Asia
and be amazed of the wonders of creations bringing out the best of their traditions, beliefs
and identify as Southeast Asian Nation.

LESSON 1: FABRIC/FABRIC DESIGN

Thailand

Thai silk is produced from the cocoons of Thai silkworms. It is mainly

produced in Khorat which is the center of the silk industry in Thailand.
Thai weavers from this region raise the caterpillars on a steady diet of
mulberry leaves.

Today, Thai silk making is considered to be one of the finest arts in the
world, a product of a unique manufacturing process and bearing unique
patterns and colors.

Cambodia
https://bit.ly/2BWYziI

Silk weaving in Cambodia dates to as early as the first century since textiles were used for
trading. Modern textiles have traces of motifs imitating clothing details on ancient stone
sculptures.

160There are two main types of Cambodian weaving:

1. ikat technique (Khmer term: chongkiet) - To create patterns, weavers tie and dye
portions of weft yarn before weaving begins. Patterns are diverse and vary by region;
common motifs include lattice, stars, and spots.

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2. uneven twill - It yields single or two-color fabrics, which are produced by weaving three
threads so that the "color of one thread dominates on one side of the fabric, while the two
others determine the color on the reverse side."

Traditionally, Cambodian textiles have employed natural dyes coming from:

a. insect nests - Red dye c. prohut bark- Yellow and Green dye

b. indigo - Blue dye d. ebony bark- Black dye

Cambodia's modern silk-weaving centers are Takeo, Battambang, BeanteayMeanchey,

Siem Reap, and Kampot provinces.

Silk-weaving has been revived in the past ten years and now provides employment for
many rural women. Cambodian silk is generally sold domestically, where it is used in
sampot (wrap skirts), furnishings, and pidan (pictoral tapestries). Now, it has seen an
increase in export viability.

Cotton textiles have also played a significant role in Cambodian culture. Though today,
Cambodia imports most of its cotton, traditionally woven cotton remains popular. Rural
women often weave homemade cotton fabric, which is used in garments and for household
purposes. Krama, the traditional check scarves worn almost universally by Cambodians,
are made of cotton.

Laos

According to Lao tradition, stories of their history were not passed on

orally nor was it written, they were woven. Strand by strand, Lao stories were
weaved in the intricate dense patterns and motifs of textiles. Unfortunately
some are elaborately fantastic, and the motifs so cryptic, that in many cases
only the weaver can accurately interpret the story.

Most diverse of these stories are the ones woven into a sihn—the Lao
women’s ankle-long skirt whose form is undeniable but whose patterns are unique to each
skirt.

Though the skirt looks simple and elegant, it is traditional that every woman in Laos
weaves all the sihns she would wear throughout her lifetime. She uses folk icons to express
personal views. This is often accomplished by symbolist totems from the inanimate or

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animate world—crabs for resourcefulness, snakes for fertility, butterflies for beauty, birds for
success, and so on.

Vietnam

Vietnam Golden Thread Silks were born in Vietnam. Many of

our Vietnamese fabrics originated from Ha Dong, the center of
weaving and sericulture (silk worm production) for centuries. Old
jacquard looms are still used, weaving patterns containing
centuries-old symbols and characters.

Golden Thread Silks were born in Vietnam. Many of our Vietnamese fabrics originated from
Ha Dong, the center of weaving and sericulture (silk worm production) for centuries. Old
jacquard looms are still used, weaving patterns containing centuries-old symbols and
characters.

Some popular Vietnamese fabric ranges are:

1. Shantung taffeta

2. Bengaline weave

3. Ebony satin - an all-natural lustrous silk hand-woven in southern Vietnam and naturally
dyed using ebony fruit pods. The fabric dates back over a century, but was only recently
revitalized by the designer Vo Viet Chung.

Indonesia, Malaysia& Singapore

The fabric most common to both countries is the Batik. The term “batik” is an
Indonesian Malay word, believed to be related to the Malay word “titik”, which means
‘point’,‘dot’ or‘drop’. The “drop” action refers to the process of dyeing the fabric by making
use of a Resist technique: covering areas of cloth with a dye-resistant substance (usually
hot wax) to prevent them from absorbing colors.

This technique is has been taught for over a thousand years.

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There are two categories of batik design

1. Geometric motifs

2. Free form designs

Modern batik designs depend on the creativity of their

designers. Naturalistic motifs like leaves, flowers and birds
have been utilized to create elaborate and intricate design.

Modern designs also include more colors, courtesy of chemical dyes, as artists are not
bounded by the strict guidelines of traditional practices, when craftsmen were dependent on
natural dyes.

In Malaysia, the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are

considered the cradle where batik first flourished, reaching even
Singapore’s shores.

There are two main types of batik that are produced

there:

1. Handpainted- the artist uses the canting, a small copper container

https://bit.ly/2YMNYj9 with one or more different-sized pipes.

2. Blockprinted- done by welding together strips of metal to form a metal lock.

The metal block is then dipped into molten wax and pressed against the fabric in order to
make a pattern.

