COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE
REX KL
REXPERIENTIAL MARKET
TAYLOR'S
Week 1: unexpected meeting
Sunday
2nd Sept 2018
2:30 pm
Briefing by Ar. Shin Luis Tseng in Geographer's Cafe Kuala Lumpur
As a group of 30, we arrived at Geographer's cafe without knowing anything about the project except getting involved in an experiential market. Ar. Shin briefed us on history of REX cinema and also more regarding the experiential market. With our individual group of 6, we were to find interesting traits of business or talent in Chinatown to sell their experiences during the event. Many confusion and questions popped up as we did not expect organising an event all on our own. Details of the event was also discussed and officially set on the 3rd of November 2018. Due to lack of time and many constraints, we did not know if this event would reach the audiences' response.
Week 2: a big meeting
Saturday
15 Sept 2018
Bringing everyone involved together was not an easy job
With the continuing effort to make sure this event is on the right track, we decided to work in a big group of 30. To combine ideas and segregate work in different teams, which are divided into admin, lock down and publicity, graphics and photography team. The meeting discussed on theme, responsibility and schedule. We were glad that team was cooperative and giving ideas. I chose to be in the graphics team to create posters and any graphic related images for the event.
Week 3 : first exposure
Saturdays
11:30 am
Finally, after discussions, we finally have our excursion out to Chinatown. We were to find a few vendors that are rich in history or any talent that helped shaped Chinatown today. We were worried that we could not approach any of the businesses as they would ignore students like us. The trip was an eye-opening experience for me as we walked along small alleys and places we would never discover as locals. It was a fruitful trip to gain knowledge and made me see Petaling Street in a different light. We went empty handed but fortunately came back with two potential vendors. These vendors are Pak Tai Photo Studio and D&P Dress Making.
RICH CULTURE GOES UNNOTICED
The Chinese culture of Petaling Street all started with immigrants from China to settle in Kuala Lumpur. There are very few temples and many old traits that still remained today that represents the Chinese culture from the past. The current locals commented that the old shops were no longer in business. "Everyone were like neighbours, knowing everyone from every street.", commented Joanna, a seamstress from D&P Dress Making. Deep down the small alleys of Chinatown, we can still find small businesses that are not noticeable by tourist or passerby but only known by locals.
INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT
Community Service Initiative (CSI) module is required to incorporate the theory they have learned at school into real life environment and problems. The intention is to reveal the students to the real community and work together as a team for architectural, culture and environmental enhancing activities in the communities of different social economic status and social groups. The module is to expose students to the real community living in the real life situation
HOW IT ALL STARTED
There were three selection that were PPR Seri Berembang “In search of Learning Space”, Kebun-kebun Bangsar and also REX KL. We decided as a group to choose to join the project of an experiential market with REX KL. This option was the most appealing to me as it involves a lot of interaction with the community and revitalizing the long lost culture in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur. The former REX KL cinema is our start of understanding how Petaling Street was shaped today.
We would take the LRT at SS15 to go to the Pasar Seni Station, a total of 13 station and almost an hour ride to reach Chinatown.
Walking through small alleys was eventful to see how the locals run their businesses in the midst of the urban city.
Petaling Street packed with people on weekends and lesser on weekdays, finding traits behind stalls was adventurous.
We came by many shops and even an old building along Petaling Street, the older generation still runs the shops and continue running its business until today. Some even opened since the 1980s.
Observing chestnuts being roasted brings significance to the street. The subtle details of the street which makes up Chinatown's identity.
On our way back, we would overlook the cityscape above the LRT station. With high rise buildings contrasting with the shophouses below, this is how the city have grown throghout the years.
AIM FOR EXPERIENTIAL MARKET
DISCOVER
Open our eyes wide and finding for special traits and traditional traits from Chinatown, walking along alleys around Petaling Street to discover potential vendor. Sweat and effort were poured out to search for the suitable trait.
LEARN AND OBSERVE
Time to learn and observe how to carry out the trait. How it was before and how it is now. To compare what is different and to embrace or to hate is questionable in this advanced era.
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
Share the amazing things to everyone around you and how we felt on the trait itself, encouraging more youngsters to appreciate the work of art of the trait. Experience is then translated into an interactive activity during the event to engage with the public.
pak tai photo studio
While walking out of Petaling Street, we came across a vintage looking photo studio signboard, which seems a trait to discover, we were discussing on the streets how we could replicate the old films. Soon, we decided to see if we could get any chance to interview the owner. In order to get a chance to film the process of him taking a picture, I decided to go for a passport photo taking in Pak Tai Photo Studio. All I know is that photo studio was once a trend of the past to take family photos.
Walking up the stairs, policemen pictures are seen all over the walls of the photo studio. Then we went in to request for a photo session and that is all how it begin.
The owner is Low Kok Kee, 67 years old, he is the second generation to run Foto Pak Tai. Foto Pak Tai has been faithfully serving the photography and printing needs of the local community since the 1940's in Chinatown, one of the oldest photo studio in Kuala Lumpur. With the advent of the digital age and a rapidly fluctuating appetite of the young and hip, Pak Tai is a business in decline. This slowly forgotten trait is worth reminding and reminiscing.
Pak Tai Photo Studio made me realise that sometimes the appreciation of the community for culture changes when technology changes and this is the downside of rapid development of a city. Sooner or later these old traits would not be in existent anymore in the future.
D&P DRESS MAKING
Located along Petaling Street, we found this old building which seems uninviting, then we went on and explore the shops. Came by this shop with a 90s vintage vibe, hanging many cheongsams that displays at the front window of the shop, this is D&P Dress Making, The owner, Joanna dedicated her years in Chinatown and have been running her business for almost 40 years.
She studied in an academy and graduated at 1980 in Hong Kong and then established the shop herself in the same year.
