Lubang Indah: The pothole installation art

Available Online at www.e-iph.co.uk Indexed in Clarivate Analytics WoS, and ScienceOPEN MEE 2.0: ICLT2022 International Virtual Colloquium on Multi-Disciplinary Research Impact (3rd Series) International Conference of Logistics and Transportation Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct2022 Lubang Indah: The pothole installation art Muhammad Sukor Romat1, Muhammad Khairi Shamsudin1, Ahmad Fauzi Amir Hamzah1, Noor Azzanny Jamaludin2 1 College 2 Faculty of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA,40450, Shah Alam, Malaysia of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Tel: + 6 0123464852 Abstract The effects of the epidemic of COVID-19 can be seen in the natural deterioration of the roads. Self-isolation and curfews during the pandemic further exacerbate the mental health problem. Through this project, the researchers hoped to convey the negative impression of the pothole-strewn streets through an art installation. Using an artistic medium is one way to counteract the negative perception people have of potholes. In this project, freshly picked flowers, with only stems and no branches, were placed in the pothole. In this way, actual activity can be recorded based on the design of potholes. Keywords: Pothole, installation art. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI9.4271 1.0 Introduction The global COVID-19 pandemic impacts the environment, economy, infrastructure, and lifestyle, among other things. The Malaysian government has taken numerous actions and implementations to keep this pandemic from spreading and taking a long time to control. All everyday tasks that would have been completed when the epidemic struck became hampered, and all movements became constrained and restricted. It includes upgrading the government’s infrastructure and utilities. As artists, the researcher perceived the repercussions of this pandemic as natural. When something horrible happens, it should be seen positively and with optimism. The primary goal is to draw attention to the broken road by using art to give a negative impression of the damaged road while also providing a random moment of delight for everybody who walks in and sees it. It will be accomplished while simultaneously drawing attention to the potholed road. The message in this installation art is that it must cover the pothole with kindness. It is communicated through this collection of flower bouquets using the metaphor of beautiful flower planting and calming the eyes of an audience looking to be inspired and encourage the community to garden and engage in healthy activities. The rojectt views the rutted roadway as a canvas that needs to be reconciled with the concept of art; perhaps this is a contemporary approach to painting still life. The researcher is interested in hearing the opinions and viewpoints of the general population, both positively and negatively. The researcher does not assign a particular level to this piece of work, but regardless of whether it is moved, photographed, violated, or anything else, whatever happens to it will consider its influence. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2022. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI9.4271 241 Romat, M.S., et.al., MEE 2.0: International Conference of Logistics and Transportation (ICLT2022), Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct 2022, E-BPJ, 7(SI 9), Oct 2022 ( pp.241-246) 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Pothole issues in Malaysia The infrastructural development of a country is significantly influenced by its roads. They are crucial to a country’s growth and development. According to the 2019 World Economic Forum opinion survey, Malaysia ranks 21st out of 141 countries in terms of road quality. However, according to the Malaysian Ministry of Transport report, the total road accidents have increased by about 41% in the last decade, reaching 369,319 in 2007 and 521,466 in 2016. In his study, Dharma et al. (2017) found that the highest fatalities due to road defects (48.6%) were related to the lack of road lighting, while road subsidence and potholes caused 15.4% and 11.2% of road fatalities, respectively. A pothole is a large hole in a road’s surface caused by traffic and bad weather. It is caused mainly by frequent road damage being repaired too late in the initial stages of its development. Recent traffic accidents involving motorcyclists who drove into potholes have highlighted the urgent need to address a long-standing problem that has cost lives. In December 2020, Minister Khairy Jamaluddin fell off his bicycle after sliding over a pothole and sustained minor facial injuries (Henn, 2021). An apology from JKR followed the incident, and reparations were completed the same day. This response was met with outrage by the public, with many mocking JKR’s passivates while other potholes caused far more catastrophic injuries to less prominent individuals. 2.2 Installation Art The development of installation art over the past fifty years has been one of the most significant and provocative trends in the visual arts. It has gained considerable attention from both artists and modern museums. Due to its distinct, immersive in situ setting, it is also thought to be challenging or even beyond the scope of current methods of empirical aesthetic psychology. However, many viewers also perceive it as particularly dismissive or challenging. This paper presents an exploratory study using installation art to capture real-world activities by designing pothole streets. In addition, this is a strategy for using the arts to change the negative perception of potholes that the public has. The original idea of this installation art was inspired by an artist named Steve Wheen. He transformed the lonely and neglected streets of east London into a living miniature park comprised of dirt, plants, and a collection of additional display equipment that attracted the attention of the passing traffic. 