Malaysian national art collection digitally reimagined for a new generation
Featuring 34 artworks displayed through digital formats, this long-term exhibition – running until April 2027 – explores the fusion of art and technology through three segments: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and projection mapping.
These cutting-edge mediums, currently showcased at Filamen's gallery at Muzium Telekom, RXP.KL, and the Immersify KL show, are revolutionising how audiences in Kuala Lumpur engage with and experience visual art in the digital age.
It's only fitting that NAG now joins this movement, embracing innovation at the forefront of the art world.
'At the heart of Into The Frameless is the National Art Gallery's mission to make art more accessible, particularly to a tech-savvy generation. Through immersive technologies, the exhibition not only enhances aesthetic appreciation but also supports long-term preservation of these national treasures,' outlines a media statement.
Visitors can 'step into' a 1960 Khalil Ibrahim oil painting and take home a digital copy via the AI Holobox Photobooth. Photo: National Art Gallery Malaysia
A highlight of the exhibition is the Immersive Video Segment, featuring 31 works across five thematic zones: "Coastlines", "Sea", "Paddy Fields", "Micro Flora", "Macro Flora", and "Mountains". These nature-inspired themes celebrate Malaysia's cultural and environmental diversity.
Gallery visitors can take a seat and watch the 30-minute screen display at their own pace.
Featured classic works include Syed Ahmad Jamal's Storm (1958), Chuah Thean Teng's Fishing Village (1959), A.J. Rahman's Night In Langkawi (1976), Chung Chen Sun's Pemandangan Kampung Nelayan (1964), Ibrahim Hussein's Genting (1978), and Lai Foong Moi's Menuai Padi (1960).
This exhibition is a unique way to introduce the national art collection to the public.
Using advanced projectors and mapping technology, the artworks are brought to life with motion, light, and sound, offering a sensory-rich experience that transcends traditional viewing.
For interactivity, art lovers can also see their own works come to life in the 'AR Colouring' segment, featuring classic paintings by Dzulkifli Buyong. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
"Balancing tradition and modernity, this digital shift aligns with Malaysia's aspirations to become a global tech hub and elevate quality of life through technological literacy," adds the exhibition notes.
An interactive feature of the exhibition is the AR Colouring segment, where attendees can engage directly in the creative process.
After colouring printed designs, participants can watch their creations come to life through AR software, transforming simple colourings into animated digital experiences.
These designs will animate animals in a village scene inspired by the work of legendary KL-born artist Dzulkifli Buyong.
The backdrop is crafted from three of Dzulkifli's 1960s paintings: Kapal Kertas, Bermain Dengan Anak Patong, and Mengejar.
A.J. Rahman's 'Night In Langkawi' (1976) painting gets a digital revival in the immersive exhibition. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
Another highlight is the AI Photobooth, which uses image recognition and machine learning to turn visitor portraits into unique digital compositions.
By superimposing users into Khalil Ibrahim's 1960 oil painting Pemandangan, the installation playfully blurs the line between canvas and audience, offering a fresh way to connect with modern art.
Many of these works have been restored by NAG's in-house Art Hospital, a conservation unit dedicated to preserving Malaysia's visual heritage.
For those looking to extend their visit to NAG, the sprawling multi-gallery Nusa exhibition – featuring highlights from the national collection in a more traditional gallery setting – is well worth exploring.
