Malaysian outfit Zhonkvision's anime-inspired work 'Lembayung Malam' wraps up the Court tower area at the Old High Court building. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
Projection mapping is thriving across Malaysian cities this year, with Filamen, one of the leading digital art collectives, turning Kuala Lumpur's heritage districts into a mesmerising wonderland.
In addition to its annual Immersio indoor showcase, soon to debut at the GMBB creative mall, Filamen has also highlighted historical KL landmarks like the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTic) on Jalan Ampang, where it hosted the Terang competition last month.
This week, Filamen's Terang: Warisan series is lighting up a hidden corner of downtown KL, running nightly from 8pm to 11pm until Nov 24 at the Old High Court building courtyard and a nearby Court tower. Head to Dataran Merdeka and walk across the Sultan Abdul Samad pedestrian bridge (near Masjid Jamek), and you’ll spot the projection mapping trail nearby.
An anamorphic projection mapping piece, 'The Colors Of Us', created by Malaysian artist duo Seeing Artelier, brings vibrant visual storytelling to life. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
“The concept of Terang has always been to spotlight Kuala Lumpur’s heritage buildings. Terang: Warisan was designed specifically to activate the civic district, focusing on the Old High Court building and its unique history. We hope this showcase not only draws public interest but also encourages the relevant authorities to revitalise the site," says Abdul Shakir, the co-founder of Filamen.
These new sites offer Filamen fresh opportunities to showcase works from its digital art communities.
A view of 'The Sun From Singosari' work by Indonesian collective Story of Karana at the 'Terang: Warisan' projection mapping showcase at the Old High Court building courtyard in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
This special showcase, which is part of Think City's Kreatif KL festival, presents award-winning and finalist projection mapping works from Terang 2023, taking visitors on a visual journey from colonial heritage to the Islamic architectural elegance of Masjid Jamek. Featured artists include Malaysia’s Seeing Artelier, NEXMedia, Zhonkvision, and Lunartic Studio, alongside Indonesia’s Story of Karana and Fearmos.
“This showcase builds on our recent annual projection mapping competition at the Malaysia Tourism Centre, offering winners and participants a chance to explore new creative possibilities. The Old High Court building, with its two ‘L-shaped’ towers, provides a unique canvas for anamorphic projection mapping. Artists can use the building’s edges and sides to create striking, immersive effects,” said Shakir.
A projection mapping piece titled 'The Bond' by Malaysian collective NEXMedia illuminates the courtyard of the Old High Court building, weaving a narrative that explores the intricate cultural connections between people and place. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
The public can also join interactive activities, including the Bring Your Own Device session (8pm-11pm) this Saturday (Nov 23). Described as a “gotong-royong New Media Art” experience, this session invites participants to experiment with projection mapping and audiovisual set-ups.
"Bring along your laptop or any audio device and explore the possibilities with the provided software," said Shakir.
“It’s an opportunity to bridge the gap between projection mapping artists and the general public, who might not fully understand the technology. We recently tried this at a smaller event - it was a fun, collaborative art session that sparked fresh ideas for future shows,” he concluded.
