ID :
206056
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 14:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206056
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA SET TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL HUB FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has kicked start an
initiative to bring in world renowned art works in hopes of making the country
an international hub for contemporary art tourism.
Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said she had started discussions
with international art agencies to bring in major pieces of art to be
exhibited here.
"We are having discussions with some government agencies and some museums to
bring all those art work to be exhibited here in order to boost our tourism
sector," she said after launching the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism
festival (1MCAT) here Thursday.
But Ng said so far no commitment could be made as those art pieces were
expensive with insurance very costly.
"Many people travel around the world just to look at one piece of art work
from international artists such as Van Gogh, Menay, Vanie and we want to part of
their stops," she said.
However, Dr Ng said the organising of the 1MCAT festival from July to
September, would showcase the most explosive, dynamic and provocative art
produced by internationally acclaimed Malaysian-born artists through a series of
exhibitions and seminars nationwide.
She said her ministry would be expanding the contemporary art scene and make
it a very important national tourism event product to attract international
tourists.
"This innovative campaign is more than just attracting tourists - it also
livens up the local art scene and opens the eyes of the locals to richness of
Malaysian art," she said.
She said the overwhelming response of 42,000 visitors and about RM14 million
(US$1=RM2.98) in art sales last year had been very encouraging.
She also said that the first auction by Henry Butcher of contemporary art
last year recorded RM1.7 million in total sales of 64 art pieces.
"For this year, the auction in July set a new record with RM3.1
million in total sales of 104 art pieces," she said.
She said the Malaysian contemporary art pieces were set to fetch very good
prices ranging from RM4,000 to RM400,000, which would contribute to economic
spin-offs and Tourism revenue when tourists purchased the items.
-- BERNAMA
initiative to bring in world renowned art works in hopes of making the country
an international hub for contemporary art tourism.
Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said she had started discussions
with international art agencies to bring in major pieces of art to be
exhibited here.
"We are having discussions with some government agencies and some museums to
bring all those art work to be exhibited here in order to boost our tourism
sector," she said after launching the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism
festival (1MCAT) here Thursday.
But Ng said so far no commitment could be made as those art pieces were
expensive with insurance very costly.
"Many people travel around the world just to look at one piece of art work
from international artists such as Van Gogh, Menay, Vanie and we want to part of
their stops," she said.
However, Dr Ng said the organising of the 1MCAT festival from July to
September, would showcase the most explosive, dynamic and provocative art
produced by internationally acclaimed Malaysian-born artists through a series of
exhibitions and seminars nationwide.
She said her ministry would be expanding the contemporary art scene and make
it a very important national tourism event product to attract international
tourists.
"This innovative campaign is more than just attracting tourists - it also
livens up the local art scene and opens the eyes of the locals to richness of
Malaysian art," she said.
She said the overwhelming response of 42,000 visitors and about RM14 million
(US$1=RM2.98) in art sales last year had been very encouraging.
She also said that the first auction by Henry Butcher of contemporary art
last year recorded RM1.7 million in total sales of 64 art pieces.
"For this year, the auction in July set a new record with RM3.1
million in total sales of 104 art pieces," she said.
She said the Malaysian contemporary art pieces were set to fetch very good
prices ranging from RM4,000 to RM400,000, which would contribute to economic
spin-offs and Tourism revenue when tourists purchased the items.
-- BERNAMA
