#Urbanscapes 2018

Workshops everywhere …

Over the years, the Urbanscapes event in KL had evolved although I was glad that there were some consistency in the program. They had a base called Urbanscapes House at 2 Hang Kasturi and most of the events were centred around there, forming the hub of the activities. Across the road, Medan Pasar can be changed into a staging area for outdoor activities if the weather is kind.

Swings outside at Medan Pasar

More installations at Medan Pasar

It certainly had evolved since the first time I followed it back in 2009. In between, Urbanscapes had tried to base itself out of town but clearly it did not work out. I am glad that it came back with the activities spread over three weekends with most of the event can be joined for free.

I went to the House last Sunday on the first weekend of the event. Tired since it was a post-call afternoon, I just went to see what the deal was about. I parked at KLCC and took the LRT to Masjid Jamek before tracking the short distance to the event. Medan Pasar had an installation but it right in the middle of the sun. I gave that a miss ...

Inside Urbanscapes House - The Picha Project

Many sombre images

Plenty to ponder

Now for the installations

The House looked welcoming, air-conditioned of course. I started at the Ground Floor, with some crafts stalls there. The third floor had a conference going on where you had to pay to get in. I settled to see the Home Experiential Installations prepared by The Picha Project in the second floor - known as Ruang.

It featured the living conditions of refugees in Malaysia, mostly from war-torn area such as Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Some of them were rather high concept, some were easier to follow. There was a VR booth using your own phones if you are keen but the queue was too long. And I was kinda tired.

The First Floor was filled with more art installations which were too high brow for me to take on. Time to have a quick drink and get out of there. There were also photowalks going on outside, but the proper organised ones would start later in the day. I needed some sleep ...

So, I might join a walk or two in the coming weekends and hopefully might timing would be better. Certainly from the brochure I read, there would be plenty of activities ...