Greenpeace Malaysia pushes for transboundary haze pollution act with art exhibition by artists and filmmakers

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — Interested in fighting the seasonal haze?

You can start by checking out the new activist art exhibition at RexKL.

Called Haze: Coming Soon, it features artwork, film screenings and info displays to raise awareness on the urgency of haze pollution and the need for action.

Organised by Greenpeace Malaysia with filmmaking company Studio Birthplace and artist collective Splash & Burn, it takes place from May 5 to 14.

“The exhibition is a call to action for members of the public to sign the petition and get them to get their MPs to enact the transboundary haze pollution act,” said Greenpeace regional campaign strategist Heng Kiah Chun.

In 2019, the Malaysian government had drafted the act and wanted it tabled, but it was abandoned after a change of government.

“The government says they are still using diplomatic channels but we think that diplomatic cooperation can co-exist with the transboundary haze act,” continued Heng.

Those who come to the exhibition will be treated to a celebration of murals including the Transboundary Haze by Ernest Zacharevic of Splash & Burn and Fahmi Reza’s Caution: Jerebu Is Coming Back.

There are also murals by artists Cloakwork, Trexus, Trina Teoh and Bibichun as well as 12 woodcut prints by Sabah-based artist collective Pangrok Sulap.

Artsis Kaiyi Wong helped develop the concept of the exhibition space and the Haze Corridor, another exhibition feature.

Truly a feast for the eyes which organisers hope will also touch the spirit and spark conversations about the need to end haze pollution.

Using visual art to promote change is in the DNA of filmmaking company Studio Birthplace, one of the three organisers of the exhibition.

Haze Maze (top) in acrylic and spray paint on canvas by Trexus and Zacharevic and twelve black and white woodcut prints (bottom) by Pangrok Sulap. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

“Change starts with awareness and this information is best delivered through emotion and art is the best way to do this,” said Studio Birthplace co-founder and executive producer Sean Lin.

“By telling a compelling story through art, we want to create awareness and get people engaged.

“The more people get engaged, the higher the chance of a social movement.”

As part of the exhibition, Studio Birthplace is presenting a short film it made with Greenpeace UK about plastic waste export to developing countries.

Wasteminster: A Downing Street Disaster, lasts almost two minutes and dramatically visualises the amount of plastic waste the UK exports on a daily basis onto Downing Street, the residence of the British prime minister.

Other film screenings in the exhibition include Haze-zilla, also by Studio Birthplace, Rewild by Splash & Burn and Haze: Coming Soon by Tim Chan and Sandra Cheah.

An important part of the exhibition is the Greenpeace info display which highlights the vicious cycle of haze and its effect on our health and environment.

Hard copy reports are also on display for those who wish to read up on the issues.

Those who come should not leave without signing the petition to call for a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

“We are hoping to get 10,000 signatures or as many as possible to send to the ministers and parliament before the regional Asean meeting on transboundary haze which will take place in Singapore from June 7-8,” said Greenpeace digital and media campaigner Yvonne Nathan.

In addition to signing Greenpeace’s official petition, you can also do your bit to fight haze by putting pressure on your local MP, start more conversations about haze.