Launch of iNYALA
We know all too well how visual arts and design is perceived in Malaysia. From being separated into “Art” and “Science” streams in our secondary school education to how creative jobs are seen as secondary to fields like engineering and medicine, wherein the only environments that seems to nurture such talent are within higher education. Hence, we at iNYALA want to contribute in changing that perception, hosting an introduction and briefing on 13 July 2019 with students and faculty alike to present our new endeavour.
iNYALA is a one of a kind interactive light art installation competition, which will serve as a platform where students can contribute fresh, innovative ideas under the guidance of industry experts. Aiming to empower talented individuals and creative arts practitioners alike in the budding field of multidisciplinary design, each successful finalist will receive seed funding of RM 1,500 to bring their creation to life and display it in the newly-repurposed REXKL at Jalan Sultan.
Instead of inclining towards more conventional expressions, iNYALA hopes to cultivate innovative design and thus the theme for the competition is “Imagine the Impossible!” Architect cum artist Jun Ong, one of the judges for the competition, elaborated on the theme as he shared his expertise on work that intersects fine and applied arts by coupling low-tech materials with hi-tech application, primarily with artificial light. Not to mention, Architect Shin Tseng and his team also provided insights into repurposing the once burnt down Rex Cinema in downtown Kuala Lumpur which was no easy feat.
Attending the event were representatives from The One Academy, Sunway University, Dasein Academy of Art, Raffles College of Higher Education, TARUC, UCSI, and MMU. With that, iNYALA hopes through this competition and its follow up workshops and events to foster a vibrant artistic community, pushing boundaries and better understand the demands of the industry through explorations in unconventional mediums, elements of interaction and light alongside creative uses of technology and sustainability practices.