PENANG Art District (PAD) and Gurney Plaza have jointly agreed to create a community art space to introduce various forms of arts and cultural activities in the shopping mall.
Both signed an agreement at the LBS Music World outlet in Gurney Plaza today.
PAD was represented by its project manager Kenny Ng while Gurney Plaza was represented by its deputy general manager Peter Chan.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin was present to witness the signing ceremony of Art@Gurney Plaza.
Also present were LBS managing director Lim Boon Seng and Zero Orchestra Penang music director Khor Kar Hoe.
“Given Penang’s growing role in the creative economy, I am confident that this inspired collaboration between PAD and Gurney Plaza will be a memorable one by connecting artists and cultural communities, creating lasting bonds, and helping us all to excel.
“In this respect, Gurney Plaza represents an ideal venue to showcase creative products and activities in Penang.
“Other than shopping, this venue will provide the local and foreign visitors with an opportunity to witness the creative excellence of our state through exhibitions and events, making arts accessible to all
” The state government will always support the creative economy industry. I believe that the creative economy is more than just a hobby or pastime. It can create business opportunities and economic synergy, becoming one of our economic generators,” Yeoh said in his speech.
He said following George Town’s listing as a Unesco World Heritage City, Penang has noticeably elevated its position internationally.
However, he said Penang must transform itself to compete with other growing cities in today’s global market.
“Gurney Plaza is one of the prestigious shopping malls in the state, always drawing an influx of tourists.
“I always believe that art should go beyond the conventional gallery, and to go to the crowd and let people see the art, feel the art, and understand the art,” added Yeoh, who is also the head of PAD.
Ng said this is the first time PAD has partnered with a shopping mall to promote and organise interactive art activities for the public.
“The fusion of art, leisure and business attracts consumers to stay in shopping malls longer, and at the same time, provides artists a platform to showcase their artworks and art events.
” Shopping malls are no longer just mundane places but through such collaboration, art is brought closer to everyone, thus popularising art in Penang,” Ng said.
After the agreement signing ceremony, busker Abun (from Bukit Mertajam) gave the attendees a treat by playing the didgeridoo, an Australian aboriginal wind instrument in the form of a long wooden tube.
Next, Aboud Fares, a sculptor, showed an art display featuring a few augmented reality (AR) sculptures he created.
Each artwork comes with a QR code and when it is scanned using the Perk Reality app, the digital sculptures will pop up on the screen of the smartphone used.
All artists who wish to be part of Art@Gurney Plaza are welcome to submit their proposals to Penang Art District at [email protected].
The following are the events planned for the year 2022:
September – Animatronic shadow puppet show.
October – Community Kolam Art, in conjunction with Deepavali.
November – Asian Canadian Literary Journey Exhibition.
December – Christmas Embroidery Workshop.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by K.H. Ong and courtesy of Petace