Operation Resurrection: Launch Report
Operation Resurrection was launched on 9 March 2011 at the exhibition site on the 1st Floor, Main Library, University of Malaya (U.M.). This project is a photographic tribute to the Experimental Theatre, U.M., which was a hub for the performing arts in its heyday, spanning the late 60s, 70s, 80s and early-to-mid-90s. It was declared a National Heritage Site in 2009 along with its sister buildings, the Chancellery and Dewan Tunku Canselor. Up until then, the E.T., as it is fondly known, lay in disrepair. Restoration works commenced in October 2009.
Entrance to the exhibition.
Space series.
Theatricality Series.
Textures series.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Chief Librarian, Dr Nor Edzan Hj Che Nasir, the Chief Librarian. Our special guests at the launch were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development, Prof Dr Kurunathan Ratnavelu, and the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Alumni, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Azarae Hj Idris. Also present were members of the Library’s staff, who turned up en masse, as well as friends and family of the team.
Members of the audience at the launch.
Members of the Library staff at the launch.
Project director Benjamin Ong giving some of the background to the project.
Chief Librarian Dr Nor Edzan delivering her speech.
In her speech, Dr Nor Edzan said, “I was really in awe when I saw this last night; something beyond my expectations. The presentation was different from what I’m used to seeing when I go to exhibitions.” She went on, saying, “This project started in 2009 when [then Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development] Datuk Khaw [Lake Tee] approached me, saying that a group of students had done some photography and needed someone to back them up and showcase their project.”
According to Dr Nor Edzan, one of the strongest factors that latched her onto the project, was the fact that the team was comprised of students from various faculties. “This project is being done by students from different disciplines, but with a common interest—trying to document something that isn’t going to be there anymore, in the form that it was in.”
“This is the first time the Library is sponsoring a project whose origins we are not aware of, and in spite of the [budget limitations] they came up with something very impressive,” she added. “I’m really proud that U.M. has students who are capable of doing things without being asked, and when I saw this last night, I thought to myself that if students can do this, their future in the world outside would be okay.”
She thanked En Mahbob Yusof, the Deputy Chief Librarian, who was responsible for supervising the entire project on behalf of the Library, meeting up with the members of the team and making sure that everything ran smoothly.
In closing, she congratulated the members of the team, saying that the Library will continue to support such endeavours and works of art by the students. She also praised the team for their effort in trying to piece together the history of the Experimental Theatre, for supplementing the photographs with historical documentation, displayed on the introductory panels as well as on the Operation Resurrection website.
Scissors at the ready...
... and Operation Resurrection is go!
After the launch proper, the guests were taken on a guided tour of the exhibition by members of the team.
Dr Nor Edzan and special guests viewing the information panels.
The exhibition is open to students and staff of the university,
as well as members of the public.
Photographer and team logistics director Timothy Cheng
with Dr Nor Edzan and Deputy Chief Librarian En Mahbob Yusof.
Benjamin with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Prof Dr Kurunathan Ratnavelu
at the Textures series display.
Deputy Chief Librarian Pn Janaki Sinnasamy
and Head of Academic Services Division Pn Koh Ai Peng.
En Mahbob with Dr Nor Edzan at the digital display.
Muhamad Hariz Mohd Zain and Dr Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad of UM Cares.
Datuk Khaw Lake Tee, who was unable to attend the launch, dropped by in the afternoon. She commended the effort the team had put in, saying, “You have created wonderful pieces of art and history.”
Members of the team with former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development)
Prof Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee.
The idea of photographing the Experimental Theatre was sparked one evening in April 2008 when project director, Benjamin Ong, and publicity head, Tan Kee Aun, first entered the E.T. They were awed by what they saw and this led to return visits for more extensive photographic footage. All in all, the project cost RM12,000. The principal photography in October 2009 was funded by the Student Affairs and Alumni division on a budget of RM1,000, while the exhibition, including the printing and display of the works, was funded by the Library on a budget of RM11,000.
The team with the Chief Librarian and special guests.
Back row (L-R):
Hannah Patrick, Firdaus Nejim, Dr Nor Edzan, Nurul Fitrah, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Azarae Hj Idris,
Prof Kurunathan, En Mahbob, Lavania Jeevabala, Leong Yen Yen,
Ruth Choy, Adila Khairul Anuar.
Front row (L-R):
Tan Kee Aun, Amos Aw, Kang Zarul Irwan, Benjamin Ong, Timothy Cheng,
George Zachariah, Shannon Wong.
Not in picture:
Nasha Lee, Noorzilah Jailani, Suzanne Ong, Divya Mariam Chandy, Goh Ann Gie, Zachary Yong, Michelle Hong, Doulos Lee.
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The following are a few additional shots of the exhibition on launch day, by Operation Resurrection team member George Zachariah.
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