Zacharevic pieces Scrabble tiles to form artwork on haze pollution
The mural along Jalan Leboh Pasar Besar shows painted Scrabble tiles arranged to spell out ‘transboundary haze’, which calls on the authorities to hold polluters responsible for causing toxic air.
This time around, Zacharevic collaborated with...
Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic has unveiled his latest art piece in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with World Environment Day to create awareness of transboundary haze pollution.
The mural along Jalan Leboh Pasar Besar shows painted Scrabble tiles arranged to spell out ‘transboundary haze’, which calls on the authorities to hold polluters responsible for causing toxic air.
This time around, Zacharevic collaborated with environmental NGO Greenpeace, creative platform Splash and Burn as well as filmmaker Studiobirthplace to produce the artwork.
The artist hopes to drive change with this piece which took him four days to complete from June 1 to 4.
"Living in Malaysia, the transboundary haze has become a natural part of life. It’s a regular occurrence for many and from what I can see, it seems like people are just trying to learn to live with it rather than finding ways to prevent or solve it.
"We believe art can help the public to understand and relate to the issue on a more personal level. We hope it can start the conversation and encourage policymakers to address the issues meaningfully.
“We should not have to wait for another haze season to look for solutions," he stressed.
His collaborators said this is the first project in a series of creative interventions planned throughout the year urging those in authority to hold polluters accountable for clean air as a basic human right.
"In 2020, the government shelved the tabling of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act while civil society was calling to enact it due to the ineffectiveness of diplomatic efforts to curb the toxic haze.
"According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, a rise in temperature along with the haze phenomenon is expected to hit the country from July to September this year," said Greenpeace, Splash and Burn, and Studiobirthplace in a statement.
Strong government actions needed
Greenpeace Malaysia campaigner Heng Kiah Chun emphasised that there are solutions within reach, but it requires strong actions taken by the government.
"Deforestation and transboundary haze pollution happened in the region for years. This is why it is important that haze pollution and forest protection be part of the main agenda in the upcoming general election.
"We must consider the harm that increased air pollution will bring when we are still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic devastation it has brought.
"The government should enhance air quality governance and strengthen the recognition of environmental rights – that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right - as recently done by the United Nations Human Rights Council," he added.
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