About the Big Trip

A curatorial movement tracking new connections to the rooted practices
and ancestral wisdoms around the
world and linking them to a plural
web that supports a more holistic
global narrative.

Drawing together specialists, practitioners, communities and curators from around the world, we are sharing stories through modern media – podcasts, online media, articles, exhibitions and ultimately a forum – to create artistic transformation through international exchange.

Through our three pillars of purposeful sound practice, the pilgrimage trip, and the rituals of handing down, we aim to: Explore the essential existence of human beings. Re-awaken the relationship between humans and other species. Aspire to true wellness cultural production in art and design Initiated by Borneo Laboratory from Malaysia and The Corridor from Taiwan with support from the Asian Cultural Council, we want to stimulate joyful sharing, to facilitate exchange and to form the bridge between the local and the global, the material and the narrative, between communities and organisations.

Take your first step on a purposeful journey.
Join the Big Trip.

Content Producers

Ambassadors
- Abdul Walid Bin Ali (Walid Ali) Malaysia, Samarahan http://www.abdulwalidali.com/
  Walid Ali is a contemporary performance deviser, performer, and designer. He is a creative director in Luar Kotak Production, a contemporary theatre group in Malaysia. His works are mostly related to everyday life but presented in different approaches. Therefore, his performances tend to have an element of surprise that awakens his audiences' mind. He has worked with many renowned artiste since 2008. He is also an author for Selut Press and Peanutzin, besides working as performing arts practitioner. You can also find his writings at www.abdulwalidali.blogspot.com
- Adrian Jo Milang Malaysia, Bintulu (Sarawak) https://adrianjomilang.com/
  At 24 years old, Adrian is one of the youngest, most celebrated Parap and Takna’ practitioner, an oral tradition of the Kayan communities of Borneo. He is also the Community Manager at The Tuyang Initiative, where his role is in engaging cultural practitioners from the various Borneo indigenous communities and help them see the magic in their practice. He undertakes roles as assistant researcher in areas of anthropology with Sarawak Museum and regional independent researchers. He is a Kayan from Tubau (Sarawak, Borneo - Malaysia).
- Juvita Tatan Wan Malaysia, Miri (Sarawak)
  Juvita leads the team with almost 15 years experience in diverse roles such as business development, product marketing and audio visual production. Her experience in telco, major music label and advertising agency helps her in growing the team and practitioners in thinking locally and acting globally. Juvita is a Kenyah from Long San, Baram (Sarawak, Borneo - Malaysia).
- Lin, Huei-Jen Taiwan/Taitung City
  Huei-Jen Lin is the fellow of Eastern Taiwan Studies Association Culture and Arts Foundation, and the chief executive of the organization. With the academic background of global studies, her research interest mainly focuses on the issues about the ethnic cultural locality of Eastern Taiwan in response to the cultural globalization. Lin currently works on the recording/representing project of "Food Cultural Memories", in discussing the local landscape changing and returning among the food culture, environments and history. This project cooperates with different local communities, by means of recording and representing the food cultural memories from the elders in oder to conserve the traditional ecological knowledge and try to apply them at the contemporary life.
- Wendi Sia Malaysia, Selangor, Petaling Jaya https://www.gerimisart.com/
  Wendi Sia is a writer, curator, and arts organiser with an interest in indigenous arts and culture, particularly in topics such as indigenous knowledges, cosmologies, and eco-critical thoughts. In 2018, she started GERIMIS Art Project (GAP), a collaborative artistic and archiving initiative and platform that co-produces artworks and cultural content with indigenous Malaysian (Orang Asal) communities, creators, and academics.
- Yunjie Liao Taiwan / Taipei https://www.yunjieliao.com/
  Yunjie Liao is a news, op-ed and non-fiction writer who combines visual and audio elements into her storytelling. Her multinational, transcultural and interdisciplinary works often revolve around freedom, margin, conflict, misunderstanding, wrestling for expression, and the idea of “home.” Born and raised in Taiwan, Yunjie established herself as an independent journalist after working in Apple Daily and publishing an autobiography of a year-long journey in 2013. Her experiences in literary journalism, feature story and field research has enabled her to visit over 40 countries for reportage. Her independent works have earned journalism, designing and filmmaking awards. Besides storytelling, Yunjie has a passion for nature. She is a certificated lifesaver by International Life Saving Federation.
Content Contributors
- Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk Bhutan
  Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk is one of the rare advanced level Bhutanese monastics that is willing to teach full-time in Bhutan and other countries. Khenpo was born in Eastern Bhutan in 1980. He has studied and practiced Buddhism since the age of 7, and in 2001 completed a nine-year course in Buddhist studies, receiving a Master’s degree (MA) in Buddhist Philosophy from the Nyingma Institute Taktse. After completing his studies, he taught for several years, and then, due to his exceptional scholarly ability, was appointed to be the Principal of the Nyingma Institute. In 2006, the title of Khenpo (equivalent to a PhD) was conferred upon him. An expert on the teachings and ritual practices of the Dzinpa Rangdröl lineage, Khenpo has been of invaluable service to Tara Mandala, teaching and guiding residents and retreatants alike in this lineage. His beautiful voice, compassionate nature, and warm sense of humor make his teachings a delight to attend.
- John Wan Usang Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
  John is a Kenyah from Long San, Baram (Sarawak, Borneo - Malaysia). He is the Co-founder & General Manager of The Tuyang Initiative. With over 30 years experience in retail marketing with Petronas, Malaysia's national oil & gas company, John brings corporate structure, finance and management experience.
- Pasikaw Pasnanavan Taitung, Taiwan
  Pasikaw Pasnanavan is from Taitung, Taiwan. He has developed an movement that looks forward walking with a tribe since 2008. Through courses or activities he hope that more people can come and learn about Bunun, who once lived in the mountains, and has been in the mountains and forests for a long time.
- Ronnie Bahari Malaysia, Perak, Ipoh
  Ronnie Bahari is a self-trained freelance photographer based in Ipoh. From the Semai tribe, Ronnie uses his lens to depict the stories of his compatriots. His works have been exhibited locally and internationally, such as at George Town Festival, Penang and in Singapore. One of his ambitions is to publish a photobook featuring all the 18 indigenous tribes in Peninsular Malaysia. He is also the president of Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Orang Asal Perak (PKKOAP), which main activities are to promote Orang Asli arts and culture to the younger generation for continuty, as well as to bring it to an international level.
- Salomon Gau Malaysia, Miri (Sarawak)
  Salomon Gau is a celebrated traditional Kenyah dancer and musician from Long Ikang, Baram. His burning passion for his culture and art forms is unparalleled. He has dedicated close to 20 years in understanding and honing his craft. From undertaking apprenticeship from the elders, to sourcing and studying of research materials, Salomon constantly learns so he can teach and ensure continuity of his cultural heritage.
- Yii Kah Hoe Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
  YII Kah Hoe is a critically claimed Malaysian composer, music improviser and recently a field recordist. He has been recognized as one of the major voices among Southeast Asian composers of his generation and receiving multiple awards including BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, the winner of Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Forum for Malaysian Composers and others. His music has been widely performed in Asia, America, and Europe. Yii’s music is perceived as bold and avant-garde. His works use sounds and rhythms of many traditional instruments from various ethnic cultures. Yii is a senior lecturer at SEGi College Subang Jaya, Malaysia since 2000.

