In August, REXPERIENCE brought to light its latest and most ambitious exhibition yet—Twilight—a groundbreaking fusion of Malaysia’s rich history and cutting-edge technology of the present. Within the iconic REXKL, this season’s exhibition took visitors on a unique voyage through the realms of tradition and modernity, bridging the gap between Malaysia’s artistic heritage and its digital future.
But Twilight wasn’t merely an art show. The exhibition offered a sensory journey, blending batik art with digital storytelling. It explored emotions shaped by technology and prompted reflection on human identity in a fast-evolving world. Here’s what made Twilight one of the year’s most talked-about exhibitions.
The Power of Tradition Meets Technology
At the heart of Twilight was the awe-inspiring piece titled Hanya Batik. Artists such as Arif Rafhan, Fahmi Hosnan, Ian Kit, and Cuurley united to tell the story of Malaysian batik, a key part of the country’s cultural heritage. But it wasn’t just a historical narrative. The exhibit used digital storytelling to blend tradition and modernity, showing how batik has shaped daily life and cultural milestones.
Visitors marvelled at batik’s intricate patterns, reimagined through digital art to reflect modern Malaysia, bringing the past to life on screen.
Geometry of Emotion: Where Data Meets Feeling
Twilight wasn’t just about looking back; it was about confronting the present and future too. Geometry of Emotion by Fabien Bouchard and Mathieu Pernaud immersed visitors in emotions shaped by technology.
It was both an intellectual and emotional exploration. Guests stood in a room where geometric and organic shapes shifted in real time, guided by digital data. As they moved through the exhibit, visitors questioned how much of their emotional world remains human versus shaped by data and algorithms.
Escape: Dance, Music, and Identity Collide
No journey into modern art is complete without a performance piece, and Twilight delivered one that left audiences in awe. Escape, a collaboration between Colas Fiszman and Laurent Delforge, combined dance, electronic music, and generative video. Dancers’ movements mirrored dynamic projections, blurring the line between audience and performer.
The performance posed timely questions about contemporary societal themes and the role of self-identity in an increasingly digital world. Escape wasn’t just a show; it was a visual conversation on identity in a world where digital performances define us.
Workshops: A Creative Deep Dive
For those looking to go beyond mere observation, Twilight offered a rare opportunity to learn from the very artists who brought the exhibition to life. On August 5th, REXPERIENCE hosted two exclusive, one-day-only workshops, where attendees could delve into the technologies that drive immersive art.
In Introduction to Immersive Experience with TouchDesigner, Colas Fiszman guided artists, designers, and technologists through the intricacies of interactive and generative visuals, a crucial tool in creating digital installations and performances. Fabien Bouchard’s workshop, Unlocking Interactivity for Installations and Experiences, explored how artists could add interactivity to their pieces, teaching participants to make installations respond to people, sound, or even external data.
These workshops weren’t just technical lessons—they were a call to action. These workshops gave Malaysia’s digital artists a chance to learn, grow, and push creative boundaries. REXPERIENCE continues to support talent and accessibility in the digital arts, and these workshops reinforced that mission.
The REXPERIENCE Legacy: Art that Breathes
REXPERIENCE serves as more than an art space—it’s a creative hub for artists and technologists. Their first exhibit, OtherWorld, transported visitors through stunning cosmic, natural, and urban landscapes using digital art. Next came Piying Dream, showcasing over 3,000 digital shadow puppets that beautifully merged Chinese shadow play with modern technology.
Twilight continued this tradition of pushing boundaries, but it also brought something more profound to the table. The exhibition explored art’s role in the digital age and how technology shapes us. It encouraged visitors to engage, co-create, and immerse in future possibilities.
As Twilight moves into the latter half of 2024, it promises to continue captivating audiences with its unique blend of tradition, technology, and emotional depth. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a technologist, or simply curious, Twilight at REXPERIENCE is not to be missed.
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