By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 5: The ‘Rainbow Ribbon’ lighting project at Kenyalang Park Traffic Garden marked another milestone as it completed a series of six programmes combining various art genres.
The programmes were titled ‘Shine the Light’, ‘Unravelling the Light’, ‘Awakening the Light’, ‘Light Wave’, ‘Light Journey’ and ‘Confessions within the Rainbow’.
According to the programme curatorial team led by Wendy Teo and facilitated by programme manager Tham Chung Seng, the whole idea behind Rainbow Ribbon is to send a message of unity to Kuching by uniting the old and new communities in a public space through art.
“We want to unravel ‘lights’ from different parts of Sarawak, and explore meaningful collaborations with a diverse range of artists, letting their light shine.
“Public art in the new normal is what we would also like to adapt to, with a series of SOP compliance activities so people can still enjoy art in public space safely,” they said in a statement today.
The first two programmes—’Awakening the Light’ and ‘Light Wave’—were held on the same night of the launching of Rainbow Ribbon project at Kenyalang Park Traffic Garden on April 3.
‘Awakening the Light’ featured a night of spoken word poetry accompanied by original contemporary sape music, by poets Angelina Bong, Lofrine Layam and Maclean Patrick from Wordsmiths of Kuching and Jeremy Peter from the Tuyang Initiative.
‘Light Wave’ is a colour and dance expression, teamwork by choreographer Valerie Kueh and dancers from Track & Dance Studio, Shaleen Tay, Christina Wong and Qaisara Watiqah Valqis and make-up artist Kenny Yeo.
On April 8 to April 10, ‘Shine the Light’ commenced with Kuching-based NFT platform, NFTSWK, led by Judith Tela curating a hybrid exhibition at Think and Tink Kuching, showcasing both traditional art and NFT art, using blockchain technology with participating artists from myriad backgrounds and ages.
On April 16, ‘Light Journey’ programme was held involving a virtual photography exhibition by Kuching-born photographer Kelvin Chan. His artworks can be viewed here.
Meanwhile, ‘Confessions within the Rainbow’ involved the public’s participation in submitting their secret stories to be told through a virtual reality storytelling session.
The final programme held on May 7 was ‘Unravelling the Light’, which revealed a music video by filmmaker Koh Khai, singer-songwriters Yung Kai and Faithlyn and music arrangement by Luther Wong. The music video can be viewed here.
The Rainbow Ribbon project at Kenyalang Park Traffic Garden was a continuation of the Light Project initiative by Jun Ong at The Godown, Kuala Lumpur, to liven up the city through public art and performance.
Think City Sdn Bhd and MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana) staged and funded the installation while Kuching South City Council (MBKS) supported by providing water, electricity and site security.
The Rainbow Ribbon project highlights a special installation built at the Traffic Garden.
During the day, the light and shadow underneath the structure will reflect light with a spectrum of colours via a holographic filter embedded within the transparent panels from above.
At night, a rainbow-like effect will be emanated via a mist spray creating an ephemeral atmosphere. — DayakDaily
