ELEMEN, an interactive immersive exhibition developed by D’Project under De Comate, has opened at The Waterfront Shoppe, offering visitors an experience inspired by five elements: water, space, air, earth and fire.
Spanning 7,700 sq ft, the exhibition features 15 interactive zones that combine digital technology, lighting, sound and interactive installations, allowing visitors to engage with artworks through their movements and gestures.
Drawing inspiration from the five elements, the exhibition blends entertainment and education while exploring the relationship between people, culture and nature. It also incorporates familiar aspects of Malaysian life and culture, including golden padi fields, the sensitive plant and satay.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who attended the launch, highlighted the exhibition’s incorporation of Malaysian cultural elements, saying local heritage could be presented in contemporary and innovative ways without losing its identity.
“Culture does not have to be experienced only through museums, historical buildings or traditional performances,” he said.
Wong also commended the creativity, technical expertise and determination behind the project, which took six months to develop through research, testing and refinement.
He said initiatives such as ELEMEN could provide local creative talents with opportunities to develop their skills, collaborate and turn original ideas into commercially viable attractions, businesses and employment opportunities.
“We want Penang to be a place where creative talents can not only develop their ideas but also turn those ideas into businesses, employment opportunities and products that can reach audiences beyond our shores.
“In the longer term, I hope that the experience gained from projects like this will encourage more local creative enterprises to develop their own original concepts and bring Penang-developed creative products to other cities and international markets,” Wong said.
He added that ELEMEN demonstrated how immersive technology, artistic expression, Malaysian cultural elements and local creative talent could come together to create innovative tourism attractions.
“I hope this project will inspire more businesses, investors and creative professionals to consider Penang as a place to develop innovative ideas, collaborate with local talent and create experiences that appeal to both domestic and international markets,” he said.
De Comate director Yeo Lee Ching said the exhibition was designed to encourage visitors to pause and reconnect with nature and one another amid their busy daily lives.
“Between daily work, crazy traffic, and staring at our phones, we forget to pause.
“We forget Mother Earth, and we forget each other,” she said.
Yeo said the exhibition differed from a conventional museum by encouraging visitors to interact directly with the installations rather than simply observe them.
She hoped visitors would leave with lasting memories and a stronger sense of connection with their loved ones.
Also present were Seri Delima assemblywoman Connie Tan, Tourism Malaysia Northern Region director Mohammad Hadi Che Man, and The Waterfront Shoppe marketing and communications director Jasmine Tai.
Following the launch, Wong and the other guests toured the exhibition, accompanied by Yeo, who introduced them to the various zones and interactive activities.
The exhibition is open to visitors until February 27, 2027, offering Penang residents, domestic tourists and international visitors an opportunity to experience the interactive installations during the exhibition period.
Story and pix by Ammar Mikhail Aamer