If you travel Malaysia Capital and make a plan to visit Tugu Negara, so don’t ignore ASEAN Sculpture Garden in Kuala Lumpur.
Location
It is a beautiful garden along Parlimen Road, about 100 metres to the National Monument (Tugu Negara) as well as very close to the Lake Gardens and 15-minute walk from the Masjid Jamek LRT station.
What to explore in Asean Sculpture Garden in Kuala Lumpur
You should spend 15 minutes take snap of pictures as the garden features the works created by award-winning local artists of the six founding Association of Southeast Asian Nations, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei.
The garden was officially opened in 1987 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN. It’s quite interesting if you know more about the meaning behind every works as there is few information at site.
Growth (Malaysia)
It shapes twenty slabs in a curving movement from a low profile to the upwards, symbolising the growth of ASEAN during the first twenty years, created by Syed Ahmad Jamal with material including Malaysia marble slabs on reinforced concrete.
Towards Peace (Singapore)
There are six sculptures symbolising the progress in unity, growth, peace and harmony of ASEAN with 6 members together, created by Han Sai Por with Malaysia Marble.
The Gate Of Harmony (Indonesia)
The Gate symbolises communication among ASEAN countries: independent wings and pillars represent the interdependence of the nations while the concrete block implies the nations create communication, conference and harmony. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and created by Dolorosa Sinaga.
Barong-Barong (Philippines)
A modern interpretation of old type architecture popular in ASEAN region, made by Jerusalino V.Araos and of many material including steel and glass.
Progress (Thailand)
The artist use stainless Steel – an industrial material to emphasize the industrial progress of ASEAN. The maker: Itthi Khongkhakul
The Asean Dance (Brunei Darussalam)
It’s simple: to preserved the old and welcome the new. Created by Abu Bakar bin Abdul Rahman
Final thought
The garden is free entrance, beautifully green and well-maintained, so most of travelers would take a visit on their way to National monument, but it will just an ordinary visit due to the lack of relevant information on structures.
In addition, these ones seem also in need of some restoration and sustain like the garden. It’s good to understand the success of the region in over the last few decades, which will match perfectly with the surrounding history site.