A view of Ng’s video 'Menjadi Rimau' at the Media Art Gallery space in GMBB, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
The vision of flying cars soaring among Kuala Lumpur’s skyscrapers by 2020 may seem farfetched in hindsight, yet the rapid technological advancements in recent years have reignited a sense of optimism among Malaysians, particularly within the realm of contemporary art. These spaces now serve as a canvas for exploring futuristic aspirations and the evolving relationship between technology and society.
For a reflective look at the recent past, visitors can immerse themselves in the hopeful visions of What Tigers Dream Of, When The Kancil Roars? – an exhibition at Media Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur’s GMBB creative mall.
The exhibition, running through Sept 21, offers a journey through Malaysia’s evolving dreams and realities.
Media Art Gallery is a new initiative by digital art collective Filamen, which offers a platform for emerging new media artists to explore and experiment at the crossroads of art and technology.
What Tigers Dream Of, When The Kancil Roars?, the gallery’s inaugural show, highlights the works of multidisciplinary artists Roger Ng Wei Lun, 23, and Aw Boon Xin, 29. It is curated by Koh Kai Ting.
Videos from Aw’s 'Kanci Terbang' series mimic a TV ad for the launch of the flying Proton Kancil in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
Together, they reimagine an alternative Malaysia, offering a new – and quirky – trajectory for the 2020 dream – a vision where the country’s ambitions take an unexpected, yet thought-provoking, turn.
In What Tigers Dream Of, When The Kancil Roars?, the storytelling is presented through several mediums.
The duo’s showcase features seven artworks, filling the space with a mix of TV displays, projected videos, and curious handmade machines, creating an immersive experience for visitors – much like stepping into a time capsule.
“As a Malaysian artist living in Singapore, my upbringing was shaped by a deep curiosity about our nation’s socio-cultural and historical layers,” said Ng in a recent interview.
“As a postcolonial country, Malaysia is rich with stories and ongoing dialogues, which I’ve chosen to explore through my art,” he added.
'What Tigers Dream Of, When The Kancil Roars?' invites audiences into a time capsule blending myth, folklore, and socio-political themes. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
The exhibition features two of Ng’s video works, including The Malaysian Ideal and the standout Menjadi Rimau, a digital animation that reimagines and deconstructs the classic tale of Sang Kancil Dan Harimau. Through these pieces, Ng offers a layered exploration of Malaysian identity and mythology, challenging familiar narratives with a fresh, contemporary lens.
“The concept of featuring a dialogue between the Tiger and the Kancil as a central theme evolved throughout the planning process. In the myth, the Tiger is tricked by the Kancil into jumping into its reflection in the river, which I felt symbolises the Malaysian diaspora. Menjadi Rimau addresses the complex nature of national identity and the notion of the homeland through the symbol of Tiger,” said Ng.
Aw takes a playful twist on the local folktale by referencing the Proton Kancil instead of the cunning animal.
In his installation Kanci Terbang, he humorously reimagines the iconic car soaring above Kuala Lumpur.
Aw’s installation, 'Stereotyped Movement Disorder', features a conveyor belt tangled with converters and wires, portraying mechanical dysfunction and technological progress. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
The piece features three stacked televisions, each depicting the Proton Kancil with wings attached to its doors, flapping as it glides through the skies. This whimsical creation blends tradition with modernity, infusing humour into a deeper exploration of cultural symbols.
“Much like the animal, the Kancil has a distinctive aesthetic, especially to Malaysians, while the flying car was very much a ‘meme’ on social media. What I wanted to highlight with regards to Wawasan 2020, is that it was a collective Malaysian dream rooted in industrialisation and globalisation,” said Aw, who continues to combine new media with installation, moving image, printmaking, and painting.
He also worked with Koh Tai Ting to bring an old alley of Batu Pahat (Johor) to life through the use of augmented reality (AR) activation for the Young Contemporaries 2023 (Bakat Muda Sezaman) competition by the National Art Gallery.
Media Art Gallery is a new initiative by digital art collective Filamen, which offers a platform for emerging new media artists to explore and experiment at the crossroads of art and technology. Photo: Filamen
Aw’s Kanci Terbang goes beyond nostalgia, presenting viewers with a more incisive and provocative aspect of his work.
Alongside the television sets, he includes a mock advertisement poster for the flying Proton Kancil, complete with bold “lelong” text and multiple phone numbers – a clever nod to the familiar marketing tactics that Malaysians can instantly recognize, even in this fictional, futuristic Malaysia.
Kanci Terbang provides a commentary on Malaysian society, using humour and satire to offer a sharp critique of contemporary cultural and social dynamics.
“The works presented in this exhibition serve as speculative artefacts, aimed at engaging the audience by imagining them as instruments of influence. I hope this presentation introduces a new perspective on futurism, a primary research focus for digital artists, as we speculate on what Malaysia’s future might look like,” he concluded.
What Tigers Dream Of, When The Kancil Roars? exhibition is running at Media Art Gallery, Level 3, GMBB creative mall in Kuala Lumpur until Sept 21. Entry: RM15. A portion of ticket sales will go directly to the artists to fund their next project.
