studio 25
designresearchprojectpublication
shop | kedaiUniquely produced items and publications from the studio. Selected items are only available at selected retailers at present. They include special editions of the Cycling Map, selected hand-painted sign series, reports, and photobooks. Some of the items are available for online purchases via associate vendors.
20.10.2023
> contact jclim.studio25 [a] gmail.com

Tempok Pelendong Ang– Shima Sidek / studio 25 / 2023 / photo book
Recent indigenous fine art photography graduate, Shima Sidek, uses photography as a means to express her indigeneity and question her relationship with the environment in the modern circumstances of self and tribe. Two sections monologue.
Shima’s proportion 160 x 240mm, photo book, 2 section book, 48 pages, section bind, 240 & 140gsm V-silk. Hand-weaved cover, Multi-lingual in Jakun tribe language, Malay, English and Traditional Chinese Script.
<available – Sunda Shelves>

publication

Studio 25 produced books and print-based publishing ranging from advocacy, urbanist reports, mapping data, photo books and design & art-based publications.

photo maquette & art book- photography, monologue, project-themed photobook maquette, special editions, art book.

report & journal– urbanist, art project, grant- Art grant reports, street audit, urbanists recommendations, pilot projects, studies and findings, photography journals

On Three Wheels / studio 25 / 2023 / Research article
Research on the tricycle, Beca of Kuala Lumpur by Dennis Ong, translated into Chinese traditional by Rumah Attap collective and with additional exhibition reflection writeup from Cheng Kang of P320 Pusat Komuniti, Johor, Low Chia Ming of Ruang Kongsi library, Penang and Wey Jin, Rumah Attap Collective, Kuala Lumpur.
<available soon>

The Invisible Future, Facing the Visible Past– Jeffrey Lim
Photobook Exhibition essay.
<available as free accompaniment with Kanta Manuscript 20 book>

Kanta Manuscript 20- Jeffrey LimPhotobook showcasing a selection of 20 portrait prints made during the Kanta Portraits project between 2015 and 2019. They are of indigenous people from Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Taiwan, and Japan, mainly of two major language groups, Austroasiatic and Austronesian. Together with the project description & artist statement, each portrait is accompanied with Jeffrey Lim's understanding of the sitter, on indigeneity and citizenship, of spirituality and alter-narratives . This manuscript is intended as an introduction to the collection of portraits and studies made over the span of the project.

<available at Ilham Gallery Giftshop, Zontiga, Youhe bookshop, Taipei>

Cycling Kuala Lumpur Poster Map Cycling Kuala Lumpur campaign & the Bicycle Map Project are independent initiatives that started in 2012. The map highlights bicycle routes for KL city which were compiled and ridden by local cycling volunteers. This map hopes to act as a guide and journey planner for cyclists. Apart from looking into the safety and connectivity, it hopes to open up Kuala Lumpur into becoming a cycle-able city for everyone.
These printed maps (2017) are printed on FSC certified paper 90 gsm Shiruku White Semi-Coated, by a FSC certified printer. Look out for the unique certification FSC number on the map to track down where the paper was sourced from. http://www.forestsustainability.org/
Cycling Route Map of Kuala Lumpur at a scale of 1:15,000, printing proof, plus FREE Folded Map included. Stamped and numbered (limited 200 copies) mail ready tube size 71 x 4.2 cm Ø.

prints

map & data–cultural, geospatial, physical. cycling advocacy, community base maps, street survey, audit & mapping on GIS shapefiles

Head- Ubat Sakit Gigi This design has a mixture between Western and Asian elements, although the content is paracetamol. The sectionised drawing of the head is adapted from medical diagram together with the uppercase title on ribbon are both major elements that establishes formality. This pack was stapled to a boxboard backing that held multiple packs. Found in Bidor, Perak, 2010. It costs RM0.50¢. 16.5 x 20” / 2013 <SOLD>

Bicycle- Sturmey Archer Malaysia once had an entire industry manufacturing bicycles and there were many local brands. Sturmey Archer was British-made accessory and only available on higher models or as an upgrade. It was rare to find Asians modelled on bicycles in early advertisements and especially of women, wearing pants. Found from archives, Kuala Lumpur & Singapore. 16.5 x 36” / 2012 <SOLD>

Thumbs- Hand Perfected Thumbs gesture / Pollice verso This graphic symbol has many alternative meanings and is used on many products. Abstracted from a toothpick packaging, this gesture has etching elements and finds its origins from the Roman era. It can interestingly be orientated as a thumbs down too. Found in Petaling Jaya Old Town, Selangor, 2012. 13 x 15” / 2014 <SOLD>

hand-painted signs

Sign-making series Since 2012 the studio has been collecting old common sundry products still found in little shops, as a study into a vernacular graphic language. The design on these items are abstracted to highlight the basic elements. Painted on salvaged wood, each sign is a play of how imagery, languages and symbols cumulate to local context, nostalgia, uniquely identifiable to us in this region.
Materials Acrylic paint, watercolour, ink painted on salvaged wood from torn-down villages north of the city, Sentul & Gombak.