3.0 Methodology 3.1 Artwork Planning The approval to conduct this research was obtained from the National Art Gallery (BSN). After obtaining permission from BSN, the researcher forwarded the letter to Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK) as the City Council in Klang Area and the State Legislative Assembly to get their cooperation to obtain permission to perform research in Klang District. After the consent was granted by Mrs Norfiza Binti Mahfiz, Director of the Corporate Communications Department, one of the charge people from the MPK who helped a lot on this project. For the initial response from MPK, Mrs Norfiza Binti Mahfiz suggested changing the location proposed in the proposal because that area is too busy with heavy vehicles and vehicles in the industrial area and offered to do the project in the Klang city area, which is in the Klang Heritage Walk, which is the centre of attraction for tourists. The researcher had to agree to and accept the advice given. A few weeks after the new proposal was announced, our original proposed location was paved at the potholed road. Next, the researcher plans to hold a meeting with the MPK; because of the meeting, the researcher explained the things that need to be taken into account in terms of themes, ideas, community perspectives, and public feedback on this project to protect the name and image of the MPK. The researcher agreed and wanted to continue this project without any harmful elements that would happen, and MPK suggested visiting a new location around Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (RKTHW). Fig. 1. A meeting with MPK members at MPK headquarters. (Source : Muhammad Khairi Bin Shamsudin) 242 Romat, M.S., et.al., MEE 2.0: International Conference of Logistics and Transportation (ICLT2022), Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct 2022, E-BPJ, 7(SI 9), Oct 2022 ( pp.241-246) (a) (b) Fig. 2. (a) A suggested location in the vicinity of the Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (RKTHW); (b) Poster of RKTHW location map (Source: MPK Website) The researcher was taken on a tour around the Klang City location for the second meeting. Here, the MPK suggested some suitable places to carry out this project. The researcher proposed holding two locations nearby, one in the alley and one in the area at the traffic light junction in front of the station fire department. MPK agreed and asked us to write an official letter on the application for the new proposed location. (a) (b) Fig. 3. (a) Site visit tour on Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (RKTHW); (b) Mrs Norfiza Binti Mahfiz's suggested location of installation art. (Source: MPK Website) From this meeting, the researcher emailed a new proposal for a new proposed location, and the President of MPK agreed to allow us to carry out this project. This proposal contains a proposed site, tentative project, and security team requirements and includes a request for flower donations from MPK's landscape department. Fig. 4. Approved and Signed by the President of MPK. (Source : Norfiza Binti Mahfiz) On the day of the installation of the works, the MPK gave good cooperation, and all the outcomes could be carried out as planned in the tentative even though it rained early in the morning. 243 Romat, M.S., et.al., MEE 2.0: International Conference of Logistics and Transportation (ICLT2022), Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct 2022, E-BPJ, 7(SI 9), Oct 2022 ( pp.241-246) 3.2 Artwork Installation To accomplish this masterpiece project, the researcher used dozens of sets of flowers (stems only), soil, and live carpet grass as the completion of the plant to look more presentable. (a) (b) Fig. 5. (a) Process for On-Site Work Installation; (b) Recommended Protective Apparel During Operation. (Source : Muhammad Sukor Bin Romat) The procedure of installing flower plantings took approximately two to three hours in the early morning, around 4 am, so the researcher could avoid traffic congestion and make the installation work process go more smoothly. During the procedure, members of the group have worked together with the appropriate authorities to prevent any accidents from occurring, and they have complied with all the safety precautions that have been established to protect both themselves and other drivers on the road. The researchers did not anticipate the process of planting the flowers and maintained the cleanliness taking very long. This procedure has been documented using an Action Cam for outcomes that are easier to access and reference. (a) (b) (c) Fig. 6. (a) An On-Site Sketching of The Process; (b) An On-Site Sketching of The Flower; (c) An On-Site Sketching of The Placement (Source : Ahmad Fauzi Bin Amir Hamzah) (a) (b) Fig. 7. (a) The project starts with MPK assistance on the road; (b) installing the flowers and plants. (Source : Muhammad Khairi Bin Shamsudin) 244 Romat, M.S., et.al., MEE 2.0: International Conference of Logistics and Transportation (ICLT2022), Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct 2022, E-BPJ, 7(SI 9), Oct 2022 ( pp.241-246) 3.3 Idea Development (a) (b) Fig. 8. (a) The Illustration of Roadway Covered With Flower Arrangements; (b) The Illustration Using Photo-Manipulation Software. (Source : Ahmad Fauzi Bin Amir Hamzah) The development of this idea was inspired by the potholed roads around Meru, Klang. The researcher imagines that if this potholed road could be covered with colourful flowers, it could make the damaged road look more beautiful. (a) (b) Fig. 10. (a) The Illustration of Roadway Covered With Flower Without Grass; (b) The Illustration of Roadway Covered With Flower With Grass (Source : Ahmad Fauzi Bin Amir Hamzah) This piece consists of an installation art arrangement, including a flower arrangement that focuses on an unsightly pothole. In the course of this task as well, empirical evidence from the general public in terms of criticism and expression is required. Because anything that occurs to this work will be taken into consideration, there is no precise level that has been assigned to it regardless of whether it is moved, documented, violated, or others. 