Leaves and flowers in Malaysian batiks are incorporated to avoid the interpretation
of human and animal images as idolatry, in accordance with local Islamic doctrine. This
makes their batik look similar to that of Indonesia. However, the Malaysian batik is famous
for its geometrical designs or spirals. The method of Malaysian batik making is also different
from those of Indonesian Javanese batik. Their patterns are larger and simpler. More brush
painting is applied to be able to put lighter and more vibrant colors than deep colored
Javanese batik.

In Singapore, the existence and use of batik has been recorded since the 12th
century but has receded in popularity through the years. Nowadays, batik is featured in

as the uniform of flight attendants for the official flag carrier airlines of Singapore, Indonesia,
and Malaysia.

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 Brunei

Brunei's traditional textile is also called batik but it is uniquely

different from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Its designs
have their national flower simpur, sumboi-sumboi (pitcher
plant), and Brunei's traditional design of air muleh.

Different techniques are used in Brunei’s batik like airbrushing,

cracking, bubble, rainbow, sprinkle, geometry, and marble. These
techniques are applied on the fabrics like cotton, chiffon, linen,
and brocade. Hand-made batik designs are created through the
art of layering and mixing of colors injected with creativity. Hand-made batik designs are
created through the art of layering and mixing of colors injected with creativity.

Batik can be done in four different ways:

1. hand-drawn 3. screen printing

2. using metal blocks 4. digital printing

Activity 1: Fill-out the table

Southeast Asian Art Descriptions Art Influences Your view about

Countries the art
,
Brunei

Cambodia

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

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 What Is It

Activity 2: Find the Similarity

Question: Is there a similarity of Art work/design between Philippines and the

Southeast Asian countries?

Write your answer in the diagram.

Philippine Southeast
Art Similarities Asian Art
Phi

What’s More

Activity 3: Identifying
Elements

What are the elements of

art present in this picture?
Describe each.

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 What I Have Learned

Activity 4: Word Pool

Directions: Written below are descriptions of the arts of Indonesia, Malaysia,

Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore. A WORD POOL is given on the box below which
contains the arts and crafts that match the descriptions. Write your answers in the
boxes before each number.

1. To create patterns, weavers tie and dye portion of weft

yarn before weaving begins.
2. Krama, the traditional check scarves worn almost
universally by Cambodian s are made by cotton.

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3. The Lao women’s ankle-long skirt whose patterns are
unique to each skirt.
4. .The center of weaving and sericulture (silk worn
production) for centuries.
5. This means point, dot, or drop. The drop action refers to
the process of dying the fabric by making use of the resist
technique.
6. Its design have their national flowers simpur, sumboi-
sumboi, and Brunei traditional design of air muleh..
7. Are made out of rice paper with bamboo frame which
contain a fuel cell or small candles. When the fuel cell is lit
the flame heats the air inside the lantern.
8. It was used for calligraphy and for making festive temple
decoration umbrellas, fans, and kites.
9. Is type of puppet shadow play performed around the Indo-
Malayan archipelago, tracing its origin to India
10. Is a cap widely worn in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia,
Singapore, Mostly among Muslim Males in formal
gatherings such as weddings, funerals or festivals.

WORD POOL
Sihn Ikat technique Flying Lantern Wat Pho

Ha Dang Cotton Textile Sa paper Songkok

Batik Hand Made Batik Wayang Kulit Bas Form

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 What’s New
Lesson 2

A. Arts and crafts

Sky Lantern Festival of Thailand

These are handmade, with the bases typically

made of a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a loaf
of bread and ornately decorated with banana leaves,
flowers, and incense sticks. Although the Lantern
Festival is celebrated everywhere in Thailand, Chiang
Mai will have the best (and most famous) views of
https://bit.ly/2CP1zxM thousands of lanterns being released into the sky all
at once. When you release your lantern or krathong into a river or into the sky, you are
supposed to wish all your problems and bad luck away with it as it is a symbol of new
beginnings. The festival has also become popular with couples, wishing for a happy life or
marriage together and releasing their krathong at the same time. Many Thai people will also
include coins in their krathongs as an offering to the water spirits and Buddha. But it is
known that some people will dive into the river after the celebrations to steal these coins. Loi
Krathong takes place on the first full moon in the month of November, this year being on
November 13th. Celebrations will begin at sundown on the day of the full moon.

Cambodia handicraft
Cambodia was once famous for its gems
and kramas (like scarves) but has now added
carvings, other textiles, lacquerware, and
paintings to its list of popular arts and crafts for
sale. The information below will inform you about
what types of art and craft are available, and
where to seek them out.

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 Silk painting is the traditional Vietnamese art of
silk painting which originates from painting and drawing
on homemade rice paper. Today this art has become
famous around the world for its simple poetic themes
and vibrant colors. Vietnamese artists find the technique
to be a unique way to create mystique in their paintings.
The Vietnamese style of silk painting emphasizes
softness, elegance and has a flexibility of style. The
success of a silk painting very much depends on the
quality of the silk.

