Artists turn trash into arts, spread environmental message

KOTA KINABALU: A popular location to watch the sunset, Segama Waterfront boardwalk this week has become a spot for visitors to take pictures with latest attraction of colourful and gigantic installation arts made from waste. The third edition of Installation Art, from Thursday till tomorrow, was being held in support of ‘Cleanup the World campaign’ and in celebration of the Malaysia Day. One of the participants, Penang’s “Rescue team” was inspired by Gulliver’s Travels in its “Rescuing the Rhino” art piece which depicted a Sumatran rhino without a horn being tied down by hundreds of tiny men. One of its artists, Jason Min said he took used bulbs and wires to make the “tiny men” while foams were used to form the mammal’s body. “We are sending a message that rubbish can be turned into beautiful arts and also that rhinos are facing extinction because of man’s greed.” Another art titled “When Turtle Meets Plastic” by Upcase team used thousands of used bottles filled with green, blue and yellow coloured water and designed them into a colorful-looking turtle. The artist, Tressie Yap Chui Kie said from a low angle, the art looked like a turtle but from an aerial view it appeared like a jelly fish. “This art highlights the issue where turtles are being threathened by plastic pollution, leading to the extinction of some of the species,” she added. Both were among 14 teams taking part in the campaign that used art as a medium to convey environmental awareness message to the public. It is organised by Tourism and Culture Ministry, Sabah Tourist Association, Sabah Art Gallery, Lavinia Private Art Gallery, City Hall and Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Tourism and Culture Ministry’s Sabah office director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar said the programme was aimed to develop art tourism through interactive 3D art installations and create awareness among the people towards caring and protecting the environment.

Source: New Straits Times