Shedding a light on the Federal Constitution PDF Print E-mail
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.
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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.

b&w4.jpg"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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