The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

Posted: 17 Sep 2011 12:18 AM PDT

'Tis a race with a difference – participants hurry to six art galleries in George Town, perform tasks in double-quick time (hopefully), and then race to the finish line for their rewards.

SCENES reminiscent of popular reality television shows will play out at several art galleries in George Town tomorrow as participants in an art race try to beat each other to the finish line and win the grand prize of a holiday in Langkawi.

The Art Race, believed to be the first of its kind to be held in Penang, will involve six galleries around the city, and is arguably the highlight of the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Carnival's (1MCAT) three-day festival, which began at No. 57 Macalister Building yesterday.

The festival, themed In-Sight Penang, is part of the month-long 1MCAT event which ends on Sept 30, and is organised by the Tourism Ministry and Tourism Malaysia, Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Penang State Museum Board.

Of the 20 galleries around Penang involved in the art festival, six were chosen to play host for the seven pit stops in the art race because of their location in the city centre. Nurul Ashikin Shuib, curator of the Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, says the race is a novel idea mooted by the organising committee to attract people – in particular those who have never set foot in an art gallery – to visit and explore the works contained inside.

"We hope the exciting nature of the event will entice people with limited art knowledge to come and broaden their horizons. Besides enjoying the games, they will also get to explore the world of art and gain some knowledge.

"It would be even better if some are sufficiently inspired to take up the brush themselves," she says hopefully, explaining that participants will be required to complete tasks or answer questions at the six galleries.

If they're successful and get their answers right, they will earn a stamp in "passports" specially made for the race. The first to the finish line with all seven stamps will win a return Penang-Langkawi flight ticket, with accommodation for three days and two nights.

The second prize is a similar package at Naza Hotel Penang, while the third prize is a two-day/one-night stay at Cititel Hotel Penang.

Stressing that it's important to expose the younger generation to art, Nurul says they hope to attract at least 200 participants for the race which flags off at 10am. The race is open to anyone aged between 13 and 45. Participants are free to select any of the galleries as their starting point.

"The galleries have been selected due to their location within the city centre, making it logistically less taxing on participants. But they will still need to be healthy to run the race! The current exhibitions held at the respective galleries are what we feel will appeal to both newcomers to the world of art, as well as budding art aficionados," Nurul Ashikin adds.

Galeri Seni Mutiara, whose two outlets at the Whiteaways Arcade and Armenian Street are among the pit stops, will have lovely depictions of flora and fauna in exhibitions titled Garden Of Art and Wildlife respectively. Director cum curator Koay Soo Kau believes that in a concrete jungle world characterised by steel and glass megaliths, art provides a good medium to cultivate a sense of appreciation for the wonders of nature before they (heaven forbid) become mere footnotes in the annals of history.

A staunch supporter of the industry who jokingly refers to himself as a "servant of artists", Koay believes that art and culture play an indispensable role in any developing country's make-up, and helps to create a refined and sophisticated society.

"The current exhibitions are great for the race participants as they not only get to view different artistic styles, but will also gain a new-found appreciation for the environment. It has always been my passion to promote art in this region, and this festival is a timely one, which I hope will reinvigorate the local art scene which has been brimming with talent for decades," he adds.

The other participating galleries for the Art Race are the Penang State Art Gallery (with the exhibit Utara – After 3 Decades); Alpha Utara Gallery (20 Malaysian Contemporary Artists' Group Exhibition); Studio@Straits: Straits Collection (Cats & Dogs); Alyssa Galeri (The Colours Of Life Art And Photography Exhibition) and Rozana's Fine Heart (Art From The Heart).

Besides the race, a host of art-related activities will keep the public engrossed, ranging from talks and workshops by artists, to interactive activities.

The remaining 14 galleries involved in 1MCAT are Equator Academy of Art; Galeri Art Point – Sunny Point Complex; Shaparel Art Studio; Galeri Kampung Nelayan; 3Quarters Studio; Penang Malay Art Gallery; Island Gallery; WAF Fine Art Gallery; The Gallery @ KDU; A2 Gallery; Galeri Adiwarna USM; Galeri 27 USM; Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah and AWAS Artworks/Artspace.

Those who wish to take part in the Art Race may walk in for last-minute registrations at No.57 Macalister Building at 9am tomorrow. For details, contact 04-653 4789 / 653 2137.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Sabtu, 17 September 2011