All exhibitions at NAG offer free admission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
05-08-2025
- The Star
George Town comes alive with colour and music
Annual festival of art, culture and community kicks off with illuminating showcase GEORGE Town Festival (GTF) 2025 kicked off with a bang, transforming Penang into a kaleidoscope of colour, rhythm and artistic expression. The city's heritage buildings, historic streets and open spaces pulsed with an infectious energy. Over the course of the nine-day festival, until Aug 10, audiences will be treated to myriad performances, displays and experiences that celebrate the best of arts and culture. Reflecting this year's theme of 'Connection', the diverse programme invites the public to rediscover the ties that bind people and places, tradition and innovation as well as past and present. The festival's opening highlight 'After Dusk' was an open-air extravaganza of lights and music which took place at the Esplanade last weekend. The event attracted close to 100,000 people. The first session of 'After Dusk' doubled as the festival's launch. Neoh walking past her 'A Debt of Time' light-responsive outdoor installation at Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park. It featured the Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama being illuminated by a projection mapping showcase called 'Terang'. Orchestrated by Filamen, a local new media art collective, 'Terang' featured 37 finalist artworks from a student competition aside from 11 pieces from guest artists. The hall's complex architectural features, including columns, windows and cornices, provided a challenging yet unique canvas for participants to interpret the state's multicultural history. Most visitors had their phones out to capture images and videos of recognisable Malaysian icons, such as the Jalur Gemilang and hibiscus as well as Penang's iconic shophouses, landmarks and street food, as the visuals danced across the building's facade. Filamen co-founder and showcase curator Abdul Shakir Abu Samah said this year's competition, themed 'Rojak', drew 78 submissions from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. 'The theme, derived from a popular salad, is a rich metaphor for our society,' he said. 'Just like how it brings together various flavours and textures with a unifying gravy, our region as a whole is also a blend of ethnicities, cultures, languages, traditions and expressions, which all enrich each other. 'The competition theme reflects the way we live, work and create together – layered and contrasting yet beautifully cohesive,' he said. The showcase is ongoing until Aug 10. The crowd observing the silently powerful 'Transmute: Dengung Masih Dalam Sepi' performance which is part of the festival's opening gala at the Esplanade. Abdul Shakir said their goal was not just to project colours onto the building, but to celebrate community stories, using contemporary digital art as a canvas for local history. 'George Town is essentially a living museum of multicultural heritage, with unique urban and social fabric shaped by centuries of trade, migration and cultural exchange,' said Abdul Shakir. Complementing the display were several modern dance performances by Euphoria Penang called 'When Walls Become Wings'. A stage set up in front of the nearby City Hall building featured musical performances such as 'Rhythm and Roots' showcase by Culture Shot and Straw Lim besides acoustic indie folk music by Isaac Ho. At one corner of the Esplanade field, a large audience gathered for the powerfully silent dance-music presentation titled 'Transmute: Dengung Masih Dalam Sepi' by Muhd Sharul Mohd and Namie, as well as a glowing diabolo dance called 'Starry Night' by Diabolution. Present at the festival launch were Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Seberang Perai mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid and several assemblymen. Chow, in his speech, described art's ability as a vital force to connect people in a time when the world often felt divided. (Seventh from left onwards) Sim, Chow and Hon Wai marking the launch of GTF 2025 alongside other VIPs and festival organisers. 'It reminds us of what we share – our stories, our dreams and our humanity. 'GTF is more than an arts event; it is a space for Penangites and visitors to come together to celebrate creativity and find common ground through culture,' he said. Hon Wai said the festival had grown from strength to strength since its first staging in 2010 to commemorate the city's Unesco World Heritage listing in 2008. 'What began as a celebration of our city's heritage listing has blossomed into a leading creative platform for South-East Asia. 'It is now a key force in reinforcing Penang's identity as an international city of the arts,' he said. Exciting lineup GTF 2025 features 50 programmes spanning music, dance, theatre, photography, visual arts, and workshops. Among them are 32 Malaysian programmes, 22 of which involve Penang-based artists and groups. The remaining 18 are international presentations, which include collaborations with the Spanish Embassy in Malaysia, the Japanese Government's Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia. Festival director Jack Wong said 80% of programmes were free as the aim was to allow the public to enjoy the arts together. 