TLS09: BERNARD CHAULY

Bernard Chauly is a Film Director and TV Series Creator who started out with a passion for theatre. Most of his work as Lighting Designer was for Five Arts Centre, working especially with Krishen Jit and Janet Pillai. Two memorable creative collaborations were made with Carolyn Lau; as co-lighting designer for Rama & Sita: Generasi Baru and as lighting designer-set designer for Family, staged in KL and Berlin. Bernard’s proud of lighting for a show called Ne Zha (Teater Muda, Five Arts Centre, 1999), an innovative puppet show that toured badminton courts of DBKL flats. Lights were made out of Milo tins. At home, he likes low-wattage bulbs, only uses fluorescent if it’s T5 and thinks halogen spots are over-recommended. His favourite film lights are called Dedo and Diva.

Bernard studied at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Goldsmiths College. His film credits include Gol & Gincu, Goodbye Boys and is currently finishing his third feature film, Pisau Cukur, in cinemas 2009.

SELAMAT DATANG KE MUZIUM LAMPU, 2009


HIGHLIGHTS:

LAST SURVIVING 100W BULB IN THE WORLD!

LAST LITRE OF USED VEGETABLE OIL NOT CONVERTED TO BIOFUEL!

ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT BULB LIT TO COMMEMORATE HISTORIC AGREEMENT BETWEEN USA & CHINA TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

LAST FAIRY LIGHT TO DANGLE FROM A TREE AROUND DATARAN MERDEKA BEFORE DISPLAY OF LIGHTS BANNED AS EXCESSIVE WASTAGE OF ELECTRICITY!

Muzium Lampu is a collection of light objects from a possible future.


A while ago, I heard that traditional 100 Watt incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in favour of low energy alternatives. Will it ‘Save The Earth’? Everyday, we hear of initiatives and options to combat climate change. All have to do our part, yes, but will it make a difference? Some would say it’s too late…

Small Initiatives vs. Major Steps. US President Barack Obama wants the world’s two biggest polluters — America and China — to form a partnership in the battle against global warming. Yes they should?! Perhaps this would be more significant than just phasing out the 100W bulb?

Whenever I cook, I’m told not to pour used cooking oil down the drain. What if it was illegal not to recycle used vegetable oil into agrofuel that could power cars? Are biofuels the way forward? If so, do we have to clear more of our forests to plant more oil palm, a source material for agro fuel?

MUZIUM LAMPU is just a small collection of pedestrian light objects to trigger some precious thought…and a few laughs about ‘what if’s’…to do with light.