Even though she mainly sews Cheongsam from scratch for wedding occasions, she also does kebaya and working suits for women. Sometimes, she also sew for the fashion design students who sends their design to her. “No one wanted or really have the patience to learn sewing, they just want to design.”, Joanna mentioned
At first, we were reluctant to approach her to ask and interview her about her talent, but soon after she was kind enough to talk about her past stories and we even got a chance to try on her handmade cheongsams. We realised how pretty details were on cheongsams and how people tends forgets about the elegance of wearing a cheongsam nowadays. We decided to go for this trait and try to create an experience out of this traditional trait.
Week 5: PROPOSAL TIME
26TH SEPTEMBER 2018
Wednesday 2.00pm
We produced an initial proposal to talk about our chosen traits to Ar. Sze Ee. We gave ideas and brainstormed many different experiences to be translated in the experiential market.
However, some ideas were not convincing and had to change into a different series of activities and objective to reach out to the audience.
CSI
Meeting
Another meeting was arranged with Ar. Shin where it took place in the studio at Taylor's. We discussed on each vendors and create solid ideas to be carried out in this event. was nerve-wrecking as we only have limited days to the event date.
Trial &Error
As we decided on our final decision to laser cut earrings, we encountered many problems along the way. Material was not solid enough, the laser cut machine didn't cut through, faulty designs. Struggled but achieved something even bigger when all went well at the end.
Shopping
We created a shopping list and a budget. We bought many things under budget like props from thrift stores, cloth from Kamdar, paint, and other materials. It was hard to get stuff for a limited budget but we eventually pulled through.
Painting
A gradient mural is all that we need for a backdrop, we decided to create a backdrop of our own for our photo booth. It was fun mixing paint and creating the effect on cloth. We used mural paint to colour the cloth that we bought from Kamdar.
 Mock-up of items |  Items being reviewed |
|---|---|
 Us holding flyers of the event |  Ongoing presentation |
 Visit at venue, REX KL |
Week 8
21st October 2018
Sunday 2.00pm
Sunday afternoon we gathered at Geographers Cafe to present our final mock-up setup to the committees of REX KL. The entire team came prepared and we presented group by group. It was nerve-wrecking as we are presenting to the main committee of REX KL.
Fortunately, they bought the idea and we just need to go towards the production phase before the event.
Feedback session was also given for the overall event schedule, publicity, marketing of event and posters too. The final poster was produced by Ellyn and was beautifully made for the event
And finally the event was something to be anticipated but we just have to keep things rolling.
Event name; Rex*periential Market
Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/554281448366441/
1½ cups
Butter
paint
Cheongsam plywood
oriental earrings
3 cups
Blueberries
3 cups
Blueberries
3 cups
Flour
plain red background
gradient background
props
1½ cups
Butter
WEEK 9 FINAL DECISION
28th October 2018
D&P Dress Making
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Painting laser cut cheongsam plywood, a choice of 5 desgins. Arcylic paint is provided at the booth.
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Selling laser-cut oriental earrings that replicates the cheongsam patterns and significance of Chinese culture. Choose from 6 different designs and make it yours
PAK TAI PHOTO STUDIO
"Pose like your grandparents"
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A photobooth with two choices of backdrop- plain wine red or sunset gradient classic background
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A free photo service that is taken with digital camera and would be emailed to participants
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Polaroid with laser-cut polaroid frame with engravings of Rex*periential market
Week 10- Production stage
I learnt that laser cut needs more time to produce 100 pairs of oriental earrings, 60 polaroid frames and over 50 plywood cheongsams. We worked in the laser cutting room from 9am-6pm and I would never underestimate the time taken for production and laser cutting. I was in charge of all the laser cutting, and it wasn't easy as I encountered many problems like it did not cut through or faulty engravings. These seems impossible until its done.
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REX*PERIENTIAL MARKET 2018
#REXTU18
ITS FINALLY HERE!
It is finally the day! We woke up really early to reach the venue to set up for the event. Half in me feels excited and another half nervous, we just hope that the event would go on smoothly. We set up the backdrop, decorations and other items on both our booths.
The event started at 10am sharp, we then approach customers and invite them to our booth. We too explained the traits and importance of both booths.
We were worried at first that the crowd is little at the first half of the event. But by lunch time, REX KL was filled with outsiders, even foreigners that came for the event. We were delighted to know that the event was a successful one.
SMILES AND LAUGHTER MADE IT WORTHWHILE
I was in charged of the photo booth taking instant Polaroid pictures for customers. We were delighted to see customers love pictures taken and also their memories taken during our event. It definitely put on smiles on their faces as they pose for photos. We even got comments that our initiation of this project is very meaningful for all Malaysians, no matter old or young. The laughter of hilarious poses from couples, groups are what we anticipated and it was a dream come true.
Personal Reflection
This has been a long, confusing but satisfying journey since the first briefing of the project. First of all, I could not have done it without my team, whom dedicated and supported each other whenever we are doing this project. Their cheerful and positive mindset allowed the process to be so much more exciting.
This module allowed me to be exposed to the public and to engage their culture and identity that only Chinatown has, that made me realize to look into the community even when design for the people. Although it was hard to manage the time for this module and also our core subjects, I have gain much more interaction with others apart from our hectic architecture submissions every week. We reluctantly accepted to join this project and we were determined to end it with a good ending. This module exposed me to looking things in many different perspective, to slow down and look at our surrounding, sometimes forgetting the values of the existing place that we were once familiar with, like Chinatown, a street that is slowly forgotten.
It was a memorable journey where we tolerated and learnt from each other. I learnt to come up with event schedules, budget, management of team and engaging with a bigger committee group. We as future generation needs to appreciate the old roots of the past in order to learn from the mistakes and also its importance.
