Malaysian Architects, Designers Shine At Venice La Biennale

By Azlee Nor Mahmud KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Twenty-four Malaysian architects, artists and multimedia designers are showcasing their best ideas and works at the International Architecture Exhibition-La Biennale in Venice from June 7 until Nov 23, 2014. Coordinated by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), the works and ideas are displayed at the pavilion of Malaysia themed "Sufficiency", said Malaysia Curatorial Team Leader Dr Tan Loke Mun. "We have a good number of young participants this year and it is wonderful to see new talents wanting to make their mark on the world stage. This is Malaysia's third participation at Venice La Biennale and the best so far," he told Bernama in an interview, recently. He described the theme of the Malaysia pavilion, 'Sufficiency' as thought provoking which is depicted by suspended pet cages, providing a surreal image and narrating a story of sufficiency. Tan said PAM was tasked with the setting up of a curatorial team for the iconic global architecture and art exhibition and coordinating the Malaysian participants by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). "The 24 participants were chosen by PAM through a series of competition. The teamwork and camaraderie between Matrade and the Malaysian architects and designers is fabulous from the planning stage right through the setting up of the pavilion and the opening ceremony," he said. Citing Matrade's support as instrumental to the success of the Malaysia pavilion, he said Matrade Chief Executive Officer Dr Wong Lai Sum and her officers, including those based in Milan, had provided the necessary support in terms of finance, liaison, installation of the pavilion, logistics, and media coverage. Tan said as Venice La Biennale is the world's most prestigious architecture exhibition, some participants regarded it as "the culmination of a lifetime of creative work, while for others, it is a gateway to many other opportunities and the international market." Tan, who was PAM president from 2005 to 2007, said the role played by Matrade was vital as it could leverage at the government level because putting together an exhibition on a big scale abroad was not easy. --BERNAMA