Merging art and technology
MULTIMEDIA University (MMU) students showcased their media arts installations called Mediated Experience through the Media Arts Exhibition 2017 by the Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM) recently.
It was no ordinary exhibition as 30 interactive artworks which involved creative expression through exploration, experimentation and integrated creative technology were presented.
Most of the artworks used sensory devices, visual programming, projection mapping and even robotics interaction.
The FCM’s Media Arts Programme Coordinator Badrolhisham Hashim said the artworks merged technology and art creations to develop expression together with its concept, meaning and messages.
“The exhibition is a great success in showcasing the created artworks of which each has good potential and commercial value for further research and product development in the future,” he added.
Among the visitors to the exhibition was the National Visual Arts Gallery’s Publication Department director Zanita Anuar.
One of the installations, “Dislexia” by Gabriel Zoe, featured the use of polarised filter where the experiencer can only see the hidden artwork by wearing custom-made glasses. The aim is to get the visitor to see through the eyes of a dyslexic.
“This particular interactive work hopes to recreate the experience of dyslexic individuals. It is presented through the medium of interactive art, audio glove and duplicated visual image,” Badrolhisham added.
While another artwork, “Music Glove” by Wong Jack Xen, uses a specially programmed glove.
The exhibition is a great success in showcasing the created artworks of which each has good potential and commercial value for further research and product development in the future”
The experiencer was able to create sound through hand gestures, and thus, created a form of performance art.
“This device merges technology with human experience as a new form of musical instrument.
“The player applies the technology on their hand which can play various types of instruments via hand gesture. Different types of hand gestures will have different kind of functions. There are sensors in the gloves to receive hand gesture data,” Badrolhisham said.
Nur Safwan Khairul Ali and Nor Liyana Yusaini presented a smart study room with the internet of things (IoT) called “Enviroom” (Environmental Study Room), an immersive study room where the visitor can choose an outdoor location to study by selecting the given view by blinking their eyes.
“The room will help an individual to have a more conducive environment for learning,” Nur Safwan added.
Apart from the 30 installations, FCM deputy dean Dr Wong Chee Onn said the Media Arts Exhibition 2017 was also composed of the media arts performances where the students showcased their multimedia presentations and performing arts.
Creative multimedia is one of the four domains pioneered by MMU besides ICT, engineering, and business, that made it a top Malaysian private university.
The learning style and structure in FCM mimics the real-world experience in design and content creation where its students are equipped with in-depth industrial know-how and processes.
With highly experienced lecturers and practitioners in the industry and community reputation, FCM works closely with creative industries to provide top quality graduates at the end of the programme.