ASM ArtScience Prize 2022 Exhibition

ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health

ASM ArtScienceTM Prize 2022 Exhibition

“ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health”

Organisers:

Sponsored by:

ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health

© Academy of Sciences Malaysia 2023

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission in writing from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia

Level 20, West Wing, MATRADE Tower

Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah off Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim 50480

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Tel: +6 (03) 6203 0633

Fax: +6 (03) 6203 0634

FOREWORD

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation

Art and science have traditionally been viewed as separate and distinct fields. However, the convergence of art and science can lead to new insights and discoveries. ArtScienceTM, in sum, connects. The future of humanity and civil society depends on these connections. ArtScienceTM is a new way to explore culture, society, and human experience that integrates synesthetic experience with analytical exploration. It is knowing, analysing, experiencing, and feeling simultaneously. Todd Siler coined the “ArtScience” term for the first time in his book “Breaking the mind barrier” in 1990.

ArtScienceTM could be a way to improve human life by using transdisciplinary interactions between art and science. This method challenges us to reconsider our approach to innovation and generate new ideas for enhancing the planet and human well-being. ArtScienceTM provides novel perspectives for problem-solving and promotes innovative thinking.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) believes that the theme “ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health” has prompted participants to deeply consider the subject matter. Through discussions and interactions, new understandings and solutions can be developed.

With proper implementation, these concepts could become future solutions to address issues related to the nation’s sustainability, thereby championing the National Planetary Health Action Plan led by MOSTI and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM). This initiative is also aligned with MOSTI’s objective of driving innovation and promoting creativity in Malaysia.

Through ASM, MOSTI believes that the biennial ArtScienceTM Prize Initiative will stimulate new areas of interest and activities. ArtScienceTM is a field that welcomes everyone, regardless of their background - be it artists, engineers, anthropologists, designers, architects, and more. Congratulations to ASM, the Maybank Foundation, and strategic partners for providing a meaningful platform to promote the convergence of arts and sciences to the community.

MOSTI commends ASM and other strategic partners for their commitment to this important initiative. We hope their collaboration will inspire other industrygovernment partnerships to support ArtScienceTM and its potential to transform Malaysia’s innovation landscape. Ultimately, the convergence of arts and sciences in ArtScienceTM will lead to practical, beautiful, and inspiring solutions.

YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang

Academician Datuk Dr Tengku

Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc President, Academy of Sciences Malaysia

The ASM ArtScienceTM Initiative celebrates the convergence of scientific, technological, and artistic progress. The ArtScienceTM Prize provides an opportunity for artists and scientists to display their masterpieces, allowing them to translate their creativity into a form of art that incorporates both art and science. This exhibition opens the door to visitors to enjoy the exhibits and immerse themselves in the various forms of art, which include paintings, sculptures, animations, and illustrations.

The integration of art, science, culture, and technology presents a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of Planetary Health. ArtScienceTM may become an important means to promote awareness of the inextricable link between human life and the health of natural systems. Wise stewardship of the natural environment is essential for humanity to reverse the degradation of nature, a necessary step for a sustainable future.

This first-ever physical exhibition of ArtScienceTM brings together talented artists from across Malaysia, showcasing their artwork and providing them with a platform to enhance their scientific knowledge and artistic creativity. Through their artwork, they express and address society’s greatest concerns and challenges. By utilising art as one of the approaches towards understanding and appreciating Planetary Health, we may effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to the wider society in a people-friendly manner and foster a sense of responsibility towards protecting the environment.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Maybank Foundation and other strategic partners for their unwavering support of this initiative. Their generosity and dedication have made it possible to bring this exhibition to life. I also hope that this exhibition will serve as a catalyst for even greater collaboration and innovation in the future.

Izlyn Ramli CEO of Maybank Foundation

Maybank Group, through Maybank Foundation, is proud to serve community of all walks of life since its establishment in 1980s. In alignment with Maybank Foundation strategic direction, community programmes such as the exhibitions organised at Balai Seni Maybank throughout the year are anticipated to create a positive impact in communities of different backgrounds.

In a newfound strategic partnership between ASM and Maybank Foundation for the ASM ArtScienceTM Prize, we look forward to explore the exhibition through the fusion of art and science elements. ASM had first exhibited its ArtScienceTM Prize entitled Alangkah in Balai Seni Maybank through a virtual gallery in 2021. In continuation of this, we are excited to see the second ArtScienceTM Prize. This time around it will be a physical exhibition to showcase the top 23 ArtScienceTM creations from artists across Malaysia.

Entitled ‘ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health’, this exhibition is aligned with the Maybank Foundation’s 3 pillars namely Education, Sustainability & Community Empowerment, and Arts & Culture. I believe that it is important for the community to understand the concept of Planetary Health through this exhibition. It connects human well-being with the well-being of the Earth, including both its living and non-living systems. This is indeed a concept that should be acknowledged and learned by Malaysian citizen as anything we do will effectively shaped the future of our planet.

In view of the inclining global issues related to climate change recently, this exhibition could empower the community to understand different factors that affect the health of our planet from different angles and perspectives. This in turn will create a meaningful, measurable, and sustainable impacts, complementing Maybank Foundation’s aspiration to touch lives wherever we can to empower communities to build a better future, both for present and future generations.

