UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Department of Advertising in collaboration with the Artermini Research House successfully organised the inaugural edition of March Sensation - Connessioni X Conversations: Asia-Europe at the Hale Street Heritage Gallery, Ipoh.

Held as part of Visit Perak Year 2024, the March Sensation, a global fusion of art and dialogue was officiated on 1 March 2024.  The exhibition placed a strong emphasis on Connection and Conversation between Asia and Europe, facilitated by a cross-regional working team and 11 artists from Malaysia, China and Italy.

Aimed at strengthening tourism promotion by valorising art, cultural and heritage sites, and enriching the cultural programmes of the Tourism Year, the exhibition marked the first international contemporary art exhibition in Ipoh. Additionally, the exhibition also aimed to establish a diversified dialogue, providing a platform for interactive sharing and cross-border learning.

UTAR, as a programme partner, has played a pivotal role in bringing this event to fruition. UTAR academics, namely Ts Dr Ooi Boon Yaik from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology; Ms Kok Hui Meian, and Dr Nur Afni binti Halil from FAS also joined the exhibition.

Dean of FAS, Dr Lee Lai Meng, attended the opening ceremony, together with Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak Malaysia Ms Nurmalis binti Musa, owner of 22 Hale Street Heritage Gallery Puan Sri Dato’ Sandra Lee, Deputy Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly Ms Jenny Choy Tsi Jen. Also present at the opening ceremony were the Project Directors of the March Sensation, Ms Fenny Cheong and Ms Han Shufeng.

In total, about 80 participants attended the opening ceremony. On the same day, there was an opening art tour by Ms Han, Shufeng. She introduced the 11 artists and their work during the art tour.

In conjunction with March Sensation, one of the UTAR lecturers, Encik Abdullah Ehlid al-Walid bin Luli, from FAS, invited as a speaker to share his expertise as an artist with the audience. On 9 March 2024, Encik Abdullah Ehlid al-Walid spoke about “Waste to Art”. He discussed concepts, ideas, methods, and the creation of works made from used plastic. The audience for the discussion comprised three lecturers and twenty-seven Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Advertising students.