EXPLANATION OF TITLE

 

My work over the past few years has often been described as “pod like”, meaning the pieces resemble seed pods or sometimes shellfish.  Researching what might be a good central theme for the Hilton entry piece, we found that Malaysia is quite famous for its variety of fruit.  A design for the sculpture evolved from that fact.

 

A proper title took longer to pinpoint since I was sure that it should be a Malay word or phrase. Luckily, an acquaintance of mine nearby, Rachel Childs is Malay and her mother, now living in Valdosta, Georgia USA gave me the perfect description.  I explained to her that the sculpture portrayed an opening fruit or flower bud.  She very quickly gave us the   verb MENGEMBANG, and “KEMBANGAN” the noun.  Both words pertain to the exact moment in time of a bud bursting into flower.  We chose “MENGEMBANG” since it is a more active, motion oriented term.  An added meaning of the word pertains to that phase of the moon where it changes from “about to be full” to “full”.  My understanding is that this connotation of mengembang is held in very high esteem by the people of Malaysia.  For that reason I feel that the title “MENGEMBANG” has exactly the correct “feel” and prestige.

I would like to thank several people that helped me make "Mengembang" a reality.  This project took just over a year to complete and without the patience and determination of a whole lot of folks, it simply could not have been a success.

 

• Ms. Vashti Gonda of Art Incorporate, Sydney, Australia for securing this commission for me.

• Mr. Katsumi Tada, Tokyo Japan...owner/developer of the Hilton and Le Meridien Hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  He is now hopefully the proud owner of "Mengembang"

• My friends Dean Thompson and Tom Stevenson for their advice and willingness to listen to my often nutty ideas.  Dean, in particular for accompanying me to Kuala Lumpur for the installation......as always, his abilities and patience were indispensable  We had a blast.... 

• My friends at Vega Metals in Durham, NC .... and in particular, Frances Vega, for his expertise, waterjet knowledge, programming, and incredible attention to detail.

• My fishermen/mechanic friends at Carver Machine Works in Washington, NC for their hospitality....and in particular, Stuart Asby and Jeff Woolard. Jeff patiently did all the welding for the stainless steel prototype and later the final version in Titanium....his welds became an invisible tribute to his expertise.  Why everyone took time away from fishing to help some sculptor, I'll never know.....but thanks.

• Jeff McCann at Craters and Freighters in Greensboro, NC...Jeff and his crew came to my studio and did a superior job crating "Mengembang" and then organized its delivery to Charleston, SC and 40' container voyage to Port Klang, Malaysia.

• Maersk SeaLand Malaysia, and in particular, Ms. Janet Lee whose diligence got "Mengembang" customs clearance as Sculpture, as opposed to simply Titanium (another story) upon arrival.

• The staff of the Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur for their patience with the extended stay (and laundry) of "the 2 American sculptors"......this is a 5-Star hotel that treated Dean and I with incredible generosity.  How wonderful it was to return from work to such luxurious surroundings and hospitality......and international food.  Special thanks to Ligiman Babba who is now a good friend that amongst many other things, introduced Dean and I to Durian fruit, Masan the East Indian chef, Anwar, Razziman, and Azziman for their curiosity, love of food and conversation.
   

• Jim Leech, Professor at NC State Engineering Dept., Raleigh, NC ....and Richard Kaydos-Daniels of Kaydos-Daniels Engineering, Raleigh, NC for their calculations, patience, hands-on puttering and appreciation of artistic ventures.
   

• All my new friends at Daisho/Daito Asia Development in Kuala Lumpur....

• Choong Fook Man, who has assisted me for over a year with care, technical specs, advice, support, money...you name it.  Fook Man is now a special friend to both Dean and I.

• Hiroyuki Stephen Fukuda, a true gentleman and entertainer...and certainly most generous with his time and advice

• Katsutoshi Furukoji ..... Executive Vice President of Daito/Daisho

• Hisakatsu Koyama, head of the Artwork Team at Daito/Daisho ....truly a professional who helped in so many different ways.

• Alex P.H. Foo Construction Coordinator...thankfully, one of those guys that knows a bit about everything...and everyone.

• Wong Yew Loong, who along with his company Symbol Steel, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia rescued me with inventiveness, craftsmanship, and expertise.  May he safely use my Leatherman from time to time.

• Hideaki Ogata, Design Manager and Interior Designer

• Tomiya Ide, Project Coordinator

• Ishak Bullah, professional Crane and Skylift operator with Yew Lee Trading and Crane Services...I cannot thank Ishak enough for volunteering his help and expertise. I believe he could work his way out of any problem 

• Andy Ong and Mr. P.C. Tan, Marketing Executive with Water-Cut Specialist, Sdn Bhd, Selangor Darul Ehsan.  Mr. Tan not only organized several facets of the installation, but also created my titanium plaque.

• Phone Kyaw Kyaw and his nephew That Zaw Htoo for being there on the job every day helping with all sorts of things.  They definitely made the project go smoothly.

• Prospect Ace, Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur...and in particular, Tan Joon Say (Michael)  and Wong Kok Kuen for their help with the pump and water rotation adjustment.

• And lastly, Mr. Richard Hoo....the first person I met in Malaysia 2 years ago that gradually became a most helpful and trusted friend.