4.0 Result & Discussion Based on the results, the researchers have concluded that the primary cause of this situation is a disregard for the surrounding environment. Environmental damage will occur and will be a factor in this study in the future. Specifically, civic awareness should be promoted and taught to the public to become more responsible and develop a caring attitude toward the environment. (a) (b) (c) Fig. 11. (a) Completed installing the flowers in front of the fire station; (b) After an hour of installing; (c) After two hours of installing. (Source : Muhammad Khairi Bin Shamsudin) As for the outcome of the installation project from the fire station location, for the first 30 minutes after completing installing the flowers, the researcher observed that many types of transport tried to avoid hitting it. After more than 30 minutes, it has already been hit by 245 Romat, M.S., et.al., MEE 2.0: International Conference of Logistics and Transportation (ICLT2022), Best Western i-City Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, 05-06 Oct 2022, E-BPJ, 7(SI 9), Oct 2022 ( pp.241-246) extensive vehicles such as buses and lorries, followed by small transport such as cars and motorcycles. Most transporters hit the installation for the first hours while others try to avoid it. After two hours of the installation art, most of the transport hit the flower without consciousness. (a) (b) (c) Fig. 12. (a) Completed installing the flowers at the alley; (b) After an hour of installing; (c) After two hours of installing. (Source : Muhammad Khairi Bin Shamsudin) While at the second location at the alley near the fire station, the consequence of the installation project for the first hour after installing the flowers, the researcher observed that there were not many types of transport across this street, only a few cars, motorcycles, and people walking. The researcher noticed that a car had already hit the flower in the following hours. After a day, the installation is still standing compared to the fire station installation. The researcher noticed many people stopped by to see the installation art in the alley. Some stare, while others express their feelings towards the installation art. According to the findings of this study, the government should be more efficient in dealing with the problem of potholed roads. Still, due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, maintaining roads cannot be carried out. Many road users can now go out and do their daily activities cautiously. Road users may also feel surprised and amazed by something new they see on the road through this art installation. In general, the awareness of the community and the highest authorities towards the safety and preservation of the environment should be in parallel. 5.0 Conclusion & Recommendations This research describes infrastructure development focusing on potholes on Malaysian roads and how artists represent this in art making. This research also explains the installation process of beautiful flowers placed in road potholes. This project aims to understand art installations' paradoxical language to critique how artists respond to the issue. According to the researcher, art can be a language and communication tool to imagine awareness in society. As an artist, visuals and ideas must be in an indirect form in the production of artwork. The arrangement of sketches, storyboards, and visual collections produces artwork from the understanding of the idea of installation art by using video art installation and then creating a time-based art installation. In addition, references from different artists are selected based on the concept of the artwork and the creative process. This research is essential to developing the creative process in creating works of art. With this research, artists can understand more about the creative process of making art and how to interpret ideas into installation and video art forms. This research leads to understanding how important road safety is and must be improved first to reduce accidents. Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank the College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia, for the funding and support for the writing workshop and ReNeU UiTM, for the publication incentive provided through Program MEE 2.0. References Kharlan, Olga & Shkola, Iryna & Saliuk, Bohdana & Bohdanova, Maryna & Melnikova, Yuliia. (2020). Transformation of the Genre of Still Life in Painting and Literature. Journal of History Culture and Art Research. 9. 246. 10.7596/taksad. v9i3.2758. Nurul Husna Mahmud (2019, March 17). Atasi masalah jalan rosak. Harian Metro. https://www.hmetro.com.my/rencana/2019/03/434582/atasi-masalah-jalan-rosak Steve Wheen, The Little Book of Little Gardens, Dokument Forlag, Fotograf Malcolm Jacobsson, 2012 246