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A version of the article first appeared in Virtual Malaysia. Click here to read it there.
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| Made In Penang Interactive Museum |
The peoples of Penang are proud of their heritages as
evidently seen when you are in Made In Penang Interactive Museum.
This homegrown three-dimensional art museum, housed in the historical
monument of Behn Meyer building in Weld Quay, is the latest
attraction that showcases the rich histories of this Island of the
Orient Pearl. However, there is more to this museum than just a trick
arts exhibition.
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| The Great Wall of Penang |
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| Indian coolies |
You will be greeted with a realistic protrayal of
Weld Quay of the olden days at the entrance of the building. Known as
the Great Wall of Penang, the whole stretch of wall was used to
depict the liveliness of the port 120 years ago, with Indian coolies
carrying sacks while Chinese trishaw riders waiting for customers
nearby. Old Chinese shop houses were painted beautifully on the
opposite wall. What a welcome to the museum.
There are four sections in the museum. The first
section, Miniature Local Trades showcases the many facets of the
lives of Penang while the second exhibition, Miniature Weld Quay, is
the miniature version of the famous port. Both of these displays are
on the ground floor.
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| Barber shop |
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| Nasi lemak stall |
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| Weld Quay |
The tour continues upstair and this is where the
Trick Arts Gallery lies. It seems that everyone begins to shed their
inhibitions here and let loose their inner silliness. All the 3D
paintings are about Penang and its peoples. Some examples of the
drawings here are a beautifully painted Peranakan room, a portrait of
char koay teow, shaking hands with Dr. Sun Yat Sen, and so on. All of
the paintings are realistically drawn, yet giving off an illusion of
the drawings popping out.
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| Some of the trick arts in the museum |
There are interactive kiosks in second floor which
offer multimedia experience. Two of these kiosks require you to place
your entrance tickets near the sensor for digital images of scenery
in Penang to appear in the screen. Another two kiosks require you to
stand close to the sensor and digital opera masks will appear before
your faces.
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| Ferry ride to Penang |
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| Colourful opera masks |
The last part is the interactive theatre which is on
the ground floor. A video about Penang and its cultures are being
shown for the public before you exit the museum. It is not the usual
informative video but rather an animated one. You must not miss it.
Overall, this is definitely worthy of the entrance price. I would
love to visit it again.
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| Before you leave, remember to have a cup of kopi with the Chief Minister |
Info Box
Made in Penang Interactive Museum,
3, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 Georgetown, Penang.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ticket prices are RM 15 for adults with MyKad (RM 30 without one) and RM 10 for students and children with MyKad (RM15 without one).
For more information, you can call 04-2626119 or visit their Facebook page.
3, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 Georgetown, Penang.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ticket prices are RM 15 for adults with MyKad (RM 30 without one) and RM 10 for students and children with MyKad (RM15 without one).
For more information, you can call 04-2626119 or visit their Facebook page.
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