| Hakim Hayat |
A TEAM of creative artists from Kaleidoscope Brunei took part in a creative art exhibition in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia recently showcasing their talent and raising awareness on environmental issues with their Sabahan counterparts.
The eco-art event, ‘Installation Art by the Bay, KK’ saw a large team from Kaleidoscope Studio as the first Bruneian team to participate in the annual event that was incepted in 2014. The theme of this year’s exhibit, ‘Eco-Art Connects’ urges participants to create installations made from recycled materials and use the opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues. The September 15-18 event is a public community interactive art programme founded by a team of creative artists and was held at Segama Bay, KK and was then moved to Suria Sabah Mall.
The Kaleidoscope team, comprising Hariz Khalid, Creative Director of the art installation dubbed the ‘Penjaga’, Nur Khalisah Ahmad, Founder of Kaleidoscope Studio, Fariz Ranli, Nur Khalilah Khalid and Aimi binti Haji Burhanuddin shared that they began building the art installation from scratch and took one day and a half to complete it.
“During the process many people stopped by, observed and expressed their curiosity at what they were doing. It was definitely a tough and tiring process that required a lot of hard work and a lot of sweat from the team. There were even many comments from the other art groups that the Brunei team were the most hardworking!” said one of them.
Nur Khalilah shared that while setting up the Penjaga, locals and tourists would come up to them and asked a lot of questions as they were excited for the art work to be completed.
“There was one comment made by a local who passed by us who said that Penjaga reminded him of his home back in the village because of the elements we were using – that was heart-warming for me to think that an art installation has that much of an impact to the viewers,” she added.
Eco-Art Connects was officiated by Sabah’s Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun who in his speech remarked about the link between art and environment that adds value to our lives and also reminded the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. “If we continue to educate the public, hopefully over time, we will have a generation who emphasises on taking care of the environment,” he said while mentioning that art is one of the best ways to educate the public and raise awareness on it.
Many of the exhibitors highlighted sea pollution and other environmental issues. Hariz shared that he was nervous at first because he doesn’t know the public’s expectation and reaction, “I didn’t know what the public reaction to our piece would be, but as Penjaga was displayed I can’t help but smile when I saw children running under it and taking photos with it hoping that it reminds them and others of the simple life that we all can relate to and how we should preserve it,” he said.
Kaleidoscope in a press release said their installation aimed to engage viewers in a multi-sensory, experiential way. The installation is made out of recycled and sustainable materials – recycled wood, and zinc and woven nipah leaves. The concept was to make a shelter that had a modern geometric framework, and to be made manually. Making it in this way was to experience and connect to a simpler time without the luxury of electricity and power tools and in the process the Kaleidoscope team also took the time to learn some traditional handicraft techniques to make the ‘roofing’ – the woven nipah leaves.
To complete the experience of the installation, the team also included a sound element – recordings made at Brunei’s Luagan Lalak during sunrise – a beautiful natural symphony where one can hear the abundance of fauna in one of Brunei’s pristine natural environments. “We hope that the installation will remind people to appreciate the environment more, and also be reminded that at one time nature sheltered and sustained us humans, and it still can if we preserve it. Nature is also more than just a resource but a home to humans and animals big and small and hearing their sounds and experiencing the natural environment has a peaceful and calming effect I think we all need to experience regularly,” said Nur Khalisah, founder of Kaleidoscope Studio.
The Kaleidoscope team’s stay in Kota Kinabalu was sponsored by Progresif Cellular and Sutera Co and during the trip, they visited the Sabah Art Gallery, visited local trendy cafes and networked with musicians at some open mics and also visit creative companies to see products of the city.
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