My highest appreciation goes to ASM for organising the ArtScienceTM Prize competition and exhibition for the second time. I would also like to convey my appreciation to the president of ASM and their management, the ArtScienceTM Initiative Chairperson, the ArtScienceTM Steering Committee and subcommittee members, the curator and everyone who was involved in this collaboration. My warmest congratulations to all participating artists for such great works!

For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the Arts. This interest wove itself into my work when I was given the responsibility to set up and manage the National Planetarium in 1990. Tasked with producing shows and large format movies for the domed Space Theatre, I realised very quickly that to make my stories understandable yet compelling to the audience, I had to combine science with the ingredients of art. Thus began a challenging journey as there was little experience and interest available in such endeavours back then. Nevertheless, aside from the usual theatre shows, with the help of many friends, I produced and curated activities such as art and fashion competitions, plays, poetry readings, and even musical performances, all based on space science.

While this was gratifying, I felt the need to nurture, not just feed off, talent. I knew there was this group of talent who had not come forth and this emboldened me to set up the Artist-in-Residence programme and, of particularly profound impact, the Science-Inspired-Arts (ALAMI) Camps with the National Art Gallery. Bringing prominent scientists together with exceptionally talented artists in various fields and practices was the achievement of a lifetime dream for me.

I lost the financial and administrative backing of the National Planetarium and the National Space Agency when I retired. Dismayed, I could see that my work remained incomplete as the milieu that could support the convergence of the arts and sciences was still not prevalent. I had to take action. And thus, the idea was born to set up the ArtScienceTM Initiative under the auspices of the ASM. The rest is history.

I am eternally grateful to Puan Zanita Anuar of the National Art Gallery who was my partner in establishing the ALAMI Camp series and Puan Hazami Habib, the CEO of ASM, who helped me navigate the ASM waters to get the ArtScienceTM Initiative and Prize off the ground. I would also like to thank those dear friends, too many to mention, but I will give a shout-out to Ar. Hijjas Kasturi and Encik Ahmad Faezal, the former Head, CR & Maybank Foundation Secretariat of Maybank Foundation, who have unfailingly supported my sometimes-wild dreams. Our work is not done. This exhibition at Maybank is part of the long journey we still need to take.

Academician Professor Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Mazlan Othman FASc Chairperson, ASM ArtScienceTM Steering Committee

THE EXHIBITION

It is with great excitement and anticipation that I extend my warmest greetings to all of you as we embark on another year of the renowned ArtScienceTM Prize organised by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Maybank Foundation. As the Chairperson of ASM ArtScienceTM Prize 2022, I am honoured to be a part of this prestigious event that celebrates the harmonious union of art and science. This year, as we gather to explore the intersection of art and science, we have chosen a theme that is of utmost importance and relevance to our global communityPlanetary Health. The health and well-being of our planet and its ecosystems are intricately connected to our own health and the sustainability of our future. The concept of Planetary Health encompasses the interplay between human health, the environment, and the delicate balance that must be maintained to ensure its prosperity. This calls for a holistic approach that recognises the intricate web of relationships between human societies, biodiversity, climate change, and other ecological factors. Art has the remarkable ability to evoke emotions, challenge perceptions, and inspire action. Science provides us with the knowledge, tools, and insights to understand the intricacies of our world. By fusing these disciplines, we can create a powerful force that drives meaningful change and spurs collective action.

The ASM ArtScienceTM Prize 2022 has been overwhelmed by remarkable responses from creators across Malaysia and those living abroad. We received an impressive number of submissions, each showcasing diverse talents and innovative ideas. The selection process was rigorous, with a double selection process by the ArtScienceTM Prize subcommittee, followed by an evaluation from a panel of esteemed jurors. Out of these exceptional submissions, we have carefully chosen 23 finalists. To ensure high quality and artistic growth, these finalists have received personal consultations from our esteemed curator, Encik Nasir Baharuddin, and myself. During these consultations, we offered insights, constructive critiques, and guidance to assist them in enhancing their creations.

As we look forward to the 2022 ArtScienceTM Prize, I am filled with excitement and anticipation to witness the ground breaking works that will emerge from the brilliant minds and talents of artists, scientists, and innovators from Malaysia. I am confident that the artworks and projects that will be showcased will shed light on the intricate relationship between human health and the health of our planet, while inspiring us to take a proactive role in shaping a sustainable future.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our esteemed panel of juries, our dedicated team - the subcommittee and the ASM secretariats, as well as our esteemed strategic partners for their unwavering support in making the ArtScienceTM Prize a beacon of excellence in the realm of art and science. I also extend my gratitude to all the participants who have poured their heart and soul into their creations, pushing the boundaries of their respective fields and contributing to the advancement of humanity’s collective knowledge. Together, let us embark on this exciting journey of exploration, innovation, and inspiration, as we strive to preserve and enhance the Planetary Health that sustains us all.

Dr Roslina Ismail (Lyne Ismail) Chairperson

ASM ArtScienceTM Prize Subcommittee

CURATOR’S NOTE

For this Exhibition, the curator has a major task in designing, planning, and shaping a textual space to promote the idea of collaborative knowledge through the process of invention and exploration by artists/scientists – seeking new possibilities to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation of ‘thinking culture’ to the next level.

Based on environmental sustainability and health…

It is an observation about the interconnectedness of the environment, biodiversity, and human health as a subject matter in creating an ArtScienceTM creative process.