'Artistic expression comes in many forms. But at the heart of it all, we want to connect George Town with its people,' he said. Koh showing the resin-cast crabs, made from moulds of actual crabs, which visitors to the 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle' virtual reality experience can buy as souvenirs. 'We hope it deepens one's love for the city, opens their heart to different perspectives and sparks a sense of connection – to others, to the place and to the present moment.' One example is 'Between Departures', featuring a Rapid Penang city bus turned into a roving concert stage with live sets by Sundal Malam Ensemble and 1Drum. GTF programme executive Connie Chan said the mobile live music experience was an invitation to the public to pause, sit down and gain a new perspective of the city. 'People can sometimes overlook George Town's beautiful cityscape when they are rushing through daily routines. So we designed the bus route to pass by several iconic landmarks. 'Unlike traditional stages, this ever-changing backdrop infuses performances with a sense of mystery and anticipation,' she said. The 'Three Generations, One Jazzy Heartbeat' concert at Majestic Theatre in Jalan Phee Choon, featuring The Stacey Wei Quartet from Taiwan, was another event that took place during the festival's opening weekend. Wei, a music professor, led on trumpet while 77-year-old jazz legend Rich Huang accompanied on drums, Guras Batu on piano and Liu Yu-Jia on double bass. Malaysians Tay Cher Siang and Eddy Lim joined in on keyboard and saxophone respectively. Their repertoire included a song paying homage to the beauty of Hualien in Taiwan and another based on a work song by Taiwan's indigenous Atayal community. Wei said he was delighted to team up with talented musicians from a wide range of ages, as they shared great chemistry once they began to play. Members of the public enjoying the 'Between Departures' mobile live music experience aboard a Rapid Penang city bus. 'We wanted to take audiences on a journey through Taiwan's rich cultural landscape through jazz. 'It is about taking life's experiences and transforming them into melodies. When musicians co-create, the energy can be contagious,' he said. Making its Malaysian and South-East Asian debut at Dewan Sri Pinang was '129BPM: Contemporary Hip Hop Dance Theatre.' The performance, choreographed by Bui Ngoc Quan, merged street dance with Vietnamese folk music and flowing fabric sculptures to explore themes of identity, dissonance and human connection. Assistant choreographer Lyon Nguyen said the title '129BPM' referred to the average human heart rate under stress or excitement, reflecting the fast-paced changes and questions of self-identity that young people face in today's digital and globalised world. Visual wonders Various exhibitions, installations and experiences are also open to visitors daily throughout the festival at various locations. 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle', a new virtual reality experience, takes visitors on an immersive journey through Penang's ecosystems from a crab's perspective. The project uses the stories of crabs – from native species to the Sri Lankan mud crab – to teach about biodiversity, disruption and resilience. Artist Koh Kai Ting and her team conducted extensive research with local fisherfolk and scientists to craft a narrative that allows audiences to engage with environmental realities on a visceral level, highlighting the complex impact of human activity on both landscapes and communities. Equally captivating is 'Immersiox', where visitors can engage with dreamy digital realms and redefine spatial awareness and perceptual boundaries. Otherwise, walk through 'A Debt of Time' light-responsive installation by artist Neoh Shin Yen located at Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park. The Stacey Wei Quartet comprising (from left) Guras, Wei, Liu and Huang delighting the audience with their music during the 'Three Generations, One Jazzy Heartbeat' concert. It is best to visit around noon, when the sun is high in the sky, as the shadows cast will spell out a poem touching on themes of impermanence, connection and memory. 'The City of Willows' playable art installation by Chong Yan Chuah and Simon Soon is inspired by the hidden histories of 19th century Chinese secret societies. 'Rapid Change' is a photography exhibition by Chong Kok Choon documenting bus-stops in the small town of Junjung on the Penang-Kedah border. Meanwhile, 'Time, Places, People' features works by artist Joshua Foo spanning over 30 years, exploring how time reshapes identity and place. More programmes are lined up until the closing weekend, including the 'A Night in Spain' concert on Friday night. Guests can expect a rich tapestry of fiery flamenco and lyrical folk melodies from Malaysian pianist Foo Mei Yi, Polish-born violinist Bartosz Woroch and Spanish cellist Ivan Torres. For event and ticketing details, visit
The Star
02-08-2025
- The Star
