POSSIBILITIES are endless at the growing township of Batu Kawan on the mainland.
But one of the few missing jigsaws was incorporating arts and culture, which has now made the puzzle close to completion with an interactive graffiti mural.
The mural is part of the Creative Spark initiative that was jointly organised by Ikano Centres and IKEA Batu Kawan last year.
It is situated at the first phase of Ikano Centre (shopping centre), adjoining IKEA.
Ikano Centres customer experience and digital head Natasha Aziz said the project was made possible with the support of everyone in Batu Kawan and called it a much-needed element that was essential for the rapidly developing township of Batu Kawan.
“A big shoutout to Can Can Public Art for working closely with well-renowned artist Leonard Siaw, who had completed the mural with the assistance of several arts graduates under his mentorship.
“The concept of the wall is called ‘Building Yourself’, and its idea is to link it with Batu Kawan as an upcoming township.
“You have residents moving to their new homes, university students starting a new phase in their lives, workers and professionals alike joining the booming industrial sector in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park, and so on.
“The opportunities are wide here to build and grow yourself in a completely new town,” Natasha told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview at IKEA Batu Kawan on Mar 2.
The mural, Natasha said consists of two actual characters, seated back-to-back, and it symbolises the support between them.
“One will also notice there are other elements such as books, music, and vibrant colours incorporated on the wall, which is basically to blend the elements of arts and culture.
“Penang is a state that is rich in arts and culture, and that was the reason why we decided to blend elements that are close to the hearts of many Penangites,” she added.
Another mesmerising function of the wall is that when people use their handphones to scan a QR code made available near the wall, it will animate with the interactive presence of flying birds, flowers, and so on.
“We did this to engage the users to show that art can be exciting and different, while incorporating the elements of digitalisation as well,” Natasha added.
She also said that moving forward, more arts, cultural and other related activities would be held for the people to come and join to celebrate this interactive wall of art.
Meanwhile, Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik said it was important for Batu Kawan as a maturing township to venture into arts and culture, two areas he referred to as crucial backbones in Penang’s economy.
“We want to create attractions that residents and visitors can enjoy, take a break from their busy work schedules, and enjoy the many beautiful things Penang can offer.
“We don’t want this town to merely be filled with concrete, high-rise buildings only. We want to make it liveable by incorporating artworks and other cultural elements for the benefit of the people,” he said.
It was also learned that there are three other container arts in Batu Kawan, most of which were relocated from other places.
Separately, Goh also mentioned that organising an art run is in the pipeline for now, and his office will soon be working with relevant agencies to materialise the event in near future.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis