New art installation in KL's Chinatown takes light and shadow play to new heights

Visitors taking photos at the ‘Illuminating Shadows' art installation in Kwai Chai Hong in KL. The newly rejuvenated Kwai Chai Hong laneway's latest experimental art installation created by Alice Chang plays on perspective using lights and shadows. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan

The new art installation at Kwai Chai Hong in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is a stunning experimental piece that involves a play on perspective using lights and shadows.

The work created by artist/sculptor Alice Chang (whose ‘The Lady’ porcelain sculpture was on display in the same area earlier this year) is titled Illuminating Shadows, features a "Giant Rabbit Sculpture" and "Chaser Rabbits".

Initially created in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival in September, these works reference the Jade Rabbit and traditional Running Horse lantern.

"In Chinese folklore, the benevolent Jade Rabbit lives with Chang-E on the moon and is always seen preparing the elixir of life," says Chang.

Taking inspiration from how the pandemic and ensuing restrictions have impacted society, Chang constructed a cage measuring 2.4m x 1.5m with metal wires, and utilised holographic squares to create an illusion through reflected images.

Chang's 'Giant Rabbit' installation is seen at the ‘Illuminating Shadows' art installation in Kwai Chai Hong in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan

In this new series, Chang stayed faithful to the use of Chinese culture and tradition in a contemporary setting.

"If you look carefully around us. There is beauty everywhere. What we have gone through in the last year and the half, of on-going lockdowns and constant fear of uncertainty, has made me realised how important a positive mindset is,” says Chang.

As KL slowly recovers, the artist wanted to create something that was relevant to fellow Malaysians during these challenging times and remind people not to lose hope.

“While we continue to recover from this (pandemic), I wanted to create art that will help change people’s perception of the darker times in life and instead, look at it with a different lens. The showcase is designed in such a way that encourages people to look up too. The play on lights and shadows is my interpretation of this beautiful thing we call, life,” she adds.

"In many ways, the cage-like structure symbolises the rules and SOPs laid upon us but also the unwavering respect we have for all frontliners. Thanks to their resilience, brighter days are ahead. We wish to spread positive vibes through this art installation,” says Zeen Chang, managing partner of Bai Chuan Management, in a statement.

At night, Chang's installations transform the Kwai Chai Hong area into an enchanting laneway. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan

Project Kwai Chai Hong is Bai Chuan Management’s first project which features the restoration of the facade of 10 heritage shop houses and rejuvenation of the laneway in between Lorong Panggung and Jalan Petaling.

In 2020, the 27m "Flying Dragon" installation swooped in for a grand Chinese New Year celebration, while different interpretations of the celestial Jade Rabbit delighted visitors in "Hops and Dreams" during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This year’s Illuminating Shadows is another creative take on tradition, life and art.

Also on display at Kwai Chai Hong is Vivid Streams, which ponders on the twists and turns in life using the same holographic material that has been manipulated into various shapes, to embody the fluidity life has to offer.

“With elements of the wind and sun, the shadows come to life with vibrant colours that are synonymous with the presence of beauty in everything. Visitors will be delighted to find a change in perspective since shadows are typically dark in nature,” according to a statement.

Illuminating Shadows is on public display until Dec 5.

Kwai Chai Hong is open to the public daily from 9am to 10pm, with strict SOPs observed within the vicinity.