| Shedding a light on the Federal Constitution |
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| Wednesday, 24 September 2008 | |
Black and White: A Festival in the Annex, Central Market features a
text installation on the Constitutional Amendments, done in
collaboration with the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ). CIJ
undertook the research and the production of the materials which
attempts to shine a light on the nearly 700 changes made to the Federal
Constitution in the span of 51 years, as part of the CIJ's public
awareness work.
Among the key articles amended are pertaining to sedition,
citizenship, religion, judges retirement, federation, and emergency
powers. These and others are presented in their original and amended
forms without any commentary, as not to interfere with the independence
of viewers' thought. However, there is an added twist of interactivity.
Viewers are asked to vote for their favourite amendments by attaching a
sticker on the exhibit and there is a viewers' message wall about their
ideal Federal Constitution. The messages are open for viewing as with
"votes" on the Constitution.
On why the installation is in monochrome, Pang Khee Teik, Manager of the Annex Gallery explains
that it is to pose a question to the often cited wisdom that the
fundamentals of the country has been put in "black and white" solidity
and clarity by virtue of being in the Constitution.
"Are they really in 'black and white' since the Constitution had been amended so many times?" he asked.
This,
and other questions on the specific amendments are expected to be
discussed in a public talk slated on 28 September. Organized by CIJ to
mark the International Rights to Know Day, it is to be held in the same
space as the installation, for the discussion on the limit to the
Article 10 and its impact on the right to information. CIJ Executive
Director Gayathry Venkiteswaran and Empower member Maria Chin Abdullah
are confirmed as panelists.
The Black and White: A Festival also features monochrome photo exhibition and poster exhibition on the Malay cinema. The festival was launched on September 19 and will be running until October 5.
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"Are they really in 'black and white' since the Constitution had been amended so many times?" he asked.

