The massive structure 'Bilik Sejahtera' stands at 2.4m tall. Photo: KongsiKL
Bilik Sejahtera is a new public art series at KongsiKL that "locks" you in a makeshift room for an intimate self exploration journey.
This free admission event is a project by Seni Tiga Lab: Unit A which is taking place on Jan 21-23 (2pm-10pm).
Visitors are encouraged to actively participate in this reflective solo journey (three minutes per cycle) to contemplate the experience of uncertainty and confinement through a series of procedures, operations and simulations.
“Being uncertain could be one of the most common feelings to all of us during these two years. Bilik Sejahtera is meant to raise questions and reflections from the audience, whether it is on a personal, organisational or global level. We leave it open to the audience's perception and interpretation,” says creative coder KC Tan, one of Unit A’s front stage members.
The Bilik Sejahtera structure is about 2.4m x 2.4m x 2.4m. It is made of upcycled wood, acrylic, tinted film, and mirrors. Lights and also electronic sensors are installed to the room in order to trigger and activate the room.
“Over the last two years, with the pandemic, we have been forcibly put in confinement of different kinds... physically and mentally. The state of aloneness has impacted people to respond and react in different ways, but only within the state of confinement in isolation.
“The nature of the installation is to provide a space where people can walk into a space that has no expectations but to immerse themselves into the present moment. The space is created and curated for that purpose,” offers writer/cultural practitioner Archana Pillai, one of Unit A’s members.
Bilik Sejahtera is the first edition of Seni Tiga Lab, a laboratory iteration of Kongsi Petak’s multidisciplinary show Seni Tiga supported by the Cultural Economy Development Agency’s (Cendana) Arts Organisation Resilience Fund and the Boh Relief Fund. Due to the pandemic situation last year, the project had to be shelved before the team resumed in November.
'Bilik Sejahtera' is a curated space to let the audience experience the present moment. Photo: KongsiKL
Unit A, additionally supported by the Krishen Jit Fund, is mentored by theatre veteran Jo Kukathas. It consists of three front stage members: Tan, illustrator Chin Yew and full-time artist Izat Arif. The core members are Archana, graphic designer Mavis Chee and former software engineer Chin Wei Kit. The contributing members are dance artist/choreographer Lau Beh Chin, stage actors Lok Shi Hoong, Putrina Rafie and Tin Raman and sound designer Teh Tian Yoon.
The team began its creative journey last April and spent nearly three months conducting research for this project.
To coincide with this art project, KongsiKL is also hosting the KongsiKL Garden F&B Pop-Up to allow visitors to explore and experience this urban arts warehouse.
