Greenpeace Malaysia wraps up the timely ‘Haze: Coming Soon’ activist art exhibition, drawing over 6,000 visitors, including policy makers, as the ASEAN transboundary haze meeting approaches.

Visitors experience ‘artivism’ up-close and learn more about the critical issue of haze pollution – a topic often clouded in confusion.

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 MAY 2021 – A truly unique multifaceted event took place at REXKL from May 5 to 14 through the joint efforts of Greenpeace Malaysia, Studio Birthplace and Splash & Burn. The exhibition combined art, film, and activism, immersing visitors in a visual feast with a vital message: it’s time Malaysians stand up for our right to clean Haze-free air. The exhibition also attracted the attendance of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong, and political veteran Lim Kit Siang to join in the discussion.

Studio Birthplace, campaign producer, Sean Lin, explained, “The root of change is awareness. Awareness ignites engagement, and builds momentum towards social change which makes policy change more likely. This creative campaign aims to bring people together to talk about haze and to support Greenpeace’s campaign to protect the air we breathe for future generations.”

Visitors were welcomed with a screening room for the short film Haze-zilla, next to a large cityscape of cardboard buildings, repurposed from the film set. Visitors then walked through an immersive, misty “Haze Corridor”, displaying the severity and effects of haze from 1991 until 2019, a stark reminder of living through recurring haze episodes for over three decades. Multiple artworks – including large murals, striking posters, paintings and poetry – were displayed in the main exhibition space from artists such as Ernest Zacharevic, Cloakwork, Pangrok Sulap, Kai Yi Wong, Fahmi Reza, Bibichun, Trexus and Trina Teoh. Attendees could also interact with polls and browse informational displays explaining the story of haze and inviting them to take real action to join the movement.

The exhibition’s opening weekend featured a launch party and a contemporary dance performance by the Asia Ballet Theatre. Following this was a lively discussion from a multidisciplinary panel on the topics of haze pollution and creative activism. Participants included Dr. Helena Varkkey (Associate Professor of Environmental Politics), Kiu Jia Yaw (Sustainable Development Lawyer), Heng Kiah Chun (Campaigner, Greenpeace Malaysia), Ernest Zacharevic (Curator, Splash and Burn), Sean Lin (Producer, Studio Birthplace), and moderator Melissa Tan (Environmental Activist).

Panellists discussed the complex challenges of tackling the haze problem within their respective fields, highlighting the need for stronger domestic policies. “It’s time for our government to enact a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to ensure Malaysian companies operating abroad are not contributing to forest and peat fires,” said Heng.

Lawyer Jia Yaw highlighted the challenges of connecting action and responsibility to liability, stating, “Haze is not one party fanning the flames, it’s a collective responsibility of all parties’ inaction towards these companies”.

The discussion also addressed  the importance of keeping conversations about air pollution alive throughout the year, even when skies overhead are clear. Artist Ernest Zacharevic raised the point on how quickly the topic of haze is dropped from the media agenda, adding, “There are more efforts by companies to stop the conversation surrounding haze, than them actually contributing to the fight for clean air.” Panellists also spoke on the incredible value of more creative mediums – such as art and film – to ignite meaningful conversations around environmental topics.

One such example is Haze-zilla, the satirical short film by Studio Birthplace that premiered at the exhibition. In the film, a greedy corporate giant unleashes haze all over Kuala Lumpur as a group of activists rise up in protest. The film’s director, Abhilash Chandra, explained, “As Malaysians, our voices are often drowned out by the rich and powerful. So, why not poke fun at them, while highlighting a very important message: that this environmental crisis will continue to recur if we do not take action now.” Haze-zilla can be found on Greenpeace Malaysia’s Youtube channel, which has already garnered over 180,000 views. Collectively the film reached over 400,000 eyeballs across platforms since its release on May 6th.

During the 10-day event, more than 2,000 visitors signed the petition demanding for a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. Members of the public who were unable to attend the exhibition can still add their voice to the fight for clean air by signing the official Greenpeace petition here on the organisation’s website. This petition will be presented at the ASEAN transboundary haze meeting in Singapore next month.

Notes to editor / background info:

  • The Haze-zilla film itself is an inspiring example of what happens when passionate individuals collaborate and commit to an important cause, over 150 people came together to lend their voices and talents to make the film possible. As part of Studio Birthplace’s commitment to build a more sustainable film industry, the film crew built sets from repurposed materials, exclusively used reusable cups and bottles on set, served vegetarian meals, and used digital scripts and call sheets. Carbon emissions from transport for the shoot were also measured and compensated by 150% through tree planting initiatives via Tree Nation. 
  • The campaign also consists of a series of public murals around Kuala Lumpur and Penang, consisting of artwork from Fahmi Reza, Ernest Zacharevic, Clockwork and Pangrok Sulap.
  • These creative interventions make up the creative counterpart to build momentum and gain public support for a larger ongoing campaign to lobby lawmakers. In December 2021, Greenpeace Malaysia, together with CERAH, filed a landmark complaint with Malaysia’s Human Rights commission (SUHAKAM) to demand that the government make outdoor air quality standards legally binding and enforceable. The complaint called for the implementation of stronger policies and better enforcement of laws to protect our right to clean, haze free air, and for the enactment of a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act or Clean Air Act. Since then, SUHAKAM has taken on the issue with a Roundtable Discussion of experts and is set to soon release a report that presents recommendations to the Malaysian government.

About Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative comms to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

About Studio Birthplace
Studio Birthplace, founded in 2019, is a creative studio that focuses solely on ecological topics and a sustainable future for our planet. The studio’s work consists of campaign films, documentaries, music videos, promos and apps, and brought attention to environmental topics such as deforestation, overconsumption, the climate emergency, and the plastic soup. Recent project highlights include Wasteminster for Greenpeace which has collected many awards including a Cannes Lion and two British Arrows.

About Splash & Burn
Splash and Burn is an artist-led initiative curated by Ernest Zacharevic to encourage a wider conversation on unsustainable agriculture and the adverse effects this has on the forests and dwindling wildlife population of Southeast Asia.