Unleashing creativity
TWENTY-eight groups of Foundation in Arts (FIA) students unleashed their creativity at a two-day exhibition at Sunway College to create awareness about what our society has become. The theme of the exhibition was Consumerism and Human Rights Awareness.
As part of their assignment to educate the public on human rights and on reducing the impact of consumerism on the world, the students decorated their booths and invited the public to sign their respective mock petitions based on various topics.
The exhibition discussed issues of recycling used items, privacy rights, children’s education rights, human trafficking and child labour through the use of posters, handmade recycled products, videos and props.
A group named Trashformers showcased its handmade recycled products such as bracelets, bangles, vases and decorative accessories made from plastic bags and plastic bottles. The Trashformers comprised Melissa Jeena Roch, Ann Marie Daphene Phillips, Crystal Lee Guat Er, Ian Kok Kye Xuen, Ruburn Raju and Ali Nasser.
Aside from learning new do-it- yourself skills, the group learned about the impact of consumerism on the environment.
“It takes a plastic water bottle at least 450 years to decompose, so we must learn to reduce our waste by recycling unwanted items. This will help preserve our environment,” says Roch.
Ma Xiang Long, Lim Mei Qi, Low Chi Lam, Kam Yoke Kwan, Liew Jia Yee and Yong Sze Kay from another group approached consumerism in a different way. They simulated their concept of Our Future World in a box using dim lights, smoke and dreadful images of garbage and wars. Visitors could stick their head through a hole into the box to experience the deteriorating world. Through this simulation, the group hoped that visitors would learn to reduce their levels of consumerism to avoid such a future.
Another team comprising Kenneth Suthan Kee, Ng Weng Tat, Seek Chan Seng, Darryl Tan Khuan Shung, Ong Ze Ming and Goh Yit Chin used eye-catching artwork and props to represent human trafficking – chains to enslave and boxes to cage and transport victims. They learned from the United Nations official website that Malaysia is one of the top five countries that have the worst record of human trafficking.
The group consisting of Tan Vi Chard, Liew Kok Long, Ling Zun Hoo, Hing Ka Seng and Ng Yi Jiang chose to highlight children’s education rights. Through their research of reallife stories and facts from the Internet, they learnt of the importance of education.
As part of Sunway’s FIA programme, which advocates learning through alternative channels, the exhibition helped enhance students’ exposure to knowledge not contained in a textbook.
“FIA has been interesting and challenging. It made us think outside the box through activities such as creating blogs, adverts, documentaries and presentations. I truly enjoy it,” says Khor Han Cen, one of the students at the exhibition. Sunway College’s Foundation in Arts places emphasis on its students’ all-rounded development.
The Sunway Education Open Day will be held on March 7 and 8 and on March 14 and 15.
For more information, call 03-7491 8622 or e-mail info@sunway.edu.my or visit sunway.edu.my