GMBB: ‘A Seed Dreams Of A Forest’ Draws Art Enthusiasts, Cultivates Local Talents

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- GMBB, Kuala Lumpur’s pioneering creative community mall, celebrated its official launch, ‘A Seed Dreams of a Forest,’ with resounding success over the weekend, drawing in art enthusiasts, families, and curious visitors from across the city.

The event marked a significant milestone in GMBB’s five-year journey following its official opening last week, graced by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

GMBB general manager Lim Ying Hui shared her excitement, noting that the overwhelming turnout for the weekend was incredibly encouraging, as the weekend’s activities were not just a celebration but an introduction to what visitors can expect at GMBB in the future.

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“Witnessing all of our community’s energetic positivity and the enthusiastic engagement that the visitors had in return truly embodied our vision of being ‘More Together.’ It is our hope that everyone was able to experience the passionate, enterprising and community spirit that GMBB stands for,” she said in a statement today.

With the launch of ‘A Seed Dreams of a Forest,’ GMBB aims to cultivate local talent in a dynamic ecosystem where artists of all backgrounds, talents, and experiences can converge, collaborate, and further catalyse Malaysia's creative and cultural economy.

Despite initial challenges as newcomers to the arts realm, Lim said GMBB embarked on this journey with a bold vision five years ago.

“Today, GMBB stands as a vibrant hub, housing over one hundred diverse tenants spread across nine floors and approximately 110,000 square feet of net lettable area. These tenants encompass a wide range of creative entrepreneurs, artists, craft artisans, food and beverage specialists, and more.

“They include ‘Five Arts Centre,’ a dynamic collective of Malaysian artists, activists, and producers known for meaningful and experimental performances in theatre, dance, and music, and ‘Fusion Wayang Kulit,’ a gallery led by an award-winning team dedicated to revitalising Malaysia's traditional art of shadow puppetry through pop culture,” she said.

In addition, Gangsapura, a contemporary Malay Gamelan centre for keeping the artistry of traditional music alive, and the Museum of Picture Book Art, where 80 per cent of its curated showcase consists of local picture books, along with several independent studios run by artists on the spectrum, are also among the highlights of the event.

“There are also many one-of-a-kind galleries, bookshops, art studios, and quaint eateries waiting to be discovered at GMBB. The organic and often changing installations and exhibitions also promise that every visit will almost always yield new encounters,” she said.

Furthermore, Lim said focus will be given to demonstrating the value GMBB brings to Malaysia’s tourism experience in the capital and the local creative and cultural economy for Malaysians and local residents.

“As we continue to grow, the vibrancy and variety of our tenants are crucial aspects that impact our ability to fulfil our vision of a thriving creative community,” she added.

Meanwhile, in the same statement, Dr Zaliha was quoted as saying that “GMBB exemplifies how strategic partnerships between government initiatives and private enterprises can enhance Kuala Lumpur's cultural scene and boost tourism.”

“It demonstrates the positive impact of fostering local creative talent and creating vibrant community spaces. GMBB serves as a practical model for similar initiatives aimed at enriching our city's cultural landscape and attracting diverse audiences,” she said.

Embodying its tagline 'More Together,' the statement noted that GMBB emphasises collaborations in nurturing a vibrant arts ecosystem and aims to become a touchpoint for Malaysian creative and cultural arts, cultivating a sustainable creative and cultural arts economy for the country.

It said this aligns strategically with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (MOTAC) tourism and cultural aims -- to support sustainable growth by fostering creativity, innovation, and cultural vitality that will ultimately contribute to the Malaysian creative and cultural economy.

Moreover, GMBB remains dedicated to providing a platform for local creative talent to enhance Malaysia’s creative and cultural landscape, with upcoming events including the Kuala Lumpur Literature and Art Fair from Aug 22 to Sept 16; and Fatal Attractions: Photographer’s Talk and Exhibition Tour by Chien C. Lee (Aug 31).

Other events include Rasa Sayang GMBB’s Malaysia Day Campaign from Sept 14 to 16; Telur Pecah 4.0, a contemporary art exhibition by GMBB (Oct 10 to Nov 10); Immersio 2024, a new media art exhibition (Nov 22 to Dec 22); and the Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair 2025 (May 1 to 4, 2025).

-- BERNAMA