Thomas Tan
Affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the organiser of Taiwan-Malaysia International Comic Week 2020 has brought the comic arts exhibition on a 3D virtual platform to connect with comic arts enthusiasts.
The online 3D Taiwan-Malaysia International Comic Week 2020 featuring works by several renowned and promising comic artists from Taiwan and Malaysia, is jointly organised by the cultural division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, Taipei Comic Artist Labour Union and the Malaysian Comicker Union, and officially launched on July 15.
“We are pleased to announce the art collections are now available to access via online 3D virtual tour. The virtual tours will allow visitors to view the artworks by Taiwanese and Malaysian comic artists from the comfort of their home,” said Malaysian Comicker Union president Lau Shaw Ming.
The year-long event takes place from July 10, 2020 to July 10, 2021 and entry to the exhibition’s website www.klcomicweek.com.my is free.
“This is your chance to see 250 comic artworks by Taiwanese and Malaysian cartoonists in one place. The pandemic can’t stop enthusiasts celebrate comic culture in digital,” he stated.
Lau said the website used both English and Mandarin as the medium of communication to promote the comics drawn by artists from Taiwan and Malaysia and engage the global audience.
Switching from a physical event into a virtual event was a challenge for Lau and the organising team as this was a new territory to them but they took it all in their stride and hoped more people will try out the new digital experience.
Participating artists at the exhibitions include, among others, Ruang Guan Min, Zheng Yan Yun, Kid Jerry, Mix Flavor, Pigx3, Zhang Tie Wei and Modi from Taiwan.
Malaysia’s participation includes, among others, Justin Chong, Redcode, Chuan Koh, Hafizal Rahmat, Ibrahim Sabiq Geo, Rainz L Firdaus, Zulkarnain Halil, Max Ong, LOK, Dragon Teo, WMM and Chai Tian Fatt.
The online exhibitions are divided into three thematic sections.
The first, titled “Taiwan Township 368 Postcard Exhibition”, is an impressive collection of 100 pieces of comic illustrations by Taiwan comic artists for 368 townships in Taiwan in 2017.
The second section, titled “100 Superheroes”, and scheduled to be launch in mid-August, will feature a selection of artworks from the 2nd Taiwan Comic Festival 2019 and allow visitors a glimpse into the superheroes illustrations created by 20 Taiwanese and Malaysian artists.
The final section, titled “Taiwan-Malaysia Covid-19 Epidemic Prevention Joint Exhibition” to be unveiled by end of August, will feature 50 artworks by Malaysian and Taiwanese artists paying tribute to frontline workers around the globe for their relentless efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lau said the Taiwan-Malaysia International Comic Week 2020 was originally scheduled to take place as an in-person event at Toys, Anime, Games & Comic Con 2020 (TAGCC 2020) in June but this was not possible due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the organiser has created a digital version of it in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment.
“The online platform has a packed programme of 3D virtual tours, including guided-tours, online sharing sessions and live streaming of comic demonstrations that people can enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the comfort of their homes,” he said.
Five online sharing sessions by the artists held so far have received overwhelming response from the public. Among the renowned comic creators from Taiwan who shared their experiences in drawing were Taipei Comic Labour Union chairman Max Lai, Ruan Guangmin (author of “Yong Jiu Grocery Store”), Kid Jerry (“Black and White Club”), MIIN Min (“Po’s Little Planet”), Michael Chuah (“Yurrei Neko Sama”).
Video recording of the sharing sessions with English subtitles added will soon be uploaded onto the website to reach a global audience.
The live-streamed content features comic demonstrations by renowned artists demonstrating their drawing skills. The comic artists are already on board including Jazz Chou – the jury member of the Golden Man Award and 4C Competition Comic Award and Huang Jun Wei – winner of Best Newcomer in Painting Award, both from Taiwan, as well as Malaysia’s popular cartoonist Fishball whose comic series went on to be picked up by Webtoon, a popular digital comic in South Korea.
Videos of demonstrations by Jazz Chou on lightbox inking, Michael Chuah on Yuurei Neko Sama character painting and Zheng Yan Yun on brush inking are already uploaded onto the website.
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