Using art to boost KK’s reputation
Kota Kinabalu: Art promotions will be one of the initiatives taken by the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry to uplift the reputation of the City, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew. She said as the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, it is her ministry’s responsibility to portray a good image of Kota Kinabalu and push its branding further.“We need to compete with other destinations and rise to international standards,” she said during the launching of the Lampoopalooza, at the compound of Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building, here, Friday. “In my recent overseas trips, I have seen expressions of art by the communities and the respective city councils fully embracing them.
“This must be one of the directions that we aim for a vibrant Kota Kinabalu.”Her Ministry, she said, placed great emphasis on developing and promoting traditional as well as modern arts. “Art murals are put up by the City Hall and just last weekend, the Pillars of Sabah 2.0 nearby was launched by my Ministry’s Permanent Secretary on my behalf. Do continue all of these initiatives,” she said. On Lampoopalooza, she said, it was nothing short of innovative in terms of events in Sabah. “This shows the many possibilities for new tourism events and it also proves that our destination continues to reinvent herself and set the bar higher each time.“I am pleased to see that we are marketing Gaya Street like many famous streets around the world.
“This is our very own version of high street with a history going back to more than 100 years. “Tonight (Friday), we mark the anniversary of the STB building by appreciating the heritage, history and the perspectives of turning this street into a modern event site.” She added the bold move will certainly raise Kota Kinabalu’s prominence to be the most vibrant city in Borneo. Lampoopalooza was a light art installation organised to mark the anniversary of the STB building. The installation followed Kota Kinabalu’s first-ever light show produced by STB last year, during the commemoration of the building’s centennial anniversary. The event featured a production of a special video, showcasing some of the State’s iconic wildlife and cultural elements, projected on the entire building and an artistic display of lights surrounding areas to position the historical street as the City’s signature stretch.
The STB building was first occupied in 1918 and officiated by the Governor of the British North Borneo Chartered Company. Later, it was renovated to house the Treasury, Audit Office, a bank and the Post Office until 1986. The State Government officially gazetted it as a historical building in 1988. The building underwent restoration before reopening it in 1991, to house the Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation, now the STB office.
Source: Daily Express
