A flashback to childhood

By Thong Jen Mee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Visitors to Pavilion Shopping Centre were in for a pleasant surprise when they discovered an interactive story-sharing platform in the mall itself which ran from 31 Aug to 16 Sept.

 

Initiated by local artist Niki Cheong with three other collaborators; artist Nini Marini, media expert John Lim and writer Vivian Chong, the LimaPuluhTujuh Project is an interactive exhibition where people from all walks of life are encouraged to share their stories in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

 

First started off as an online effort (http://www.limapuluhtujuh.com) where anyone and everyone are welcomed to share their experience growing up in Malaysia, the project eventually branched out to the on-ground exhibition.

 

The main aim is to provide an opportunity to reflect and ponder on the simpler times of the yesteryears. One of the interesting contributions on the website had a Chinese reader retelling his childhood of befriending an Indian ice-cream seller.

 

The exhibit in Pavilion consists of five audio booths for visitors to listen in to the stories from fellow Malaysians accompanied with a collection of old photographs from the yesteryears as well as an array of childhood games.

 

There is also a corner where visitors are encouraged to write a letter to their future selves in 10 years’ time.

 

Volunteer Mohd Abtal Zulhazrul bin Idris said. “Visitors would just stop by and stare at the exhibits in awe. It obviously has been a long time since they’ve seen these things and we’re thrilled to be a part of the movement that has made this happened.”