IKAT 2.0: Penang Edition takes place on 27 and 28 April 2024

IKAT 2.0, an immersive-driven platform dedicated to the preservation of Malaysian textile heritage, will land at the shores of George Town, Penang, on 27 and 28 April 2024 at The Loft 29. Curated with Northern region audiences in mind, the IKAT 2.0 Penang edition, titled “Tapestry of Tradition,” celebrates the captivating narratives of textile art and craftsmanship inherent in Malaysian East Coast Batik.

Tradition

Discover the vibrant heritage of Malaysian East Coast Batik at the IKAT 2.0 Penang edition. Taking form as a dynamic pop-up textile experiential hub, the two-day event will offer a curated selection of engaging experiences, featuring an immersive pavilion, textile showcase, motif-inspired phygital experiences and more.

Moreover, highlights include the Immersive Pavilion, the 480 sq.ft immersive gallery, featuring five narrations portraying the Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood, offers visitors a beautiful journey through the craftsmanship and cultural expressions of Malaysian Batik that have endured across generations.

Seeing Is Believing

There will also be a textile showcase where visitors can immerse yourself in a first-hand experience at the textile exhibition. Here, they can explore the timeless elegance, creativity and artistry of Batik originating from the East Coast of Malaysia.

Additionally there is also a live demonstration of batik creation and workshops by esteemed artisans Md Ghani bin Mat, Padil Osman and Nawwal binti Abdul Kadir. Md Ghani bin Mat, recognised as a master artisan and Adiguru of Batik block craft, will unveil the meticulous process of crafting and moulding Batik blocks.

Heritage

Finally, talk sessions will be held with engaging discussions led by Azzaha Ibrahim, an architect, independent researcher and artist of Corak Malaysia, and Nawwal binti Abdul Kadir. Together, they will be sharing their insights and expertise in motifs and natural dye.

In the realm of Asian cultural exploration, IKAT 2.0 stands as a one-of-its-kind experiential event that harmoniously integrates heritage textiles with an enriching interactive experience. IKAT 2.0 is spearheaded by EDT, a creative studio specialising in virtual reality, augmented reality as well as mixed reality and presented by Yayasan Hasanah.