Vibrant immersive experience at George Town festival
Crab view: The 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle' includes an augmented reality mode where the crabs come alive on a visitor's phone. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: George Town Festival (GTF) 2025 got off to a vibrant start with the 'After Dusk' opening gala at the Esplanade here. The area transformed into an immersive stage for art, music and performance last night, with the highlight being a projection mapping display by Filamen called 'Terang'. Powerful visual stories with motifs representing the country's diverse communities, landmarks, cuisines and history flashed across the Town Hall's facade, drawing cheers from the large crowd. Also on was an introspective, silent dance-music performance titled 'Transmute: Dengung Masih Dalam Sepi', a poetic diabolo routine called 'Starry Night', as well as folk music numbers. Many festival-goers also hopped aboard a city bus for the 'Between Departures' roving musical performance while others thronged the open-air night market for snacks and souvenirs. Also opening yesterday was the 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle' at The Whiteaways Arcade, a virtual reality (VR) exploration of Penang's ecosystems via the eyes of crustaceans. Artist Koh Kai Ting said the narrative took one from Penang Hill down to the island's coastal sands where they meet different species of native crabs, as well as an invasive one. They spent nine months doing fieldwork with fisherfolk, scientists and ecologists in areas like Sungai Batu and Tanjung Tokong to build the thought-provoking story. 'We wanted to show how layers of environmental change – deforestation, urbanisation and land reclamation – have disrupted the delicate balance of diversity. 'Crabs are deeply embedded in Penang's natural and cultural history, yet are often overlooked. 'It was our way of questioning whose stories get told in such narratives. 'Immersive design allows one to not just learn things but also feel it deeply. 'By crawling on leaves or through tunnels from the crabs' perspective, visitors engage with environmental realities in ways that are both visceral and reflective,' Koh said. She added that visitors could also scan QR codes and see the crabs appear via augmented reality (AR) on their phones, allowing them to appreciate the creatures without harming them. Across town at the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park, the 'A Debt of Time' light-responsive installation had visitors pondering themes of impermanence, connection and memory. With the sun high in the sky, the shadow of a poignant poem was cast on the ground. It called on people to be kind and re-examine how they treated each other. Text-based artist Neoh Shin Yen said the work was inspired by a conversation she had, which led her to ponder if human connections were transactional and kept like a balance sheet. 'It quietly reflects how kindness, like debt, transcends time and is shaped not just by what is given but by the intention behind it. 'Shadow and light is a naturally powerful medium. As it changes throughout the day, there is an ephemeral quality that reflects the impermanence of our memories,' she said of the installation, which will be kept on display until Sept 1. 'After Dusk' will be held again tonight starting 5pm, while 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle' will be open daily from 11am to 7pm till the festival ends on Aug 10. The festival is in its 16th edition and themed 'Connection'. For the full line-up, visit
The Star
30-07-2025
- The Star
Art gallery extends Asean exhibition to Dec 31
PETALING JAYA: Due to overwhelming public interest for the upcoming Asean Summit in October, the National Art Gallery has decided to extend the 'A Gift from Asean Exhibition' until Dec 31. 'Launched on Feb 17, the exhibition features 33 unique artworks presented to Malaysia by Asean members and Asean+6 nations such as South Korea, Japan, China and India, between 1960 and 2009,' said the National Visual Arts Development Board in a statement yesterday. It said the exhibition was initially scheduled to end on July 31. 'This initiative reflects Malaysia's commitment to making art and culture a core pillar in strengthening regional ties and promoting art as an effective medium of cultural diplomacy. 'These works reflect strong diplomatic relations and a shared cultural heritage through diverse visual art expressions. 'This exhibition supports Asean 2025 aspirations to promote unity in diversity by using visual arts as a catalyst for knowledge sharing,' the statement said. It also said artworks by prominent artists included those from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, China and India. According to the website of the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, the artworks on display 'clearly show that while art from this region has many different styles and histories, these differences are also somehow linked, and influences are still present and even blend with the modern art being created in the region today'. The public is invited to visit the exhibition, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
