Local artist Wong Kaiyi has created an art installation called “Moonlit Dragon” in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Using plastic plates and wooden pieces, Wong’s sculpture depicts a spirit dragon chasing a full moon, inspired by Chinese mythology and folklore. The artwork symbolizes unity, peace, and prosperity, and tells a legendary tale of different villages and tribes in China coming together during a time of conflict. The innocent children from these tribes imagined a dragon that could bring harmony to all.
According to Wong, this is the largest project he has undertaken. He envisions the dragon flying in and out of the lane, chasing after the moon. The installation consists of 10,000 plastic plates that form the dragon’s body, head, and the full moon. The semi-translucent plates resemble dragon scales and create a shimmering effect with embedded lighting.
At one end of the site, there is a giant dragon head looking towards the full moon, and smaller installation pieces are scattered along the heritage lane to show the spirit dragon weaving in and out. The plates used in the installation are made from food-grade recyclable plastic, which is accessible, cheap, and weather-proof. If any parts of the display get damaged or lost, they can be easily replaced. The plastic and wood used in the installation will be recycled at the end of the display period.
Zeen Chang, managing partner of Bai Chuan Management, which oversees Kwai Chai Hong, mentioned that the heritage lane always showcases installations related to Chinese culture in a fresh and thought-provoking manner. The aim is to preserve Chinese tradition through modernity and attract both locals and tourists. Chang believes that the art installation, like others in the lane, will become part of the heritage as it embraces imagination and creativity in artistic expression.
The “Moonlit Dragon” art installation can be viewed until October 8, and Kwai Chai Hong is open to the public from 9 AM to midnight daily.
Wong (left) and Chang with the head of the ‘Moonlit Dragon’ art installation. — Photos: SS KANESAN/The Star
Smaller art installations are set up along the heritage lane to illustrate the spirit dragon weaving in and out of the place.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
