Stateless Mind Pavilion: An Exploration of Belonging, Displacement, and Rebellion

  

The Stateless Mind Pavilion is more than just a space—it is a dynamic hub of interaction and dialogue. Designed to foster cross-cultural exchange and understanding, the Pavilion hosts an array of interactive events, including artist talks, workshops, performances, and panel discussions. Its mission is rooted in facilitating meaningful conversations about belonging, identity, and displacement, themes that resonate deeply through the "In Between Worlds" exhibition. Guided by the artist and curator’s narratives, visitors are invited to embark on a visual and emotional journey, discovering the complexities of existing between multiple worlds.

 

Origins of the Stateless Mind Pavilion

The Stateless Mind Pavilion finds its roots in the Stateless Mind Festivals, organized by Jambatan. Jambatan itself was founded in 2009 by Pia Poulsen and I, as a bridge between artistic communities in Malaysia and Denmark. This vision was brought to life when Nur Hanim Khairuddin—now the General Manager of PORT—and I co-organized the Malaysian Art Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Art Roskilde and Gallery Shambala in Copenhagen in 2010. These early efforts planted the seeds for what would later evolve into the Stateless Mind Pavilion.

After a brief hiatus, I reactivated Jambatan in 2019, organizing the Stateless Mind Festival for the first time. This resurgence brought a renewed focus on challenging conventional boundaries and celebrating the richness of cross-cultural narratives. However, the true genesis of the Stateless Mind Pavilion came during my collaboration with PORT for their participation in the 59th Venice Biennale as part of a collateral event. Interestingly, while planning this, we were informed that the term "pavilion" could not be used unless it represented a national entity. This restriction became the catalyst for the Stateless Mind Pavilion.

The Stateless Mind Pavilion was officially activated during my solo show at Kapallorek. The Pavilion also showcases an archive of activities from past Stateless Mind Festivals, providing visitors with a historical context and a deeper understanding of its evolution. This marked a pivotal moment, situating the Pavilion as an evolving platform for dialogue and exchange. It will be fascinating to see how it develops in the future, continuing to challenge norms and create spaces for meaningful interaction.

 

A Rebellion Against Conformity

The Stateless Mind Pavilion was born out of a spirit of rebellion. Its creation represents a refusal to adhere to institutional rules and a declaration of independence from imposed limitations.  

In essence, the Stateless Mind Pavilion challenges the notion of conformity. It embodies the idea of making one’s own rules, charting one’s own path, and dictating one’s own journey. It questions the validity of man-made restrictions imposed by institutions, governments, or even familial expectations. By doing so, the Pavilion becomes a symbol of empowerment, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique identities and stories.

 

A Platform for Dialogue and Exchange

The Stateless Mind Pavilion serves as a sanctuary for artists, thinkers, and audiences to engage in open dialogue and to offers participants a chance to share, learn, and connect in profound ways—to create a platform for artists who live between worlds, who don’t fit into neat categories, who are constantly negotiating their place in different systems where in-betweenness is not a limitation, but a creative force.

 

Link to previous Stateless Mind Festivals:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064468159134

https://portperakvenice.wordpress.com/amir-zainorin/

 

Continuing the Journey Across Borders: A Collaboration with Ronnie Bahari

 In Across Borders, my artistic journey delves deeper into tradition and cultural storytelling through a meaningful collaboration with Ronnie Bahari, an Indigenous Semai photographer and cultural leader from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

This is not the first time Ronnie and I have worked together. During my residency at PORT Ipoh in 2022, a time when the world was just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we embarked on a project exploring the natural and cultural landscapes of Lembah Kinta. Together, we ventured into its magnificent caves, where I filmed Ronnie for a video piece titled Cave Man. The video captured the essence of those excursions and marked the beginning of our creative partnership.

Link to the video 'Cave Man'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m75kP8NDDM&t=338s

Fast forward a couple of years, when Fadly Sabran of Kapallorek invited me to organize my solo exhibition at his space in Malaysia. While I live in Copenhagen, Denmark, and only visit Malaysia for specific projects, I saw this as an opportunity to reconnect creatively with Ronnie. I envisioned including a new work in the exhibition that would not only reignite our collaboration but also pay homage to our shared history. It felt fitting to bring Kapallorek into this collaboration, as Fadly and Ronnie had previously worked together for PORT’s Venice Biennale project.

When I shared the concept of this new collaboration with Ronnie, he enthusiastically agreed. While I remained in Copenhagen, Ronnie took the lead in creating the handmade paper from pandanus leaves and then produced a couple of images inspired by the ancient cave drawings we had encountered in Lembah Kinta. In response to his imagery, I crafted accompanying text that wove together personal reflections and cultural narratives, creating a dialogue between our individual contributions. The resulting work highlights the interplay of visual and textual storytelling, honoring both the tangible and intangible elements of Malaysian heritage.

This project is more than just a creative endeavor; it is a celebration of enduring connections and shared artistry that span time and distance. It underscores the importance of preserving and reimagining traditions while fostering dialogue between local communities and global audiences. By intertwining our creative practices, Across Borders offers a tactile, visual, and emotional connection to the stories of Malaysia’s land, people, and culture.

Ronnie at his studio at Polytechnic Ungku Omar, Ipoh and Anna.