The Local Product Design with Motifs Cultural Khmer in Northeast

Abstract

            The research entitled The Local Product Design with Khmer Cultural Motifs in Isan was examined and experimented to discover techniques and processes as guidelines for creation of new local products. Typical Khmer cultural motifs acquired from idols displaying in Khmer cultural museums were used as data for this study. The locals in Udon Thani Province were also asked to participate in creation of these products, leading to five product categories divided into 25 pieces. Patterns of these products were with various applications which the combination of some modern techniques and original means were included. Therefore, the local products designed were as contemporary products in accordance with: concepts of western philosophical design focusing on utility rather than shapes, concepts of eastern philosophical design emphasizing on empty space, and simplicity as nature. Results revealed that:

1. Characteristics of motifs acquired from Khmer cultural idols in Isan were designed using original means – in other words, there was extraction to form motifs. Motifs from three eras, i.e. Papuan Art, Angor Wat Art, and Bayon Art divided into three parts, i.e. headdresses, belts, and necklaces were copied and extracted from three-dimension shape to two-dimension shape. Inspiration of this design was from belief in motifs shown in idols, referring to paying homage to gods of Brahmanism according to ideal belief. Each part of the motifs was analyzed and synthesized to gain contemporary local products.


2. Factors influencing local product creation and problems of local product design were found related to humans. Consequently, designing these products was necessary to consider about: its usefulness or functions since each category of the products had been different in utility and humans’ taste, sense of beauty because all the five product categories were with explicit art beauty as shown in the products’ Khmer cultural motifs combined with the past and the present perfectly.       


3. The design of these local products was a model for the locals in five communities of Udon Thani Province. All the five product categories conveyed Isan historical art more explicitly. In addition, it was also guidelines for conserving and developing local products sustainably and enduringly.