The old Rex Cinema has gone through hell and back. Its revamped aesthetics invigorates its presence. The latest addition to the Rex Cinema is none other than the RXP digital art gallery which was introduced in November 2023.
Since RXP’s sponsored ads kept popping up on my Facebook feed, it fueled my curiosity.
I took the opportunity to visit the digital art gallery, thinking that the experience would be mind-blowing. Did it live up to its promising glimpse? Let’s just say it fell short.
Read on to discover how the RXP Digital Art Gallery in KL could have been better. And why you should consider visiting it.
History of Rex KL
The Rex Cinema was the largest in Malaysia during its heyday. Back then, guests were ushered to their sits by an attendant who carried a torchlight to guide them there. The floors were covered with kuaci shells, and you can occasionally sport scurrying rats.
In a twist of events, the original Rex Theatre was burned down in the 1970s. In 1976, the old cinema was replaced with a new 1,100-seat single-screen theater owned by Golden Screen Cinemas (or GSC)
After 25 years in operation, Rex Cinema shuttered its doors and was transformed into a backpackers hotel in 2007.
Nevertheless, the hostel’s longevity was cut short when a fire broke out in August that year, with 50 backpackers occupying the building then. While no one was injured, firemen spent one and a half hours putting off the blaze, a clear indication that the hostel was badly damaged.
RexKL sank to its lowest point of neglect when drug users and vagabonds called the place their second home.
In 2018, their new owners embarked on an ambitious project to transform RexKL into a creative space for events, performances, exhibitions, F&B, and retail outlets.
Most of the cinema’s original structure has been left intact, like the staircase tiles, the upper seating deck, and the sinks in the toilets. The rustic chairs were stripped to create space while creating new pockets of space within Rex KL.
Today, REXKL houses 19 outlets combining vintage hops, an Instagrammable Bookxcess bookshop, a tattoo parlor, local apparel wear, and several F&B outlets.
How To Get To Rex KL
As Rex KL is located along Jalan Sultan and in the heart of Chinatown, using public transport via the MRT train is a convenient option. Just alight at Pasar Seni and it’s a short of 10 minutes from the station.
If you’re driving, do park at the covered car park along Jalan Sultan.
Rex KL Digital Art Gallery Experience
The REX KL Digital Art show showcases the work of 3 digital art maestros during the one-hour show. The shows are aired every hour, starting from 10 am until 9 pm.
Rest assured that there are sufficient Tickets available at the box office counter. So you need not purchase it in advance online. For better planning, do check out the available slots here.
As you enter the gallery, the flowing colors and graphics zigzagging across the floor and walls create a captivating and surreal canvas. It blurs your sense of gravity, creating an illusion of floating. This is exacerbated by the uneven and sloping ground of the cinema floor.
Stools, benches, and bean bags are starkly placed for viewers to choose their best seats. My youngest kid ran around the cinema, chasing the running lights as the graphics changed in sync with pounding rhythms and beats.
First Show - Yume
The first show we watched was Yume which showcases Japan’s rich history through immersive Japanese masterpieces. The sliding doors reminiscent of dining in tatami cubicles are a recurring theme, appearing as the theme changes.
The "Wave of Kanagawa" is memorable with swimming koi fishes and changing landscapes, alongside the snow-covered terrain of “Heain Jingu No Yuki”.
The colors used in Yume are vibrant and lively and the smooth transitions do not cause motion sickness. I would say it was enjoyable.
Second Show – Annihilation
Annihilation is a digital solo dance performance that blends the dancer, lasers, and electronic music seamlessly. The dancer dances against a backdrop combining Malaysia’s verdant jungle and Belgian’s distinct landscape.
The 3D laser scans backdrop morphs and changes with the pulsating tunes, as the dancer’s rather repetitive movements take the audience through changing seasons.
The experience would be better should you opt for the 2 pm show onwards where there is a live performance with a dancer on-stage.
Third Show – Foreign Nature
Foreign Nature takes the audience through the lens of a moving capsule into a realm of mathematical landscapes with hints of mother nature. At times, it looks like a journey to outer space, yet there are similarities to Earth in some scenes.
As the graphics zoom in and out, this show made me feel a little nauseous due to motion sickness as forewarned before the start of the digital exhibition.
The soundtrack was deafening, and I had to shield my eardrums to sit through this last bit.
Without reading a synopsis of what this art exhibition is about, I wrongly interpreted this abstract personification of what should have been a mathematical journey amidst reality. Instead, what strived to alter our state of consciousness, gave me a mild headache at the end of the show.
Pricing
The tickets are over-priced at RM60 per adult RM30 for children aged 7 – 11 and students at RM42. The total cost of RM132 for the 3 of us did not include the live performance on stage, which would be a costlier option.
The organizer should consider lowering the price to draw a better turnout.
Verdict
Considering the high price of the tickets, the REXKL digital art gallery would be a one-off visit for me. Its digital ads effectively convert, enough to coerce me to drive my family to experience the show.
On a positive note, it was a novel and new experience for us as digital art exhibitions are rare in Malaysia. It makes a decent first-date outing, especially if you’re yearning for an unconventional artsy affair.
Just my personal opinion - but the expense could have been put to better use to delight my gourmet senses. A quick swing by Ka Fei Dian along Pasar Seni would make me walk out brimming with happiness and a full tummy, with extra change too!
Alternatively, the National Art Gallery KL’s captivating and diverse art form from artists across Malaysia won’t cost you a cent, while keeping enthralled.
Comments