The creative realm spans over 2,000 artworks, from vibrant paintings to subversive sculptures and unique installations 

by AFIQ HANIF 

SEEING is believing. Thinking. Feeling. Art today is an intriguing spectrum of intellect, imagination and emotion that sparks dialogues about life, existence and our world. It is essentially a human experience. 

ARTisFAIR was fashioned on this notion to challenge perceptions about art, while creating a new kind of appreciation. 

The biggest hybrid contemporary art fair in Malaysia aims to build a sustainable ecosystem of art and community, within a real global marketplace. 

It was a successful event that showcased canvas philosophy and visual poetry by various artists from Malaysia and Indonesia in wide-open interactive spaces. 

The creative realm spans over 2,000 artworks, from vibrant paintings to subversive sculptures and unique installations, in over 100,0000 sq ft of gallery space. 

Produced by “art outliers” who bring a very different dialogue to the experience, it’s all about doing something unique. 

Artists, emerging artists, the art and event public, interior buyers and art collectors converged to create a spectacularly new dynamic away from conventional presentations of art. 

Ultimately, it was about appreciation, understanding and the opportunity to own a piece of art. 

When The Malaysian Reserve explored it a couple of weeks ago, we found all materials displayed with a communicative purpose, something that expresses an idea, an emotion or, more generally, a world view. 

ARTisFAIR is a component of culture, reflecting economic and social substrates in its design transmitting ideas and values inherent in every culture across space and time. 

Co-creator of ARTisFAIR, Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran said he’s been collecting art since he was a teenager from band posters to Japanese airbrush art. 

“When I went to Europe at 18, I started to really cultivate my interest in art. Where else, but Paris, surrounded by museums and galleries? Art is about storytelling. It’s all from the same root — design, philosophy, ideas, technique — only in a different medium,” he said. 

He added, everything he saw is an art form from a chair, making clothes, decorating a room, even how people wear clothes, and how they walk. 

“Art elevates me on every level, even spiritually. I’ve never struggled to understand it, as I have always respected art,” he said. 

The idea behind the curation and presentation of ARTisFAIR? 

“It’s the French way of presenting, mixing high with low to exude personality. For the fair, I took on everything as an art form. 

“I used the original crates and boxes to frame the art, mounting them on industrial broken walls, with plywood and hoarding,” he added. 

Bernard said, it’s raw, cool and beautiful plus it’s a big space but with a real thought process. It’s all about the spirit. 

Bernard mentioned cultivating his eyes with art. 

“Be curious, understand. I remember visiting Leela Palace in Jaipur, one room had a low ceiling with a chandelier almost touching the table so this turned my head on perspective and proportion, which I always play with,” he said. 

He advised people to keep on asking, seeing and doing, and don’t be afraid as creativity doesn’t need money but the only thing we can’t afford is time. 

Another co-creator of ARTisFAIR, Andrew Yap said they had to start somewhere, first by making art affordable and accessible. 

“The same reason why I started retailing books. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I was at an art fair in Surabaya in 2016, where everything was creative and affordable,” he added. 

He recalled another one in Jakarta 2018 when it hit him that he wanted to bring Indonesian art out of Indonesia. 

“I had the blueprint ready back then, as we were seriously thinking about it. The ideas were there,” he said. 

Why Indonesian art, specifically? 

Answering this question, Yap said he never think about the origins of art. 

“Artists are artists just like how we are multiracial; we all breathe the same air. It’s a borderless world now. When you go online, information is everywhere, pictures from everyone; there is no difference between Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said. 

He said people get excited when they see Indonesian art as there are different subject matters when they paint. 

“Artists paint what they see. We don’t see what they see. We would never know that viewpoint of Indonesia but through the eyes of an Indonesian. It’s a breath of fresh air,” he added. 

Where do you go from here? 

“We’re starting with affordable art, then perhaps elevating to contemporary art. The ultimate goal is to spin the game…to make Malaysians appreciate art more, not just by organising an art fair but by giving them some kind of understanding of it through experiences and conversations,” Yap said. 

“ARTisFAIR was a kick start. It’s never been done before, so we are thankful to Fahrenheit88 for allowing us to transform the whole mall into an art gallery. Also, we’re grateful to the 500 artists for believing in us and wanting to see a change in the industry. Magnificent things happen when you collaborate! 

“To make Malaysia beautiful, by helping people be creative. It’s not just about owning art but inspiring their imagination,” added Yap. 

Yap said, they’re not advocating “local” or Malaysian and Indonesian art or push- ing affordability but they’re championing creativity. 

“At the same time, we are living in unprecedented times and that brings about unprecedented opportunities. We never expected a pandemic that will change the world and how we function forever,” he said. 

It’s a new world we live in now. So, this is an opportunity for us to do something totally different for Malaysians who are now open to doing things differently.