Cockerel- Kakaydao ไก่ไก่ดาว The Great / Star Cockerel is of Thai origins, where cock-fighting is still an important part of their culture. This cigarette rolling paper largely embodies this spirit in it’s brand, also reflective with the deep red used, in relation to the comb of the rooster. Found in Dato’ Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, 2012. 16.5 x 15” / 2013 <SOLD>

234 / Dji Sam Soe Abstracted off a cigarette packaging that exemplifies the unique fusion of meanings and context between cultures. The decorated initials of the founder and brand name, the phonetic Hokkien dialect translation of ‘234’ to ‘Dji Sam Soe’, crescent and nine stars of religious & numerical prosperity, and the three main scripts, Arabic, Brahmic and Roman. 15.5 x 36” / 2012 <SOLD>

Flying Wheel– Wings Bicycle / Lamp Originating from P.R. China, this is the graphics for a battery-operated bicycle lamp which can be used as a hand torch. This is from a bygone era when bicycles were regulated to have illuminated front lights. ‘Cycle’ sign series is from the Village Bicycle Workshop archives of bicycle parts. Found in Gombak, Malaysia, 2013. 20 x 16.5” / 2014 <SOLD>

Lock- Wing Originating from P.R. China, this is a lock used specifically for bicycles. It has Latin alphabets (English), Simplified Chinese and Arabic scripts for internal and external markets. Interestingly the scripts are the only description and indication of the product use. Found in Gombak, Malaysia, 2013. 16.5 x 15” / 2014 <SOLD>

Bulb / Swan Originating from P.R. China. Many brands from the then Communist State of China were of the same, many mimicking each other. When marketed for export, trading companies categorise by goods rather than by brand. ‘Cycle’ sign series is from the Village Bicycle Workshop archives of bicycle parts. Found in PJ old Town, Malaysia, 2012. 21 x 13” / 2014 <SOLD>

Flying Wheel– Bicycle Lamp Bicycle / Lamp Originating from P.R. China, this is the graphics for a battery-operated bicycle lamp which can be used as a hand torch. This is from a bygone era when bicycles were regulated to have illuminated front lights. ‘Cycle’ sign series is from the Village Bicycle Workshop archives of bicycle parts. Found in Gombak, Malaysia, 2013. 16.5 x 15” / 2013 <SOLD>

Activism– Kayuh Cycle Multi-lingual & symbol sign series were advocacy signs made for the cycling campaign prior to the 2013 elections. Five signs were made containing the words: Change, Cycle, Freedom, Imagine and Vote, mimicking the ‘Danger’ sign from our colonial past. The Tamil translation errors was from a primary-educated student while the Punjabi language was omitted. 14.5 x 26” / 2013 <SOLD>

Activism– Ubah Change Multi-lingual & symbol sign series were advocacy signs made for the cycling campaign prior to the 2013 elections. Five signs were made containing the words: Change, Cycle, Freedom, Imagine and Vote, mimicking the ‘Danger’ sign from our colonial past. The Tamil translation errors was from a primary-educated student while the Punjabi language was omitted. 2013 <SOLD>

Activism– Bebas Freedom Multilingual & symbol sign series were advocacy signs made for the cycling campaign prior to the 2013 elections. Five signs were made containing the words: Change, Cycle, Freedom, Imagine and Vote, mimicking the ‘Danger’ sign from our colonial past. The Tamil translation errors was from a primary-educated student while the Punjabi language was omitted. 2013 <SOLD>

Activism– Bayang Imagine Multi-lingual & symbol sign series were advocacy signs made for the cycling campaign prior to the 2013 elections. Five signs were made containing the words: Change, Cycle, Freedom, Imagine and Vote, mimicking the ‘Danger’ sign from our colonial past. The Tamil translation errors was from a primary-educated student while the Punjabi language was omitted. 2013 <SOLD>

Activism– Undi Vote Multilingual & symbol sign series were advocacy signs made for the cycling campaign prior to the 2013 elections. Five signs were made containing the words: Change, Cycle, Freedom, Imagine and Vote, mimicking the ‘Danger’ sign from our colonial past. The Tamil translation errors was from a primary-educated student while the Punjabi language was omitted. 2013 <SOLD>

Lantern Brand Coffee Powder Registered trademark of a local coffee roaster belonging to a Hainanese Kopitiam Sin Hoi How, established in the 1940s. The brand have oriental ornament lantern, embellished with two coffee beans. Located on High Street, still there today. 2013 <unavailable>

Activism– Bengkel Basikal Kampong Village Bicycle Workshop Cycling movement signboard. Used during programs and activities from Film-screenings, bicycle rebuilding workshops, community gatherings and mapping work. 2013 <unavailable>