The aim is to inspire people to see the beauty and fragility of nature and thus feel a deeper sense of responsibility towards the environment. In this regard, the convergence of art and science can help create a dialogue between people about environmental issues and encourage them to become active participants in creating a healthier planet. This exhibition addresses the root cause of scientific and sociocultural environmental problems, including climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and cultural disorder. This, in turn, will give a powerful sensation in raising awareness about the planet’s health and promotes positive changes in our relationship with the environment to create a more resilient and sustainable world.

The concept of planetary health as a process of these art-science creation is closely related to the human culture and condition because it involves our physical, emotional, and social well-being within the context of the environment. The quality of the environment, including air and water quality, availability of natural resources, and biodiversity can have significant impacts on human/animal health.

Contextually, based on the issue, the objective and challenge of this ArtScienceTM exhibition is to inspire …

…open-mindedness, curiosity, creativity, imagination, critical-thinking/ discourse and problem solving through research, analytical exploration, innovation, and collaboration

… in addressing the empirical and qualitative knowledge in setting a new object hypothesis of human mind and existence of tangibility.

How the subject and knowledge of art and science uses natural environment:

Coding and recoding the intangibility to a new colour of emotion and introduced the empirical expression of looking things that integrates synesthetic experience with analytical exploration. It is knowing, analysing, experiencing, interaction and feeling simultaneously. – (Synaesthesia is an anomalous blending of the senses in which the stimulation of one modality simultaneously produces sensation in a different modality. Synesthetes hear colours, feel sounds, and taste shapes)

Overall, with the rise of technology, the practice of art and science has the power to transform sociocultural environment in many ways:

How it is used, and the cultural context in which it is introduced…

Advanced technologies could lead to new forms of art and science that are completely immersive and interactive, allowing viewers to experience artwork through installation, virtual, artificial intelligence (AI), or augmented reality. This could create new opportunities for collaboration between artists, scientists, and engineers to extend and develop new ways of method as process of creation.

To conclude, the future of art and science is likely to be influenced by the ongoing development of technology and the continued evolution of cultural values and norms. As artists and scientists continue to explore the intersections between their fields, we may see exciting new developments and unexpected collaborations that transform the artistic and scientific landscapes of the future.

A NEW Beginning … for transforming art and culture

How they can change the issues of sociocultural environment in an interesting way as a new research creation and artistic production.

Nasir Baharuddin

In recognition of the amalgamation of art and science to forge a new synergy of creativity and innovation, ASM established the ASM ArtScienceTM Initiative in 2019. The mission and objective of this initiative is to nurture creativity at the convergence of art and science as well as to harness the art in the acculturation of science in Malaysia.

The ancient Nautilus Shell, which is a symbol of proportional perfection, has become the branding of the ASM ArtScienceTM Initiative. It is one of the most inspiring and energetic forms known to humankind. The yellow colour of the shell symbolises sunshine and its association to joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. It produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, and is said to stimulate mental activity and generate muscle energy.

The ASM ArtScience™ Initiative, playing the role of the Thought Leader in the ArtScienceTM domain in Malaysia, will be the catalyst that would nurture creativity and acculturate science in the Malaysian society. This should galvanise new areas of interest and activities that combine the art and science, which in turn could support the four components of the Malaysian Creative Industry, namely art, media, creative services and design, and cultural heritage.

As a first step to achieve this goal, the ASM ArtScience™ Prize is organised to compel interest in ArtScienceTM amongst the public and as a call for action amongst those working at the interface between the art and science. This Prize was the first ever established in Malaysia in response to the emergence of the artist-scientist community.

The ArtScience™ Prize is also a unique competition as it focuses on projects and products that highlight the convergence of art and science. It encourages the pursuit of innovative art and design ideas at the cutting edge of science. Participation in the competition is open to all Malaysian; artists, ArtScienceTM practitioners, scientists, designers, etc. An exhibition is curated to showcase the works of the finalists of the Prize so that the ArtScienceTM concept underlying each work can be appreciated by people of all walks of life.

RATIONALE ON THE ArtScienceTM Lens on Planetary Health

Our health and well-beings are tied to how we treat nature and its resources and covers very broad transdisciplinary subject matters that are crucial for the sustainability of this planet.

For this year’s submission, an unlimited number of interpretations of the theme can be explored; gigantic to microscopical details of the subject matter; embracing artistic, philosophical, sociological, economic or technological perspectives.

An interconnection between human well-being, animal well-being and the health of the earth

Climate crisis/addressing concerns of ecological crises/greenwashing/ sociopolitical impact

Green technologies/green solutions/mitigation strategies/digital living

Circular economy/alternative material/sustainability

ARTISTS and ARTWORKS

“Boxxie-Head” is a cardboard artwork commemorating the loss of species of the Sumatran rhino that once roamed the foothills and rainforests in Asia. The species was officially declared extinct in the wild of Malaysia in August 2015. A distinctive kind of art known as ‘sculpture’ can beautifully and meaningfully encapsulate the essence of an occasion. Cardboard sculpture denotes artworks made from different types of this material and is beyond the apparent call for recycling. It is repurposing the cardboard waste into something through a moving process.

The artists studied the strength and dynamic of cardboard through its corrugated structure and design performance to measure and calculate subject proportions and settings through space and size. The artists understand bone structure through science and how skin and fats respond to posture. It gives them several renditions of vague ideas contemplating subject weight and properties.

