Penang, Malaysia Day 2
Street Art, George Town became a UNESCO world heritage site 2008 as it is a living museum.
In 2012 Penang’s city council hired London-trained Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic who was assign a project to bring more life into the aging city. His artwork is spread all across the town which is packed with colorful, vibrant and stunning street art, a collection of 30 plus works painted on reclaimed and found materials. His art combines physical objets with cartoon murals in a comical way of the life in Penang. The art is very cleaver with objects that entice you to interact by taking selfies which are then posted all over social media. It’s quite ingenious, In addition the art is spread throughout the back streets and its almost like a scavenger game or having a treasure map where you run around trying to find the next mural. Obviously this is to help promote tourism but it’s great artwork and good exercise. Many Chinese tea house, restaurants and souvenir shops rely on this to bring in customers. I am not really into art or museums but I spent the whole day briskly walking to find the mural. I wish I had spent more time photographing and mapping out the locations.
Other cities like Mami and Berlin also have amazing street art but if you are in Asia, please go and see Penangs you wont be disappointed. You can download this map to get you started.. (Penang Street Art Map). I also highly suggest you take water with you and a good pair of sneakers.. You will be walking alot.
George Town grew to become the trading hub of the northern part of the Malaysia and Sumatra. Rubber, Tin and tin were collected for export to the Western countries. Manufactured goods like textiles and machinery were imported and the cheap labor ignited the economy. The history of George Town began with its establishment by Captain Francis Light from the British East India Company in 1786. Founded as a free port, George Town became the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and prospered in the 19th century as one of the vital British ports in the region. Singapore also grew the same after Penang. Durning WWII, the Bristish and Australian forces tried to defend the island but like Singapore fell into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Empire. It was later liberated by the British, under Operation Jurist.
Please click on the link below to see day 3 (bats and Penang hill)
