Crystal Blowing and Museums

I never knew crystal blowing was one of the unique attractions in Langkawi until I stepped into the Langkawi Craft Complex. It was here that we found out that only special types of silica sand are used to make crystals. These silica can only be imported from certain countries, such as Holland. In Brunei, I was told, there's a whole hill of silica sand which are suitable for crystal blowing as well. Nevertheless, it is less well-known compared to the ones obtained from Holland.

Thus, when I stepped into the small 'factory' of crystal blowing in the craft complex, I was expecting to see how silica sand can be (which I assume are not transparent) are mixed together with chemicals and other 'ingredients' to become a transparent material. But, I was caught by surprise. In the backyard of the shop, there was no such thing. Perhaps, the crystals were already made before they were brought to this place.

Here, it looked as if the staff were putting on finishing touches to the crystals.

First, I saw how they grind the sharp ends of the crystals to flatten its bottom, shaping the body of a swan.

Next, I saw another staff who looked like he was trying to poke a ole at the bottom of the crystal bottle.

Then, he put it into the oven, turn a few rounds, clockwise, and took it out again.

It's a stuffy job in a stuffy environment. He even had to have a big standing fan situated next to his working seat. Look at the burning rod and the crystal glass stuck to it!

We were in a museum. I expected more out of this visit. Nevertheless, I am sad to say that it was a disappointment. Museums should be more educational. There were nobody to educate us on how crystals were made, what kind of processes they went through, etc.

If I were a tourism minister or an education minister, the first thing I'd do would be to ensure our local museums provide sufficicent information regarding every piece of artefact, every listed activity. I will not leave visitors guessing and speculating by themselves.

We are now in the 21st century. Yet, our museums look as if they are stuck in the 18th century. It is such a shame when we know that we can be better. Today, children of the millenium generation are interested only in computer games, chatting and ace-ing their exams. As the X and Y generation, we should do more to educate our the kids of today, satisfy their thirst for knowledge and curiousity.

Lord Bolingbroke once said, "History is philosophy teaching by example and also by warning." If our children are not interested in history, one can only imagine what catastrophe our world will be in. They will be knocking against many walls before realizing that their forefathers did the exact same thing eons ago and failed.

After all, the peace that we are currently enjoying is a luxury that most countries eye with green jealousy. With issues of climate change and and firing of nuclear weapons loom over our heads, Robert Penn Warren reminds us that 'History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.' Yes. To face the future, we must first begin to understand the stories of our forefathers.