The artwork is a group initiative of three academicians from the Ceramic Department, College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam. They recognise the importance of art, innovation and the power of science to shape the world. By adding arts to science, the artists embrace the overall learning experience creatively.

Ts Verly Veto Vermol Zuraidy Abd Rahim Khairul Nizan Mohd Aris

Boxxie-Head

Category: Visual Art

This art project has been created by taking autocorrelation functions of the ThueMorse sequence and putting its values in a table, assigning colours to each value on the table, and generating images demonstrating how mathematics can reveal the hidden beauty of nature. The Thue-Morse sequence inspired this artwork, a sequence that is a nonrepeating sequence of 0s and 1s used in mathematical physics to model a quasicrystal. Taking the autocorrelation function of this sequence can help understand diffraction patterns when light shines on a quasicrystal.

The artwork is a collaboration of Professor Dr Darren Ong Chung Lee, a Professor of Mathematics at Xiamen University, and Loh Jia Jun, a Kuen Cheng High School teacher. They encourage the viewers not to take our planet for granted, as it has much beauty that is not evident at first sight.

Professor Dr Darren Ong Chung Lee

Loh Jia Jun

Abstract Art Generated by Quasicrystal Diffraction Patterns

of Quasicrystals

Category: Visual Art

“The Diary of a Mountain Tree” is an animation inspired by illegal logging driven by the weak law enforcement and a lack of awareness and empathy. This animation aimed to raise awareness in society about the importance of forest conservation and hopes to inspire a sense of love for our forest and to do our best to protect it from any threat.

The animation was built using Autodesk 3ds Max, specifically utilising a low poly animation style, which involves 3D models with a low number of polygons. During the animation process, several techniques were applied, such as camera placement and music selection, to ensure the animation was engaging.

This project is a collective effort by students and a lecturer from the School of Mathematical Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia. They believe that trees play an essential role in sustaining nature, including all living things that depend on it as well as preserving the health of the planet.

Shameemi Musthafa Nur Fathihah Rosli Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Lutfi Amri Ramli

The Diary of a Mountain Tree

Category: Visual Art, New Media

Healing Extensions for Planetary Health - ‘Inner Healing of the People helps in the External Healing of the World.’

This art project is about constructing a creative support system for wheelchair bound people with the help of visuals and sounds. This is an interactive moving art project focusing on mental well-being that involves healing with the help of the user’s imagination. This inclusive artwork also reaches out to non-wheelchair users, with it being a tangible work, it even interacts with the visually impaired. Thus, it connects people from different walks of life and makes them more sensitive, responsive, and kind to the earth. This project believes that improving people’s mental health will make them more concerned about nature and positively impact the environment around them.

Artist Dhakshini Jeganathan came up with the experimental kinetic art form called ‘Moving Paintings’ where the art is of shape shifting nature and can be physically moved and shaped by the audience who interacts and plays with it.

Dhakshini’s previous kinetically themed works are ‘Healing Extensions’, that won 2 awards in BMS 2021. Two of her interactive moving wheel art installations from her series ‘The Wandering Story Tellers’ were exhibited in ‘Spotlight’ exhibition, Penang and in ‘MEA Art Awards’, Kuala Lumpur in 2022. The Three-Legged Man, Trojan War Scene, Abstract puppet, and Puzzle Painting were artworks exhibited in Goethe, Chennai, India, in October 2019.

Dhakshini Jeganathan Jayasathya Pannerselvam

Freedom of the Soul and MindArt for Everyone- “Inner Healing of the People helps in the External Healing of the World”

Category: Visual Art

“Momentum Cinta” is a physics-inspired song that demonstrates physics formulas commonly taught at high school. In the animation, the plot revolves around a man running to do a critical task symbolising how a small act can significantly impact preserving the planet’s health. The animation was created using Blender.

Lecturers ran this project from the School of Mathematical Sciences and School of Physics at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Also taking part in the project is a student from the animation studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara. The animation simplified the physics concept, and they hope this approach will generate interest in science amongst school students.

Associate Professor

Dr Ahmad Lutfi Amri Ramli

Badrul Munir Mad Asri

Dr Mohd Mahadi Halim

Momentum Cinta

Category: Visual Art, New Media

Eiffel Chong

“A Fragile Thing Called Man” is an abstract concept of life and death through the banal details, silent landscapes, and curious obsessions observed daily. This artwork uses a unique camera technique to create the toy-like miniaturisation of the city, making the infrastructure appear incredibly fragile. These techniques transform the ‘created world’ into a ‘fictional world’.

Eiffel Chong would like to bring the world to the perspective of holding a magnifying glass and peering at mortal beings as they mind their daily business, forgetting that there is always something more powerful than them. He would like to bring a realisation to human society that we are more fragile than we thought. We are not the fittest creature on earth, and there is always a force bigger than humans.

A Fragile Thing Called Man

Category: Visual Art

Leong Yoke Mee

“I Belong to the Forest” is a picture book that tells a story about a sun bear’s cub who was taken from its mother and sold as a pet at the illegal market. The cub, later, underwent rehabilitation and returned to the wild. The setting of this story took place at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sepilok, Sandakan, Sabah. Ammi Leong Yoke Mee was inspired to write the book during her visit to BSBCC. Her illustration was drawn from observing the bear’s activities in the conservation centre.