Partnerships

Eastern Taiwan Studies Association Culture and Arts Foundation Taiwan, Taitung City http://www.etsa-ac.org.tw/
Eastern Taiwan Studies Association Culture and Arts Foundation, the non governmental organization, established since 2001. The organization aims to construct the literature and discourse of eastern Taiwan studies, and serve people for better using the complete research literature. The organization not merely works on publishing the research book and journal, but also holds various projects, conference and events by concerning the specific topics of eastern Taiwan development.
Gerimis Art Project Malaysia, Selangor, Petaling Jaya https://www.gerimisart.com/
GERIMIS Art Project is a collaborative artistic and archiving initiative that co-creates cultural content with Orang Asli artisans and contemporary artists. We primarily work with Orang Asli communities who are already leading their own efforts to recognise, restore, and preserve their arts, culture, and traditions. By working together, we aim to further empower and facilitate the autonomy of Orang Asli discourses via a series of artworks, photography works, zines, installations, workshops, and exhibitions.
Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Orang Asal Perak Malaysia, Perak, Ipoh
Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Orang Asal Perak (PKKOAP) was established by a group of passionate Orang Asal individuals upon the realisation that the indigenous community of Perak are still far behind in the development of their own arts, culture, customs and traditions. At present, the responsibility of developing and promoting the arts and culture of the Orang Asal Perak is only done by a few people who are not from the indigenous community. Therefore, PKKOAP aims to bring the community together towards the development of their own arts and culture. This is done with the sincere intention to further Orang Asal Perak’s art, language, dance, music, and other aspects of their cultural life so that all these could be inherited by the future generations to come.
The Tuyang Initiative Malaysia, Miri (Sarawak) https://thetuyang.com
A community-led arts management company focused on Dayak (Borneo indigneous) cultural heritage by empowering cultural guardians with creative and cultural industry skillsets for generation of meaningful livelihood and cultural continuity.

About the Big Trip

About the project

Partnerships