(IN)TANGIBLE HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

In this paper, we will outline the processes and strategies involved in creating a traditional Malayan-Singaporean ‘kampung’ (Bahasa Melayu for village compound, although sometimes ‘kampong’ is used) as a Virtual Heritage application. Singapore today is a highly urbanised city-state, the traditional kampungs that were once housed communities around the city centre have been replaced with ‘towns’ designed around high-rise public housing, from the early 1970s onwards. Traditional kampungs can still be found in Malaysia and Indonesia. Kampung homes are constructed from wooden structures with roofs covered with palm leaves. Distinctive features are the high, sloping roof with gables at both ends and the raised floor.
Our project to recreate a virtual kampung is embedded in a larger research project (Seide, Slater, 2020) investigating the apparently lost film Pontianak (1957) (Barnard, 2011), a Malay-language horror film set in rural Malaya. An existing sequel, Sumpah Pontianak (1958) features several scenes shot on location in real kampungs as well as a studio-created. According to researcher Toh Hun Ping, it was partly filmed at Kampong Siglap on the east coast of Singapore. The Pontianak films’ narratives were set in the 19th century and feature period kampung architecture, avoiding modern zinc-roofed structures. Our project uses other Malay-language films as reference, as well as the extensive photographic collections of the National Archives of Singapore (NAS). This project presents the first virtual Malayan-Singaporean kampung for audience exploration. Our creation of the environment possesses a high level of detail that supports the visual fidelity of the experience with the ultimate goal of reaching near photorealism. Audience involvement is highly relevant for a successful Virtual Heritage application, the research team aims to further develop the virtual reconstruction into a fully inhabited village with authentically behaving and realistic appearing virtual humans.