Leong Yoke Mee believes in the power of pictures and illustration. She hoped her artwork would bring amazement, respect, and appreciation for the life of the sun bear in society. Amongst her illustrated picturebooks that have been selected in the 2021 IBBY Malaysia Honor list are “Anak Murid yang Memakai Kain Cawat”, “I Belong to the Forest”, and “A Seahorse Story”. Other picture books of hers are “A friend of dusky langur” and “The Green Map of Penang’s Street Trees”. These picture books also highlight wildlife and sea creatures.

“I Belong to the Forest” Picture Book. The story of a sun bear cub returning

to the forest.

Category: Visual Art

“Rags & Ragas” is a collection of environmental poems that discuss the themes on the degradation of our planet through deforestation, carbon emissions, pollution of air & water, lop-sided development, and political mismanagement. The poems are printed on reconstituted, as distinct from recycled paper. Free from bleach or dye, this unique material has been reconstituted from gunny sacks, rope, paddy husk, cigarette packs, discarded cardboard boxes & brown paper bags. It was initially used for city council bus tickets in the 50s.

Cecil Rajendra has been writing activist environmental poems for over 50 years. Deemed controversial, his passport was impounded in 1994 to prevent him from presenting his poems abroad. After an international outcry, it was returned to him and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) urged him to put together a compilation of his environmental poems, i.e. Rags & Ragas, for use in schools, colleges and universities to educate and raise ecological awareness.

Cecil Rajendra

Rags & Ragas

Category: Visual Art

“Connecting the Dots” is a visual art portraying plastic waste found on beaches along Kuala Langat Coastline. This artwork aims to bring awareness to the public about the severity of plastic pollution in Malaysia and around the globe. Plastic pollution is a threat to planetary health, and it affects human health, biodiversity and ecosystems.

In this artwork, plastic waste found on beaches around the coast of Kuala Langat was gathered, cleaned and utilised in this visual art. The waves with all the microplastic particles show the impacts of plastic waste pollution, serving as a stark reminder that this problem persists and continues to wreak havoc on the environment and the overall ecosystem. The human icon, intertwined with microplastics, vividly illustrates how the environmental impacts of plastic waste extend far beyond marine ecosystems, ultimately placing the burden of ongoing pollution squarely on humanity’s shoulders.

The final visual art piece, encompassing a 130cm tall x 80cm wide piece of plywood, featured an assortment of plastic waste in various types and colors. The composition consisted of a staggering 450 plastic waste items meticulously arranged alongside approximately 35,000 microplastic particles. This artistic representation graphically communicated the vast array of plastic waste discarded on beaches by the public, effectively capturing the diverse range of plastics that pollute our coastal environments.

Sarva Mangala Praveena is an academician from Universiti Putra Malaysia who is mainly engaged in understanding environmental pollution impacts. Her latest research interest is in quantifying microplastic sources and their occurrence in the environment.

Sri Themudu is a Chief Programme Officer of Green Growth Asia Foundation, an esteemed NGO that actively engages in raising environmental awareness and promoting education amongst school children.

Associate Professor Dr Sarva Mangala Praveena

Sri Themudu Nurul Syamimah Misran

Connecting the Dots

Category: Visual Art

“Woman in Black and White” is a visual art project focusing on the philosophical perspective of Black and White Photography Experimental in a Darkroom Science Laboratory. The visual artwork produced is aimed at highlighting nature and climate change issues, with images produced by three artists who are also photography lecturers. The project uses expired black and white material and manual processes such as Single Lens Reflex (SLR), Film Development, Silver Gelatin Image Print and digital prints.

Andrialis Abdul Rahman, Ellyana Mohd Muslim Tan, and Siti Norfatulhana Ishak are three lecturers majoring in art photography. According to the artists, the artwork exemplifies a variety of experimental methods and subject matter. In addition, it identifies topics based on shared experiences in order to assist viewers in comprehending problems requiring actions.

Andrialis Abdul Rahman Ts Ellyana Mohd Muslim Tan Siti Norfatulhana Ishak

Woman in Black and White

Category: Visual Art

Nai Vongsuthep Wong Sowat

“Site-specific Installation-Coral Garden” is a visual presentation of natural reef habitats built using natural resources such as rocks, broken shells, and pH-neutral high-grade cement. This artwork is designed to mimic the natural reef habitat and help marine ecology. This site-specific installation aims to create public awareness of the importance of sustainable development within life below water and contribute to sustaining the ecosystem of living things and inspire further research practices for sustainable development in the field of art.

The Principal Investigator, Nai Vongsuthep Wong Sowat, has been designing and creating various artworks, including props, sculptures, murals, and graphic designs. He completed a 170-foot long, 40-foot tall, and 12-foot-deep recycled sculpture, which is installed at LimKokWing University. This sculpture was commissioned by the late Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing.

He hopes this research will inspire more artistic practices and bring about social changes in creative education. It also intends to encourage other artists to communicate their ideas in a beautiful language and take a humanising approach that creates a strong emotional connection with communities and the universe, thus enabling them to raise awareness and tell stories.

Site-specific Installation as a Coral Garden

Category: Visual art, Time-based, New media

Hoo Zhi Xin (Mich)

“Save our Nasi Lemak” is a visual art centred on the effect of climate crisis on the food supply. The climate crisis is an urgent issue that requires attention from society. However, the artist realised that it is challenging to bring an understanding of the climate crisis to the public on an individual level. Motivated by this, the artist was inspired to bring a closer-to-home approach by creating art that meets the local narrative: We could risk not having Nasi Lemak in the near future, because of how climate change affects our food supply.

