KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — A new art installation at the Pasar Seni MRT station has brought a little colour into the lives of commuters.
‘Sunnyside Up’ brightens up the stairs of Gate A with tall, yellow palm tree-like structures and ushers the natural light from the window upstairs down to the underground floor.
It is part of the Arts on the Move campaign by Think City, an effort to inspire creativity in the busy daily lives of public transport users.
Malay Mail spoke to designer Pamela Tan of Poh Sin Studios on her inspiration, intention, and hopes behind the piece that has caught the attention of many social media users.
“I wanted to bring the energy of Pasar Seni into the underground and add a joyful colour into the steep space,” said Tan.
“I also used transparent acrylic to magnify the sunlight from above. It was a simple way I felt I could make some difference for the public’s experience.”
With her previous works featured in iconic landmarks of Kuala Lumpur like Muzium Telekom and Masjid Jamek, Tan was ecstatic to use Pasar Seni station as a canvas.
She explained that the staircase caught her eye as she observed the rush of people using the escalators over the stairs.
Tan used the tunnel-like architecture of the stairs to create an immersive experience using bright colours to contrast its grey tones.
After carefully ensuring her structures complied with the various regulations set by MRT, Tan’s project took two-and-a-half months to complete.
She hopes that her work will encourage more train stations and transport hubs to use art to capture the spirit of their respective locations.
“It was an honour working with Think City and MRT Pasar Seni to find a platform to engage the public and introduce art into their lives.” the designer shared.
“Public art can allow people to develop their own interpretation of the work and it can leave a deep impression especially if it addresses a social issue.”
Tan added that public art can serve as a conversation starter with a stranger, bringing people together in discussing their own interpretations.
“There are many talented local artists doing cool projects with glass, wood, and ceramic, so I hope this will encourage public spaces to provide such opportunities,” Tan said.
“There will be other artists who will get a chance to display their works after mine, I can’t wait just to be an observer again.
“Just as I make art for people to get inspiration, I need it myself.”
Beyond ‘Sunnyside Up’, Tan is preparing herself for a year of several international projects she is ‘keeping under wraps’ for now.
Arts on the Move will run from February to June 2023, featuring performance, works from local artists, and workshops.
