Ong’s 'Krystal Valley' installation showcases various types of 'crystals', such as amethyst (dark purple), fluorite (translucent green), and bismuth (shiny), which are easily recognised by their colour and composition. Photo: Bernama
Mixed media artist Jun Ong’s latest public installation, titled Krystal Valley, creatively repurposes waste materials – including scrap metal, electronic boards, and plastics – transforming them into a striking monument of artificial crystals that mimic the allure of precious gems.
Through this innovative approach, Ong, 36, not only showcases his artistic vision but also invites viewers to reflect on the beauty and potential of discarded materials, turning what was once seen as waste into a captivating celebration of sustainability and artistry.
Ong’s Krystal Valley is featured in the National Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, part of the Hanya Satu: Single series, where a selected artist takes over the gallery’s main foyer.
Some other notable artists featured in this post-pandemic showcase series include Shafiq Nordin with Anti Panic Buying (2022), Saiful Razman’s Tugu Atas Bukit (2022), Red Hong Yi’s Once Upon A Longtang (2022), Bono Stellar’s Theta (2023), and the recent Project Temporary Marking by Zulkefli Jais.
Let there be light
Nearly a decade has passed since Ong, an architect by training, first captured media attention with his towering installation, Star/Butterworth, showcased during an arts festival at an unfinished five-storey concrete building in Butterworth, Penang.
Ong’s installation repurposes waste materials, transforming them into artificial crystals that create a 3D collage. Photo: Bernama
Many will also recall his Star/KL, showcased at The Godown in Kuala Lumpur in December 2021, which was an inspiring and uplifting public art piece during the gloomy days of the pandemic.
Krystal Valley marks a distinct departure for the KL-based Ong, offering a fresh and experimental direction in his body of work.
What challenges – scale-wise – did he encounter while creating this new installation for the National Art Gallery?
“It was a challenging site, as the gallery (foyer space) is high yet narrow, with an abundance of natural light. I wanted to play to its advantage and create a work that has to be viewed from multiple heights and vantage points, using materials that create unique effects during the day and come to life at night with artificial lighting,” says Ong.
In Krystal Valley, he looks into the interplay between memory and light, using diverse man-made materials to amplify the beauty of their reflections. This exploration not only captures the essence of memories but also highlights how light shapes our perception of them.
“I have definitely evolved as an artist since then (the days of Star/Butterworth), and I have always wanted to challenge the way we perceive light and the universe across various scales. For the Hanya Satu: Single commission I thought this would be a great opportunity to show a different side of my work and also current interest (crystals). I wanted to present similar narratives in my body of works but on a minute scale, with a focus on materiality and memories,” says Ong.
With additional night museum visits planned, Ong wants the experience of discovering the ‘valley’ to be very immersive, one part ethereal and another dystopian. Photo: Bernama
Inspired by the urban landscape of Klang Valley, the new installation depicts the area not merely as a landfill but as a treasure trove of minerals. Within the crystals, Ong has preserved some of his personal items, such as photographs and childhood keepsakes, creating a sense of them being “frozen in time”.
“Crystals and the world of geology have always been my personal fascination and I wanted to use light and materiality as a way to bring these to life. I wanted the audience to feel both the gravity of standing right in the middle of a landfill filled with urban objects and at the same time, in the middle of a subterranean valley filled with glistening crystals and minerals,” he explains.
“The installation showcases various types of crystals, such as dark purple amethyst, translucent green fluorite, and shimmering bismuth, which are easily identifiable by their colours and compositions.”
The Krystal Valley installation also explores the multi-billion-dollar crystal healing industry, invoking questions about its current function, often used in conjunction with astrology, yoga, meditation, sound therapy, and tarot readings.
“Is it built around the aesthetics of crystals or does it really improve people’s lives?” asks Ong, leaving visitors to find their own conclusions.
Bridging art and science
Ong’s studio team dedicated nearly six months to bringing Krystal Valley to life, making it one of the most detail-oriented and labour-intensive projects he has undertaken. The process involved extensive research into the science and structures of crystals, alongside a parallel effort to collect various found objects that hold personal significance for Ong as an artist.
A visitor admires the hanging crystal in Jun Ong's 'Krystal Valley' installation at the National Art Gallery. Photo: Bernama
“I had an idea of how I wanted the ‘rock scape’ to look juxtaposed with the architecture of the National Art Gallery while the team continued making and “crystallising” all the crystals and curating how they will be presented on the rock scape.
“We also wanted light to literally be part of the ‘material’ and have them embedded into the crystal skin, making it part of the ‘found objects’,” he says.
“The lighting used in this work makes it unique and futuristic, while subtle sounds connect the physical elements, evoking deep feelings and appreciation for the artwork.”
In addition to the installation, the National Art Gallery will host a range of support programmes throughout October and November, featuring interactive activities for participants. One highlight is “Aragonite”, an augmented reality experience that allows attendees to digitally mine crystals, enhancing their engagement with Ong’s art on display.
The Krystal Valley public programme, some taking place at night, includes a sound-light performance featuring classical pianist Hii Mei Lin, a crystal lamp workshop led by Jun Ong Studio, a gemology session with expert Razin Rahimi, and a psychedelic immersive meditation experience with sound artist Rhythm of Sati from Bangkok.
'We also wanted light to literally be part of the ‘material’ and have them embedded into the crystal skin, making it part of the ‘found objects’,' says Ong. Photo: Bernama
At the National Art Gallery space, Ong wanted the experience of discovering the “valley” to be very immersive, one part ethereal and another dystopian.
“As visitors embark on this journey and expedition through the ‘valley’, I hope that they begin with an understanding of their place on Earth and leave with an imbued belief in the otherworldly,” concludes Ong.
Krystal Valley is the eighth series in the Hanya Satu: Single exhibition, supported by the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry through the 2024 Cultural Sector Support Grant.
It will be showing at the National Art Gallery until Nov 11, open daily from 9am-5pm.