This artwork uses several mediums that represent a specific issue that she would like to address. The banana leaf, rice, and eggshells carry individual meanings towards climate change. For example, the eggshells arranged in ‘Trencadis’ are a visual hint of global warming, whereas anchovies relay the ocean warming issue. The artist hoped her artwork could bring society’s attention to climate urgency. Trained as an architectural and urban designer, Mich’s vision is to raise collective awareness and responsibilities towards our environment. She has several other projects, using art as a tool for social advancement, namely, Time to Rice, Duduk Rumah Artists, and Urban Storybook.

Climate Crisis is Food Crisis: Save Our Nasi Lemak!

Category: Visual art, Time-based

“Aquascape” is a compilation of cyanotypes of native and invasive plant species. Amongst the species made as subjects are Potamogeton crispus, Myriophyllum aquaticum and Myriophyllum spicatum. These plants are invasive and may be a threat to the habitat. This artwork was aimed to highlight the danger of introducing non-indigenous species to a new habitat.

These collections are the products of three artists, Associate Professor Faridah Qamaruz Zamana, a biologist from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Professor Dr Kenneth Cameron, a botanist, and Sarah Friedrich, a graphic designer from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They chose Cyanotype as a medium for this artwork because it is impactful and aesthetically pleasing whilst delivering an important message about the environment. The artists realise that it is crucial to bring people’s attention to invasive plant species because these plants are damaging and cause imbalance to the ecosystem. They hope that through this collection, the public will be much more aware when they bring new species to a new ecosystem.

Associate Professor Faridah Qamaruz

Zaman

Professor Dr Kenneth Cameron

Sarah Friedrich

Category: Visual art

“Four-legged Malaysian Treasures” is an illustration artwork inspired by Malaysian wildlife. In this artwork, the artist focuses on animals not highlighted in mainstream media. Most of the subjects are animals that are endangered and extinct. The concept of the drawings is playful and childlike, symbolising the artist’s curiosity when seeing and learning about the animal.

SofsDoodles, or Sofia Munira, is a Malaysian outdoor educator and doodle artist. She published her comic book “Sofs Doodles: Returning to my roots” in 2021 with Malaysian Publishing House. Sofia believes in the importance of maintaining biodiversity in the ecosystem. She hopes “The Four-Legged Malaysian Treasures” will inspire the public to develop their curiosity about wildlife and drives them to protect the animals and their habitat.

Sofia Munira Mohd Shamsunahar

Four-Legged Malaysian Treasures

Category: Visual art

Feeling Freedom is an emotion, an expression of going beyond boundaries, unrestrained by convention. Without Limits.

This year’s theme, Planetary Health, highlights the essential connection between art, imagination, and healing. Movement-based creative expressions like drawing and painting offer healing and therapeutic advantages, particularly for those with limited mobility. “With every stroke on the canvas, I feel lighter and liberated. As the image grows on paper, I see my dreams transforming into reality. I have learned to hold my brushes at a certain angle, where my signature strokes almost move independently. As I contemplate the beauty, speed, and history of these cars, my thoughts translate into black strokes on paper, giving life to my imagination.”

Krithin, a 22-year-old, differently abled youth, who was born with cerebral palsy, is the self-published author of Without Limits. Despite his disability, he lives a full life, embracing a #withoutlimits mindset. Recently, he graduated with a Level 2 Diploma in Automotive Studies and has a passion for designing luxury electric sports cars for differently abled individuals, particularly for those who share his love for style and speed.

Krithin Paul Pereira

Feeling Freedom

Category: Visual art

“Perennial Symbiosis” is a multimedia eco-art installation that inspires a reenvisioned world of coexistence through the beauty of the knowledge that all species on earth, organism, and machine alike, are interconnected. The artwork also touches on ecocritical poetry that urges the audience to reflect on their behaviour and relationship with nature. Perennial is defined as lasting or existing for an infinite amount of time, and Symbiosis means living together in the close union of two (or more) dissimilar organisms.

This project combines ecological thinking with new media methods with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) generation in an art installation. AI toolsets were used to train a dataset of over 200 images of terrestrial creatures, objects, and landscapes, combining the critical characteristics of each to form a new ‘associated’ organism. In a way, the Perennial Symbiosis is shaped and inspired by the science and ecology of the planet.

Leanna Chan is a final-year student majoring in Media Arts at Multimedia University’s Faculty of Creative Multimedia in Cyberjaya. She draws inspiration from personal experiences and constantly experiments with various mediums to give her audience a new perspective on the world around them.

Leanna Chan Li Yean

Perennial Symbiosis

Category: Visual Art, New Media

The production of palm leaves pots is aligned with the concept of waste to wealth. The idea of the “Development of Palm Leaves Pot” was one of the ways to reduce organic waste and overcome pollution problems. The novelty of this product is that the pot is produced without the need for a heat press and uses only two plastic pots of different diameters as the moulds. While growing, the plants can absorb some nutrients from the pot itself. The pots can last more than 30 days, sufficient for the seeds to develop into young plants. Once the plant is ready for field growth, the pot can be planted directly into the soil hence minimising root damage to the plant.

