Artsphere 20/8ty for Art-Lovers

By Lee Ying Jee

 

Climb the stairs into outer space, dine with Alice in Wonderland and swim with a mermaid in this world of fantasy at Artsphere 20/8ty. This shopping area holds the largest collection of mural arts in a single location in Malaysia. The collection boasts a total of 80 murals painted by 20 international and local artists, inspiring the name.

 

Mural arts have gained a sudden surge of popularity among Malaysians since the unveiling of Ernest Zacharevic’s mural art on the streets of Penang. Instead of going all the way North to appreciate them, this spot is located in neighbouring Seri Kembangan.

 

Several 3D murals span metres across the ground as structures and objects seemingly pop up from the flat floor. One of them is “Staircase” by Angel Ng where the steps are leading into a purple night sky clustered with stars.

 

Many of them combined paint and props to produce wonderfully interactive murals that allow visitors to become a part of it. Examples include wooden ladders, a jump rope, tables, and even a Mini Cooper car coated in black and white paint, giving it an illusion that it was popping out of the wall.

 

Some of the paintings are very realistic, akin to optical illusions. Model Lisa Chow May Han, 21, was among the many people who walked past two doors without realizing only one of them can be opened.

 

“From afar I could not see which door was the real one,” she admitted.

 

Artsphere 20/8ty was designed by Eksons Corporation Sdn Bhd and Tempo Properties Sdn Bhd to support the striving art industry in Malaysia. Tempo Properties CEO Khoo Boo Hian added that this project would benefit the public as well.

 

“We want to give the people art that they can interact with and enjoy,” Khoo said.

 

The murals are suitable for families with children as the interactive ones are easy to pose with. On the first floor, there is a life-sized snakes and ladders board game that people can play on where some people were thrilled to find actual strings attached to several painted balloons.

 

Public relations and marketing major Tan Xue Ren, 21, said, “The murals are very surreal, creative and 3D. And I love the fact that each mural has a QR code showing its description.”

 

Entrance to The Atmosphere where Artsphere 20/8ty is located is free of charge, making this a suitable hangout spot for thrifty students. You are advised to bring along a camera, umbrella, sunblock and your own bottle of water even though there are food and beverage shops in the vicinity.

 

Address: 1-3, Jalan Prima Tropika Barat 2, Taman Prima Tropika, 43300 Kuala Lumpur

GPS Coordinates : N 2° 58.952' E 101° 39.767'