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Kenyalang Park, with over 50 years of history, is the first satellite town of Kuching and one of the most familiar areas to Kuchingites. As a result, Kenyalang Park holds a special place in everyone’s memory. This inspired the 'Kenyalang Park Collective Memories' exhibition, a collaborative effort between Kuching and Taiwan.

Eight students from the Department of Architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University—Shih Chen Hsi Ching, Wu Yun Chen, Ding Bo Siang, Tsai Mu Hua, Zhong Ding Hua, Chao Yu Hsuan, Chen Pin Yan, and Yang An Chi—under the guidance of Associate Professor Eric Chen and teaching assistant Wang Jing Hua, spent the past three weeks conducting fieldwork in Kenyalang Park.

Organised in collaboration with local architects and cultural historians, the exhibition received wholehearted support from the local Kenyalang Park Community Association. Community leaders such as Penghulu Tan Heng Kee and Kapitan Sim Bee Kim played an active role in connecting the students with interviewees. The students’ schedule was packed with interviews of local residents, as well as measuring, photographing, and drawing, leaving them with little time for travel.

The 'Kenyalang Park Collective Memories' exhibition was completed just before the students' departure. A simple yet heartfelt opening ceremony took place, attended by local residents and various friends. In his speech, Associate Professor Eric Chen praised the Kenyalang Park community for its distinctive character and warm hospitality. He expressed his gratitude to the locals for their generosity, which greatly enriched the students' experience.

The students also shared that locals generously invited them for meals and sometimes refused payment when they bought things. They were continually given pastries and cookies, which made them feel the genuine warmth of the Kuching people. The students were so touched by this hospitality that they are already looking forward to returning next year. On the morning of the exhibition, some locals arrived early to greet the students, take photos, and chat as if they were old friends.

During their visit, the students not only interviewed numerous locals and residents but also, thanks to arrangements by the renowned architect Mike Boon, had the opportunity to meet with Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. They reported their findings to the Mayor and conducted a thorough field study, including visits to Chung Hua Middle School No.1, SJK Chung Hua No. 5, and the San Seng Tong Buddhist Association.

Despite the limited time and this being the students’ first visit to Kuching, the exhibition showcases their meticulous and thoughtful work. The detailed sketches, accompanied by the names and signatures of interviewees and explanations of the distinct phases of Kenyalang’s development, provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the community’s unique characteristics and the interactions between its people.

'Kenyalang Park Collective Memories' exhibition is just the beginning. Future projects are in the planning stages, aiming to record and preserve more stories and historical photographs of Kenyalang. We believe that bringing together everyone’s collective memories can create a lasting impact. We also encourage more interested individuals to contribute to shaping the future of this community, infusing it with greater creativity and vitality.

GALLERY

Exhibition open days:
14/9/2024 (Sat) – 21/9/2024 (Sat) – 28/9/2024 (Sat) – 5/10/2024 (Sat)

Location | Google Maps:
Above Magnum 4D Kenyalang Park

Photo credits:
一起吃风 My Easy Moment