Australia celebrates strong connections with Malaysia through 'Australia Now'

KUALA LUMPUR: Australia now Malaysia, a digital programme aimed to promote economic, scientific, education and cultural links between the two countries, will feature dazzling digital artwork from 20-30 Jan, at the Australian High Commission building in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, here.

Australia now is the Australian government's flagship diplomacy programme, which showcases the best of Australia innovation, diversity and creative excellence, and delivered in a country of significance each year to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties and to build understanding beyond landscapes and lifestyle.

The digital artwork among others showcasing iconic Australian images that honour and celebrate Indigenous Australia can be viewed from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

Designs created by Malaysian and international entrants in the Isle of Design Projection Mapping competition, as well as original artwork by primary school students from the Australian International School Malaysia will also be featured.

The illuminations have been produced through a collaboration between Australia's Mosster Studio and Malaysia's Filamen.

Visitors can take photos with the light projection and use the hashtag #LightsUpMY when they visit.

Australia's Deputy Head of Mission to Malaysia Hannah Birdsey said the High Commission will also be holding a series of events in conjunction with Australia now Malaysia which runs through to the middle of 2022.

The Lights Up event digitally launched in October 2021 will coincide with the first anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement by both countries.

"So we think it's a really good way to demonstrate the strength, the breadth and diversity of the relationship with Malaysia," she told Bernama in an interview.

Asides from the digital artwork light projection, Birdsey said another exciting event planned for the Australia now Malaysia programme is the Australian Indigenous digital arts exhibition in collaboration with the National Art Gallery in March.

"We're really looking forward to it. It's called Walking Through a Songline. People can actually walk through and see the artwork projected. It's quite extraordinary, quite and unusual experience," she said.

She added that other events planned including a policy forum on mental health, engagements with young leaders and entrepreneurs, and a science documentary jointly collaborated by Malaysia Space Agency and Geoscience Australia.

"The programmes, I think is as broad and diverse as the bilateral relationship between Australia and Malaysia," she added.

-- BERNAMA