心在疫起 NEW NORMS PARK #2: Design Concept
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| 00 - An artist's impression on how we envision the installation to be. |
To take our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative one step further, we also also suggested that this installation be crowdfunded; making this truly a project by the people, for the people.
We proposed our ideas to MBKS, and was pleasantly surprised by the receptiveness of our Mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng.
The Aim
The aim of this public art installation is to:
1. Pay tribute to our front liners for their selfless contribution to battle the COVID-19 pandemic;2. Remind the importance of social distancing to flatten the curve, especially in this new normal; and
3. Raise awareness on sustainability, and promote engagement with the natural environment.
The Site
We picked was the Tai Chi Garden located adjacent to MBKS City Hall. We wanted to rejuvenate this underused and often overlooked area, and re-integrate with the entire MBKS Kuching Park.
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| 01 - Location of the selected site |
Social Distancing Grid
With reference to Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia's social distancing advice, we came up with the concept of a grid-based system to space out patrons to the installation. We decided to use a 2m x 2m grid to be more inclusive, and allow for more movement within their "personal" space.
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| 02 - Checker pattern grid to maintain minimum 1m social distancing at all times |
With the intention to highlight the importance of wearing the proper PPE (front liners) / masks (the rakyat), the floor of the site will be painted light blue in an alternating checker pattern.
A "protective cage" will then be placed over the blue painted areas, and linked together. It represents the our isolation in a refuge or safe space during lockdown, and portrays our unity and resilience as a country when facing the pandemic.
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| 03 - "Protective Cages" are placed over areas where the floor is painted blue. |
The Red Cross
We chose the Red Cross because we wanted a symbol that was universally recognised as a symbol
of protection and medical aid. It expresses our gratitude to all the front liners who have offered themselves to be the shield between us and the pandemic.
This symbol is painted on the ground in the centre of the site, and will serve as the main circulation axis.
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| 04 - The Red Cross as an international symbol of protection and medical aid. |
Engagement with the Natural Environment
On the areas in the grid that are left bare/unpainted, we propose to install planter boxes for planting shrubs and greenery; in a way as to bring the natural environment into our built environment.
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| 06 - Bringing the natural environment into the built environment through the introduction of planter boxes |
We think sustainability is essential to ensure that the future generations may have similar opportunities as we do, to enjoy and engage with the natural environment. We aim for zero-wastage by designing with standard material sizes, and focus on using materials that can be provided with a second-life.
The physical components of this installation are the "protective cages" and planter boxes.
The planter boxes are designed to be repurposed out of used oil drums.
These components are designed to be optimised for prefabrication and rapid installation. Prefabrication not only speeds up the fabrication process (as it is not affected by weather or site conditions), but can also minimise causing disturbances to the neighbouring residents in this context.
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| 07 - Examples of planter boxes made from used oil drums. |
The "protective cages" are designed to be fabricated from steel reinforcement bars as they are locally available and easily sourced. It has tensile properties and can easily be shaped without heavy machinery or specialist tools.
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| 08 - Steel reinforcement bar a.k.a rebar is used at almost all the construction sites throughout the Malaysia. |
Positivity
To convey the optimism, hope and positivity that we all held close to our hearts throughout the MCO (and even now, hoping for a vaccine!), we opted to have a golden circle painted around the installation to "seal" it.
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| 09 - Positive mindset is key in fighting the pandemic |
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