Old KL cinema turned into a batik wonderland through immersive digital art show

Arif’s panoramic 'Hanya Batik' series, the centrepiece of RXP.KL’s new digital art showcase 'Twilight', wowing the audience with its blend of traditional batik and digital art. Photo: RXP.KL

Hanya Batik, a new digital art show at RXP.KL’s immersive theatre space in Kuala Lumpur, comes just in time for the Merdeka and Malaysia Day season. It also paves the way for new career opportunities for local artists.

The 15-minute digital art showcase, featuring batik artwork by illustrator Arif Rafhan (known as Superdoofus), represents RXP.KL’s first locally-produced series.

“I still can’t believe it,” said Arif, 47, after the recent launch of Hanya Batik, part of RXP.KL’s new season titled Twilight.

“I had seen some of the graphics in isolation, so I knew how it would look. But fully experiencing it – seeing my country brought to life in such an emphatic atmosphere during a special occasion – it was hard not to tear up,” he added.

Funded by RXP.KL, which has been curating digital art theatre at the REXKL venue since September 2023, this Hanya Batik project marks a notable development in Malaysia’s digital art landscape.

'Hanya Batik' also pays homage to Malaysia’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity, weaving elements of the country’s diverse ecosystems into the art. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

Located in a former cinema hall where audiences once spent hours immersed in film, RXP.KL has reimagined the legacy of the Rex cinema space (in downtown KL) by transforming it into a hub for digital art experiences.

Hanya Batik is the homegrown highlight in the Twilight season, which also features two other French-developed digital productions, Geometry Of Emotion and Escape. The new season runs through February 2025.

A shared story

As a collaborative effort, Hanya Batik was brought to life with contributions from multimedia designer Fahmi Hosnan, music producer Bo Amir Iqram (Cuurley), and 3D model designer Ian Kit, alongside Arif’s artistic vision.

During the launch at RXP.KL, the show's story struck a chord with the local audience, as the iconic textile was presented in a sweeping panoramic display, with its vibrant colours and floral patterns animated to mesmerising effect.

The production, accompanied by narration, opened within the interior of a traditional village house, portraying the humble beginnings of kampung life. Audiences quickly recognised familiar cultural elements, including handmade crafts and beloved local childhood games. The scene then transitioned into pivotal moments in Malaysian history, such as the rise of the Melaka Sultanate and Tunku Abdul Rahman’s Declaration of Independence on Aug 31, 1957.

Arif (left) and Jurkowski see 'Hanya Batik' as just the beginning of more local digital art projects at RXP.KL. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

“Hanya Batik is designed as a ‘journey through Malaysian history,’ but I didn’t want it to feel like a lesson from a textbook,” explained Arif, who has an over 18-year career in art and design, spanning mediums such as comics and book illustrations to mural commissions.

Interestingly, the artist’s digital batik art drew inspiration from a galaxy far, far away, with his Batik Star Wars series from last year serving as the creative spark.

Hanya Batik provided the pop culture geek with the platform to tell a distinctly Malaysian story, using the iconic textile as a cultural frame to weave his narrative.

“What mattered more was highlighting the unity and richness that Malaysia embodies – honouring our many cultural differences while celebrating the shared sense of belonging that ties us together,” says Arif.

National icons like Tan Sri P. Ramlee and Datuk Lee Chong Wei feature prominently in this new series, where culture, arts, and sports are celebrated for their role in shaping Malaysia’s identity and legacy.

In the realm of national sporting heroes, one badminton icon scored the loudest cheers at 'Hanya Batik'. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

The hornbill, Malaysia’s national bird, also soars against a city skyline, symbolising the nation’s rich biodiversity and modern aspirations.

Despite Hanya Batik’s brief length, this newcomer to big-screen digital art has packed in a wealth of local details.

“I wanted to include relatable scenes, like the Malaysian family unit and the spirit of sports and the arts, to showcase our unique heritage,” said Arif, who works from his home studio in Jenjarom in Selangor.

“These are the elements, I believe, that can truly bring Malaysians closer together.”

Tapping into an evolving medium

Earlier this year, Sebastien Jurkowski, CEO and creative director of RXP.KL, began collaborating with Arif after experimenting with the projection systems using the artist’s existing illustrations.

“Arif had some artworks online that were available for use,” said Jurkowski.

The opening scene of 'Hanya Batik', welcoming viewers to a kampung house. Photo: RXP.KL

“Given the intriguing art style, I decided to create one scene to see how it would look. We shared the result on RXP’s Instagram page and tagged him. The positive response convinced us that we could expand the storyline,” he added.

Completing Hanya Batik took about eight weeks, a significant challenge for Arif as he adapted his static illustrations into animated and immersive art.

The local team behind the project meshed seamlessly, ensuring a cohesive and successful collaboration.

“It was very much a collaborative effort with the end goal of celebrating what makes Malaysia unique. Even though I’m not originally Malaysian, but I’ve lived here for quite some time, it was fulfilling to be able to create this special experience,” said Jurkowski, a Frenchman.

Currently, the storyline is tailored to resonate deeply with the Malaysian audience. However, with some adjustments, Hanya Batik could potentially be adapted for an international audience, extending its reach beyond local borders.

A scene where a majestic hornbill flies across the Kuala Lumpur cityscape. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

“Malaysia has a strong art community, and there is a potential for productions like Hanya Batik to be marketed internationally. Knowing that Arif is working with another illustrator Datuk Lat on a separate project (the Mat Som 2 comic) got me thinking about a ‘Kampung Boy’ immersive show,” he added, candidly.

Although Hanya Batik is Arif’s most prominent project to date, showcasing Malaysia-themed batik on a grand scale, he continues to celebrate this theme through smaller ventures. These include merchandise such as tote bags designed for the Merdeka season, reflecting his ongoing commitment to exploring and promoting Malaysia’s cultural heritage.

“I’m thankful to be able to work on a project of this magnitude. I’ve always been open to collaborations that allow local art to be brought to greater heights, and I think this will lead to more opportunities in the future,” concluded Arif.