KUALA LUMPUR, October 23 – Step into a realm where old-world charm harmonizes with the vibrant tapestry of innovation as one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest colonial architectural wonders, the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), becomes the breathtaking canvas for a projection mapping spectacle titled Terang. From October 20 to October 29, 2023, the facade of MaTiC will be adorned with 34 digital artworks infused with light and music, guided by the theme “Warisan” (Heritage). This captivating show is a collaboration among 13 artists from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, along with the creative contributions of 21 local and international university students.
Terang is the brainchild of Filamen, a local new media art collective celebrated for curating some of Malaysia’s most renowned digital art exhibitions. The name Terang signifies brightness and serves as a reminder to protect the nation’s rich history and identity. It brings heritage architecture into the modern era, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Beyond the visual spectacle, Terang acts as a platform for the art community to explore the potential of digital art in cultural and space rejuvenation. The 2023 edition of Terang presents 34 one-and-a-half-minute video mapping artworks, each inspired by the theme “Warisan,” paying tribute to the diverse traditions and cultural roots of the participants’ home countries.
These artworks are the creations of professional artists such as Pavee from Thailand, Ape Plus Studio from Indonesia, and OneShot Production from Malaysia, as well as university students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), Rangsit University International College (Thailand), University of Technology MARA (UiTM), and The One Academy (Malaysia). These multisensory works come to life against the timeless backdrop of MaTiC, a classic structure dating back to 1935. The Terang projection mapping show is expected to captivate around 30,000 spectators across nine evening presentations.
“Malaysia is home to beautiful buildings with historical and architectural significance that are often overshadowed by urban development. We believe that Terang harnesses the transformative capabilities that breathe new vitality and allure into these time-honored architectures. If our audiences leave with a renewed interest in our shared heritage, we are halfway to accomplishing our mission,” said Abdul Shakir ‘Grasshopper,’ the organizer of Terang and co-founder of Filamen. The inaugural Terang takes place at MaTiC, an 88-year-old historic building with colonial architecture, situated on one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest and longest roads.
This architectural gem has witnessed pivotal historical events, serving as the war office of the British Army during World War II, the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army, and hosting significant events like the first meeting of the Federation of Malaya’s Parliament in 1959. In the past, it was the National Art Gallery of Malaysia and now houses the Malaysia Tourism Centre. Terang’s journey commenced with an open call in August 2023, inviting local and international artists and university students specializing in arts, creativity, and new media to submit their artworks for the nine-day projection mapping exhibition. These works will be judged by a panel of projection mapping experts from Southeast Asia. Prizes will be awarded accordingly.
The judging panel includes Jib from Thailand, the Head of DecideKit and the second prize winner of the 2019 1-minute Projection Mapping at Odawara Castle in Kanagawa; Adi Panuntun from Indonesia, CEO of Sembilan Matahari, an audiovisual and multimedia studio in Bandung, Indonesia; Fadjar Kurnia from Indonesia, Creative Director of The Fox the Folks and the Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 1-minute Projection Mapping at Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in Tokyo; and Ts.Dr. Jazmi Jamal, Director of Future Creative School, National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage (ASWARA).
Terang will offer a series of digital and on-ground workshops and sharing sessions to help visitors connect with the art of projection mapping. In collaboration with ASWARA, Terang by Filamen is an artistic highlight of the SEA Futurist in Arts and Cultural Exchange 2023 (SEA Futurist 2023), showcasing the potential of preserving intangible cultural heritage through digitalization. SEA Futurist 2023, powered by Future Creative School of ASWARA, explores the fusion of arts, traditions, and innovations with creative technologists from Southeast Asia.
Terang is organized by Filamen and Pixel World, co-organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, ASWARA, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), and supported by partners such as EPSON Malaysia, MyCreative Ventures (MyCV), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), AirAsia, and RUBIX Communications. Terang is a free public event running from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM until October 29, 2023. Join the journey where history, art, and innovation converge. For the latest updates about Terang 2023, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