Wayang kulit is a traditional form of puppet-shadow play originally found in the

cultures of Java, Bali, and Lombok in Indonesia. In a wayang
kulit performance, the puppet figures are rear-projected on a
taut linen screen with a coconut-oil (or electric) light.
The dalang (shadow artist) manipulates carved leather figures
between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to life.
It's mainly about good vs evil.

Wayang kulit is one of the many different forms

of wayang theatre found in Indonesia; the others
include wayangbeber, wayang klitik, wayang golek, wayang
topeng, and wayang wong. Wayang kulit is among the best
known, offering a unique combination of ritual, lesson and
entertainment. Today, it is spread out, in various forms and
guises, across Asia
from Turkey and China to Thailand and Malaysia. On https://bit.ly/2ZmthtC November 7,
2003, UNESCO designated wayang kulit from Indonesia as one of the Masterpieces of the
Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

For many thousands of years, the art of

stone carving has flourished in Cambodia.
From the small statues made by local
artisans to the famous, breathtaking
carvings found at Angkor Wat, stone carving
has become one of the country's most
cherished art forms. Stone carving has been
both a passion and a livelihood for many a
Cambodian sculptor and has, in recent
decades, survived war, genocide (in which
many of the country's artists were murdered by the Khmer Rouge), and tyranny to be passed
on to a whole new generation of artists.
The art of stone carving in Cambodia is one that has a very long, fascinating history which
goes back to the foundation of the Khmer nation.
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 Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha),
or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is right behind the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha – it’s a must-see
for any first-time visitor to Bangkok. As one of the
largest temple complexes in the city, it’s famed
for its giant reclining Buddha that is 46 metres
long, covered in gold leaf.

It’s an easy 10-

minute walk between here and the Grand Palace, and
we recommend coming to Wat Pho second because
even though the golden Buddha here is just as
popular, many people don’t take the time to wander
around the rest of the complex, making for a more
relaxing experience. Wat Pho is also a great place to
get a traditional Thai massage. It’s often considered
the leading school of massage in Thailand, so you
really are in good hands here

Vietnamese sculpture has been

heavily influence by three traditional
religions: Taoism, Confucianism,
Buddhism, which come from
neighbouring countries, china and
india. These statues include couples
embracing, pregnant women, people
in mourning, elephant and birds.

The art of wood carving is quite well-

developed in Indonesia. Other than
tribal art woodcarvings of Asmat,
Dayak, Nias, and Toraja—certain area
is well known for its refined

wood carving culture; they are Jepara in Central Java, and Bali. Mas village near Ubud in
Bali is renowned for their wood carving art. Balinese woodcarving today has a sustained
tourist market in Bali.

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 The Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) is one of the most
popular sites that you can find when visiting Malacca. It is a
major historical landmark and is probably the most
photographed structure in Malacca. The A Famosa is located
just next to the Stadthuys building. The fort of Porta De
Santiago (A Famosa) is one of the oldest surviving European
architectural remains in the whole of Asia. This tiny gate
which we call A Famosa or Porta de Santiago is the last
remains of what used to be a mighty fortress.

Merlion Park - is a famous Singapore

landmark and a major tourist attraction,
located near One Fullerton, Singapore,
near the Central Business District (CBD).
The Merlion is a mythical creature with a
lion's head and the body of a fish that is
widely used as a mascot and national
personification of Singapore.
Two Merlion statues are located at the
park. The original Merlion structure measures 8.6 meters tall and spouts
water from its mouth. It has subsequently been joined by a Merlion cub, which
is located near the original statue and measures just 2 metres tall.

Activity 1: Complete the Table

Directions: Fill in what is asked in the table below.

Southeast Asian Arts and crafts Sculpture Your view about

Countries the art

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 Brunei

Cambodia

Indonesia

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

What’s more

Activity 2: Venn Diagram

Show the similarities and differences of the Philippines Arts and Southeast Asian Art

Philippines Southeast Asian

Differences Similarities Differences

What I have learned

Activity 3: Reflection
Instruction: Write your reflection by completing the sentence below.
I learned that
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________

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Summary:

 Indonesian dance-dramas in the form of puppets are the Wayang Topeng, Wayang

Orang, Wayang Kulit and Wayang Golek.

 Wayang, in modern Indonesian language, is closely translated to mean” show” or

“performance”

 Kulit means “skin” a reference to the leather material that the figures are carved out

of.

 The term Batik is an Indonesian- Malay word believed to be related to the Malay

word titik, which means “point,””dot,” or “drop.”

 Relief Sculptures were done with stone, marble, bronze, and many other substances.

 There are 3 main type of relief sculpture: alto(high), bass(low), sunken.

 The songkok or peci or kopiah is a cup widely worn in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia,

Singapore, Southern Philippines and southern Thailand, mustly among muslim

males.

 The Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish used

as a mescot and national personification of Singapore. Its name combine”mer”

meaning “sea””lion”

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