KUCHING: Over an immersive five-day journey, Borneo Laboratory convened 22 global changemakers at Think & Tink here for On Reciprocity, a transformative exploration of reciprocity as a cornerstone of collaboration, community-building and environmental stewardship.
These platforms encouraged participants to reimagine how reciprocal practices can shape innovative approaches to thinking, living and working.
“On Reciprocity was deeply inspired by a simple yet profound statement: ‘Every time we take, we give back as well’.
“This was spoken by a rattan practitioner in Kalimantan during my journey with the Serumpun project.
“Through On Reciprocity, we hope to create a ripple effect that spreads shared knowledge and inspires action, reminding us that the art of giving back must not be lost to convenience,” said Borneo Laboratory founder Wendy Teo.
The programme is made possible through the support of Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS), an annual grant initiative powered by Yayasan Hasanah in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, dedicated to preserving Malaysia’s rich arts, heritage and culture.
Apart from Borneo Laboratory’s partnership with the Good Enough Transformation (GET) by Nordisk Kulturfond, additional mobilisation support was provided by the Goethe-Institut.
“Borneo Laboratory is truly one of a kind.
“On Reciprocity creates a welcoming space where arts practitioners and climate activists can share their work authentically, forging meaningful and reciprocal connections.
“It was an incredibly enriching experience,” said Trans Europe Halles managing director Mieke Renders, one of the participants in the workshop.
The programme was launched with an intensive five-day workshop, fostering a collaborative space for reflection, knowledge exchange and co-creation of projects that embody the essence of reciprocity.
Participants engaged with reciprocity across seven dimensions, deeply interwoven with human, cultural and ecological relationships.
Through gotong-royong activities in Kampung Peros, urban pocket explorations around Kuching, and silent journey in the Fairy Cave, they examined diverse interpretations and real-world applications of reciprocity.
Named Union of Publication, Politics of Materials, and Politics of Climate Narrative, the series of seminars present the art of giving back through interactive mediums, sparking discussions surrounding their favourite publications, material sustainability and climate risks.
The On Reciprocity exhibition, hosted at Think & Tink from March 7 until June 7, will showcase works from the workshop, offering audiences a deeper understanding of reciprocity’s transformative potential.
Borneo Laboratory is also pleased to present ‘Our Climate Glossary’ as a publication, compiling thought-provoking and insightful content from each of our participants that explores the diverse landscapes of reciprocity across regions, cultures and practices.
‘Our Climate Glossary’ will be released in April.
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