This Palm Leaves Pot is an excellent convergence of its serving convenience and biodegradability. The pot contains some nutrients for commercial purposes, or it can be added with extra growth chemicals during the moulding process. Hence, this pot can be decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms, which directly leads to no pollution produced. The team comprises five Diploma in Science students and is assisted by a lecturer from the Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak.

Millaa-Armilla Asli Senorita Anak Billy

Development of Palm Leaves Pot

Category: Visual Art

“Marble Eclipse @ Gerhana Guli” features a terrarium in a glass marble floating in space, with plants representing life and a stone-like texture below symbolising soil. The glass marble represents the barrier between a harsh galactic environment and a haven for life, emphasising the delicate balance between beauty and fragility. Lighting and texture highlight the details and materials, while a solar eclipse situation creates contrast and drama. This visual piece conveys the significance of environmental sustainability and the need to balance nature’s forces and human progress. It reminds us of the fragility of life on our planet and the importance of maintaining a healthy planetary ecosystem. This piece includes Augmented Reality for a more immersive experience.

Rashdaleena Athiefa, a PhD candidate at Universiti Malaya received an undergraduate degree in Animation and Visual Effects from Multimedia University. She generated this artwork using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool. The artwork was created using mid-journey with specific word prompts, such as unreal engine 5, octane, cinema 4D, vray, 3D render and volumetric lighting for a realistic generated render. This visual piece represents the relationship between art and science, showcasing the importance of a healthy planetary ecosystem with an extended realm of reality.

Rashdaleena Athiefa Abdul Rashid

Marble Eclipse @ Gerhana Guli

Category: Visual Art, New Media

“Boxes of Seasons” is a travelling photography exhibition on recyclable boxes. Box symbolises hidden treasures; in this case, ‘Piama‘, the traditional oral calendar of the Northerners of Peninsular Malaysia, is our passing along wisdom and cultural heritage. ‘Piama’ means the year’s season distinguished by special climate conditions. It keeps track of environmental markers and connects physical and biological events with the timing of sociocultural activities. Each season’s light, temperature, weather, and ecological patterns repeats yearly. Slight climate changes will impact humans and wildlife, plundering the planet earth.

This exhibit is curated to motivate the general public to observe the seasonal cycles in their habitat closely, anticipate climate change, and take action to combat global warming. This is to create meaningful self-reflection and spread awareness of planetary health. The inter-relationship between abiotic/biotic elements of nature and the cultural system of human society symbolises the intersection of scientific and artistic philosophies.

The team has different backgrounds - an ethno-astronomer, a nature activist, and a professional photographer. Nevertheless, they share a similar passion which is storytelling through photography. The artists hope visitors learn about the ecological calendar through interpretive exhibits and photographic narratives.

Nurul Fatini Jaafar Shaiful Azhar Abu Bakar Mohd Safuan Salahudin

Boxes of Seasons

Category: Visual Art

The Bees demonstrate well-rounded behaviour with “The Crown” framework: Core, Relevant, Organise, Winning mindset, and Networking. However, due to anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and pollution, the population of bees, including the stingless bees, is affected and facing challenges. To address the depopulation of stingless bees, Dr Mohd Zulkifli Mustafa and his team at USM initiated the Kelulunomic project which aims to provide institutional protections and enhance their habitat by promoting beekeeping using the MUSTAFA-Hive. The hive is designed to encourage the domestication of bees and promote cleaner honey-producing methods through a monolayer honey pot-induction system. Traditional Malay houses inspire this innovative and climate-compliant beekeeping system.

The project also seeks to promote sustainable honey production amongst local communities, which could contribute to socio-economic growth, species survival, and ecological preservation. By protecting and preserving the stingless bee population and their habitats, we can help to ensure the well-being of both humans and bees and contribute to the overall health of our planet.

Dr Mohd Zulkifli

Mustafa

Dr Rohimah Mohamud

Dr Lidawani Lambuk

The Crown

Category: New Media

Colours can significantly impact our emotions, thoughts, and even physical responses. The colours in the form of dyes are used in many industries such as textile, pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, paint, etc. About 10% of the dyes used are discharged as wastewater to the environment, leading to water pollution, environmental issues and climate change, as well as affecting the human body.

“BioFILTER: Dye Adsorption Towards Better Water Quality and Sustainability” was a project led by Associate Professor Dr Zunaida Zakaria and two researchers from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. The team used a BioFILTER that contains highly porous activated carbon from rice husk ash and is embedded in sodium alginate to demonstrate the relationship between art and science through the adsorption of dyes by BioFILTER in wastewater towards a better water quality and sustainability.

Upon adding the BioFILTER, the colour patterns were created and diffused into the BioFILTER, changing the colour of the dye from bright blue to colourless. The dye adsorption moment was mesmerised and captured using the portable Dino-lite digital microscope. Colour patterns could be interpreted from visual to quantitative results through dye adsorption. Ultimately the team realised that art and science are closely related, where creativity involves imagination, and imagination is visualisation.

Associate Professor Ts Dr Zunaida

Zakaria

Associate Professor Ts Dr Hakimah Osman

Nurul Izzati Muhammad Zakir

BioFILTER: Dyes Adsorption Towards Better Water Quality and Sustainability

Category: Visual art, Time-based

“Garden of Light” is conceptually a state-of-the-art, high-tech architecture with minimal maintenance and off-grid, solar-powered mechanical equipment (a water pump) aquaponics structure. Aquaponics can be a promising approach to creating more resilient and accessible food systems in urban and suburban communities by bringing gardens closer to the community. Aquaponics, a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, can provide nutritious and complete food in a recirculating environment.

