Aesthetic Perception: Visual Complexity and Art Knowledge of Design Motifs Applied on Pua Kumbu Textile

Wan Juliana, Emeih Wahed (2023) Aesthetic Perception: Visual Complexity and Art Knowledge of Design Motifs Applied on Pua Kumbu Textile. PhD thesis, Institute of Creative Arts and Technology.

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Abstract

This study examines the human aesthetic perception of the legendary Pua Kumbu textile. The research problem is introduced by highlighting the unique characteristics of the textile and its cultural significance. Specifically, the study investigates how individuals perceive the aesthetic qualities of the textile, and what factors may influence these perceptions. Human aesthetic perception differs based on their understanding of visual complexity and visual art knowledge. An effective aesthetic perception process may contribute to a positive aesthetic perception, influenced by their environment, knowledge, and cultural perspective, among other factors. This study explores the perceivers' aesthetic perception of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of Pua Kumbu design motifs. This study has four objectives: to measure the aesthetic perception of participants about the design motifs, examine the aesthetic perception of visual complexity, investigate the design motifs’ art knowledge among weavers and academics, and formulate a novel framework for safeguarding the ICH of Pua Kumbu textile. This legendary textile belongs to the Iban indigenous tribe in Malaysia and is sacredly safeguarded by the Iban people, particularly the older generation. The Pua Kumbu is weaved beautifully with design motifs inspired by nature, Iban culture, ancestors, and mythology. However, the complexity of the Pua Kumbu design motifs contributes to the current lack of interest in this art form, particularly among Sarawak's younger population, tourists, and people of other races. As a result, this beautiful art form has been misused and neglected. The researcher employed a triangulation concurrent mixed-method design, including quantitative and qualitative data collection. Through a quantitative approach, 400 participants were required to respond to the Art Reception Survey-Revised (ARS-Revised) questionnaire. In contrast, two phases of interviews were conducted among five Pua Kumbu weavers and four Malaysian academics from the field of textile, art, and culture through the qualitative approach. The perceivers' positive aesthetic perception of Pua Kumbu textile was influenced by gender, background, and the participants' art knowledge. The visual complexity of the design motifs comprises five distinct categories: flora, fauna, humanoid, abstract, and contemporary. Each category has unique features determined by the Pua Kumbu weaver's creativity in arranging the design motifs. The weaver's encrypted "message" was embedded in the Pua Kumbu textile. It was found that Pua Kumbu textiles do not receive proper community recognition. The community's acceptance of this beautiful textile is still minimal, and more attention is needed, particularly in "feeding" the perceivers with Iban local knowledge. The art knowledge of Pua Kumbu’s ICH should be disseminated to the general public to preserve this historical textile. One significant contribution of this study is the development of the AKVC Aesthetic Perception Framework, which strives to eliminate the knowledge barrier while protecting the ICH of Pua Kumbu textile by integrating artificial intelligence (AI). Publicizing the ICH of Pua Kumbu textile and adopting digital technology can increase community acceptance, eliminate knowledge barriers, and contribute to the global preservation of this "unspoken" but profound knowledge, enabling Pua Kumbu to make its mark as a unique textile.

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