Public Sculptures As An Informal Educational Tool Towards Local Society

摘要

Modernisation and rapid growth of buildings in the city of Kuala Lumpur has open up the chance for public sculptures to grow in parallel with the growth of other buildings. Public sculptures in the heart of Kuala Lumpur could be the icon of the city and also for Malaysia. Public sculptures not only improve physical growth but also could be a tool to spread positive values to the people. A research has been conducted with 50 public sculptures throughout KL City Centre as the main sample. The research was conducted in a qualitative manner in which two methods were being used, observation and content analysis. Two theories were being used when it was conducted which were Practical Art Criticism Theory by Edmund Burke Feldman (1994) Rosalind Ragans (2000) and Iconology Theory by Erwin Pansfoky (1939). There were a couple of results obtained, first, there were two categories of public sculptures were identified according to their style which were realistic public sculptures and also abstract public sculptures. Almost all of the public sculptures identified were all realistic designs which were crafted between 1920s to 1960s especially from foreign sculpturers. National Culture Congress 1971 and Convention Akar-Akar Pribumi became the pioneer for the sculpturers to produce abstract sculptures with local identity physically and its content. Second, public sculptures have become a symbol of the modernisation of Kuala Lumpur. Third, public sculptures in Kuala Lumpur display traditional objects in its craft. Fourth, symbols crafted are displaying positive values towards the growth of the country. Fifth, abstract sculptures give an impression of the modern buildings surrounding it besides implicating that the religion of Islam prohibits crafts that resemble living creatures. Remarkably, the awareness of empty public spaces should be filled with public sculptures are increasing staggeringly, involvement of the government as well as private sectors are creating more compelling opportunities for public sculptures to grow in Malaysia. Malaysians should be proud of the public sculptures that bring positive values, and shows Islamic and local identity.