The garden of light can be one of the simple solutions in combining art and science to make nutritious, delicious, and affordable food available to the community with low maintenance and solar-powered energy. It is the proposal suggested to merge the edible garden and hightech architecture with the interplay of lights and their effects.

The team consists of Muhammad Amzar, Zul Fadzly, and Azli Dayana, who are from an architectural background and practising with different industries. Muhammad Amzar is an architect and designer primarily working in luxury hospitality. He is also a production designer for Perceive, an entertainment art collaborative group. Zul Fadzly is an architect, academia, and artist named ‘Gharib’. His work primarily focuses on South Asian Timber Art Carpentry, specialising in tanggam jointing. He actively collaborates with various architects and artists in projects incorporating art, science, and architecture. Azli Dayana is an interior designer for one of the established design firms in Kuala Lumpur. She can design exceptional details of products such as functional art and furniture.

Muhammad Amzar Shamsul Kamar

Zul Fadzly Mohd Salleh

Azli Dayana Azman

Garden of Light

Category: Time-based

The team behind Khalifah are Syafiq Alia’m (contemporary artist), Darween Reza (M&E engineer) and Hilman Nordin (software developer). The team has known each other since 2020 and collaborated on several projects. They aim to converge art and technology in this work by combining the different skillsets from each contributing member and create something striking and meaningful. The installation serves as a testament to both human ingenuity for productivity and insanity. Introducing Khalifah, an interactive installation that invites you to engage in the art of paper cutting. In this installation, the robotic hands symbolise the power and responsibility of the choices that we have to make every day, where most of the choices now involve technology. The main parts of the robotic arm are made from a repurposed bomb disposal robot created by a local startup company.

Darween developed the robot and led the company to pitch the idea, securing a government grant to develop the robot that was sent from one door to another. Syafiq saw the opportunity to bring the robot back to life by giving it another task - to help people attain some meaningful insights in decision-making and technology. Syafiq has transformed the original robot into an art piece - with Hilman implementing the programming that interfaces the robot and a touchscreen controller for the visitors to experience the narrative. As we move towards more technology in our daily lives, we must stop and think if implementing it is the right choice. This installation touches on planetary health themes and encourages us to be brave enough to make decisions that benefit the Earth.

Syafiq Alia’m

Dr Mohamad Hilman Nordin Ts Darween Reza Sabri

Category: New Media

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ASM ArtScienceTM Initiative Steering Committee Members

Chairperson:

Academician Professor Emerita Tan Sri

Dr Mazlan Othman FASc

Tan Sri Datuk Yong Poh Kon FASc

Professor Emerita Dato’ Dr. Siti Zuraina

Abdul Majid FASc

Dr Roslina Ismail

University Malaya

Associate Professor Dr. Ramlan @ Razlan Abdullah

Jury Members

Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor FASc

Professor Dr Ruslan Abdul Rahim

Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA)

Dr Zaidi Md Isa

ArtScience Practitioner

Dr Roopesh Sitharan

Multimedia University (MMU)

Wendy Teo Borneo Laboratory

Supporting Partners

Associate Professor Dr. Lakshmi

Selvaratnam

Monash University Malaysia

Professor Harold Thwaites

Sunway University

Puan Wan Zaleha Radzi

Co-founder Maker Land

ASM ArtScienceTM Prize 2022 Subcommittee

Chairperson, Dr Roslina Ismail

Zanita Anuar

Tan Ejan

Dr Lim Kok Yoong

Associate Professor Dr Sarena Abdullah

Brandon Anak Simon Scott

Dr Siti Hawa Ngalim

Universiti Malaya (UM)

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Monash University Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Balai Seni Negara

Toccata Studio

Yayasan Telekom Malaysia

Multimedia University (MMU)

Maybank Foundation Team

ASM Managements Team

Pn Hazami Habib, CEO

Pn Nitia Samuel, CSO

Seetha Ramasamy, COO

Dharshene Rajayah, CIAC

Sheril Rizal Vincent, Senior Analyst

Vinotheni Rajendran, Analyst

Khairunnisa Kadaruddin, Analyst

Norsyahira Shakri, Analyst

Wan Safiyyah Nurnajah Wan Ahmad Tajuddin, Analyst

Matthew Raj Alias, Analyst

Mohd Najmie Mohd Yusoff, Multimedia Programmer

Naina Afifi Rosly, Graphic Designer

Ilham Raudhah Syazwani Mohd Razman, Junior Editor

Najib Mohd Idris, Senior Executive Communication

Muhammad Akmal Hakim Mohamad, Multimedia Content Creator

Syakirah Nurizzati Mohamad Hood, Public Relations Executive

Siti Sarah Abd Rahman, Public Relations Executive

Norsuhada Adnan, Senior Executive

Aida Syarafina Ismail, Executive

Nur Nabihah Muhammad Nazri, Executive

Muhammad Saiful Bahri Wan Din - Admin Assistant

Muhammad Zakwan Shah Shahrudin - Assistant Executive

Saiful Suhairi Suarni, Senior Executive

Shahridzal Aizat Shahrum, Admin Executive

Muhammad Effandie Nordin, Assistant Executive IT

Sazarul Aini Sabot, Assistant Analyst

Khairul Nisak Alias, Admin Assistant

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