On The Question of Identity
by Choong Kam Kow

In the process of modernization and industrialization, our social structure changed as economy grows and expands. Our identity as a nation, as a people and as an individual also evolved and changed as a result of progress and development in time and space.

The arrival of information age has increased the pace of progress towards globalisation is undeniable. The achievement of hi-tec has created the information age which provides new facilities for rapid communication such as internet, satellite T.V., mobile cell phone, etc. for people in all walks of life. All this new facilities have promoted better understanding of cultures, values and life styles of people in different places and regions. In the modern world of both developed and developing nations, people are provided with a lot of new opportunities, choices, alternations and supplements. Such accessibility and exposures have inevitably influenced their value judgment, economic status and life styles.

These modern facilities have definitely brought about mutual influences among different people. The increase of practice in share-values, acceptance of new cultural elements, the choice of global fast food, global brand goods, western movies, music and art forms etc. have definitely altered our value judgment, social behaviour and life style.

This development has also alerted and worried many intellects, artists, social reformists, educationists and parents. In visual arts, there are more and more artists taking up the issues of identity and globalisation in their visual expression. The increased influences on culture, quality of life and acceptance of shared-values and changes of moral judgments have made many artists become more sensitive and aware of their own identities and positions. People in general seemed to value more and more of their past cultural wealth and moral practices.

However, it must be noted that, as evident in the past, the alteration of life styles, value judgment and changes of identity is conditioned by the cultural behaviours and social conditions of any people. The adoption and acceptance of new elements and values must be seen as an enriching process in our development towards modernization. The gradual alteration of identity must also be viewed as an evolving process which is unavoidable in our pursuit towards better living conditions.