Craft Cultural Complex, located at Jalan Conlay (the business district of Kuala Lumpur), is a Malaysian art and handicraft emporium. It is managed by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation. Various cultural activities take place over here.
The Craft Cultural Complex is modeled after the Sultan of Malay's palace. The building is surrounded by over 21 acres of picturesque landscape. The main attractions of the place are the Craft Museum, Artists' Colony, The Craft Village, and the Karyaneka Craft Boutique. The main aim of the museum is to promote Malaysian art and craft.
The Museum of Art and Handicrafts
The Craft Museum showcases traditional art and handicrafts of Malaysia. While going through the museum, one will find beautiful silverware, embossed with intricate designs, brassware decorated with nature motifs, colorful baskets weaved out of mengkuang, rattan and pandan leaves, and various other ceramic, metal and textile works.
A brief history of the production process of various art and handicrafts is also shown here. Among the processes portrayed are the makings of songket cloth, batik printing, making of silverware, wood carving, boat and pottery making. Songket cloth richly woven with gold and silver threads was earlier used for royal ceremonies.
The Making of Art Objects
|
The Craft Village provides a first hand experience of the making of various art objects. These include sessions on hand-drawn batik, ceramic ware, the manufacturing of pewter, and intricate wood carving. The Craft Village thus provides an in-depth knowledge into the manufacturing process of Malaysian handicrafts.
Cultural Affairs
The Artists' Colony offers an opportunity to Malaysian artists to exhibit their talent and expertise. Cultural programs based on traditional Malaysian themes are hosted over here. The Artists' Colony is equipped with 11 galleries. It also has 22 resident artists.
Visitor's Delight
The Karyaneka Craft Boutique offers exquisite craft items for sale. Craft products range from room décor, traditional textiles, souvenirs, and decorative items. The intricate bamboo work and bead carving of the tribes of Sabah and Sarawak coupled with the Pua weavings and the Mogah textiles are a pleasure to the eye.
A lot of events are hosted for the tourists in the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex. The "National Handicrafts Day" and "Love Malaysian Crafts" are celebrated annually. Cultural events are hosted on a weekly basis at Lamam Wau. Art and Craft demonstrations are held regularly at the Craft Village.
The Craft Cultural Complex is an embodiment of Malaysian craft and culture that had passed down the decades. The traditional art and culture of Malaysia are preserved here with intense care.
|
