Eupe Corp Bhd's goal is to infuse art with lifestyle through the creative use of public art in its property developments.
And this is why it has commis-sioned Nizamsculpture Studio founder Nizam Abdullah as its key collaborator in Eupe's mission to make public art an iconic and distinctive feature of its Klang Valley projects.
Nizam said the successful partnership between Eupe and himself is based on both parties sharing the same vision of encourag-ing social connections and stronger commu-nities through the strategic linking of urban living with public art.
"I hope to expose people to start conversa-tions, inspire and encourage them to discover the meaning behind each piece of artwork. Art does not show people what they should do; it's about projecting a blend of imagination and reality that positively affects the way people think and live,"says Nizam.
"A public artwork, when done well, is able to engage citizens in conversations that can vary from understanding historical and cultur-al backgrounds to deepening attachment and identity to the place where they live.
"In fact, public art can make public spaces more approachable in a world that is strug-gling with new ways to connect."
Nizamsculpture Studio was established in 2012 and has been closely involved in the project design process of Eupe's Klang Valley projects.
Nizam, a renowned local sculptor who has been in the industry since 2004, specialises in metal sculptures, some of which are show-cased in notable buildings and landmarks such as Solaris Dutamas, Publika and Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, Mall of Medini in Nusajaya, Johor and Victoria Street on Penang Island. He has also participated in group exhibitions in Malaysia and internationally.
According to Eupe head of marketing and sales Datin Michelle Gan, creating public art is at the centre of Eupe's mission to design homes and communities that in turn is central to the company's aim to set new and innova-tive directions for contemporary living.
"We want to elevate daily human experi-ence through our commitment to public art in all our developments. The lobbies and waiting areas in our maiden KL project - Novum - in South Bangsar are filled with sculptures, which not only encourage thought and conversation. They play an important role in creating a shared identity for our residents," she says.
For both Gan - an artist herself - and Nizam, the key aim is to form emotional links with people through public art. "We want them to respond to our art with thinking, engage-ment and even action," says Gan.
"We have carefully designed, in our residential developments in KL, motivational art that conveys a message.
"We want to create spaces that inspire people, and this is where Nizam's art comes in, as he is able to understand the subjective messages that we want to convey and come up with creations that are in line with them.
"As an innovative creator of public space, we hope Nizam's work will uplift, as his sculp-tures were all commissioned with inspiration-al messages in mind."
For example, Gan says the idea behind the hanging sculpture called Freedom in Novum's waiting area - which has empty bird cages, with birds outside the cage - is to "remind us to pursue our dreams and not cage them, as no bird should ever be caged. It is also a reminder to love and not possess; to dream and not suppress".
Gan adds: "The lobby area also has two works - child with paper plane and child with star - to remind people of their childhood memories, where there were no barriers. Both sculptures in the lobbies of Novum aim to encourage people to never lose sight of the child inside them; children dream without limitations or doubts and believe anything is possible."
Another sculpture in the lobby, called The Conversation, stresses the importance of connecting with those "who fill our lives with purpose and love, and the moments and times we spend with our loved ones", she explains.
Nizam says the Meranti Tree Seed Sculpture in Eupe's second residential project - Parc3 - in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, will be the largest public art work he has created to date.
Meranti is the world's tallest tropical tree and the symbol behind the hanging sculpture of Parc3. "This will be the largest hanging sculpture in residential developments in Malay-sia. The concept is based on achieving great heights and realising one's dream. The Shorea seeds that are part of the sculpture represent the positive vibes that will push us towards achieving our goals and dreams," says Nizam.
"In the sculpture, one of the seeds falls to the ground, but this is the ï¬rst to grow. As such, the message conveyed is not to worry about falling because the one who falls and gets up is much stronger than the one who never fell."
The sculpture, which weighs about 2,000kg with 21 Shorea seeds hanging down at the atrium from the highest floor (Level 46) to Level 8, will enable residents to view it from a different perspective from each floor.
The sculpture is still under construction and expected to be completed at the same time as Parc3 by 4Q2021. "We have worked closely with engineers on the engineering plan because the building structure is designed to carry the weight of the sculpture. You cannot just hang the sculpture there. Safety features cannot be compromised," says Nizam.
According to Gan, Eupe's aim to make public art integral to its property projects as public art spaces will reach new heights with its third upcoming residential project in Est8 in Seputeh.
Expected to be launched in 1Q2021, Est8 (pronounced "Estate") will incorporate five sky gardens, each defined by giant sculptures. "The works are not only for display, but will function as spaces for residents to share with families and friends. For example, the fish and rabbit sculpture will be a lounge area and viewing deck for residents to enjoy great views of KL," says Gan.
The sculptures in each sky garden are based on the elements of feng shui - wood, fire, earth, metal and water. For example, a red dragonfly sculpture will be incorporated in one of the sky gardens because red represents fire and is very auspicious in Chinese mythology.
Nizam says art can be viewed subjectively because different people have different views of art, but ultimately, it is also about bringing people together.
"Public art is a platform for civic dialogue and the most democratic of art forms. It humanises the built environment and provides an intersection between the past, present and future. Public art matters because our communities gain cultural, social and economic value through it," he says.
"I hope that with Eupe's art works, people will appreciate art more, value the works and become participants in the art as they walk through the imagery. They can also add their interpretations and values by sharing the stories, building community and creating memories via social media, where everyone can be a photographer and memories can be shared instantly."
Gan adds: "We hope our art will bring social togetherness and cohesion to a space, and help people educate themselves and stimu-late their thinking. Art presents a reality that may change the vision and perspective of the audience towards the world, as art is created with hidden meanings and can emotionally connect with people and in turn help them connect with others."