MMU through its Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM), in collaboration with Pertubuhan Seni Nusantara (Nu.Art), launched Apresiasi A. Samad Said, an immersive arts exhibition and theatre showcase celebrating Malaysia’s National Laureate, Dato’ Seri A. Samad Said on 15 May 2025. Held at the university’s e-Gallery, the event spotlights the enduring influence of the celebrated literary figure through a rich blend of digital reinterpretations and live theatrical performance.
The launch was officiated by MMU President, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, and honoured by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Yang Berbahagia Datuk Azuan Effendy bin Zairathnaini, Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela of Istana Negara and Board Member of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP); Encik Helmy Samad, son and representative of Dato’ Seri A. Samad Said; and Puan Roziah binti Md Yunos, Head of the Promotion & Recognition Division, representing the Director-General of DBP.
In his officiating address, Prof. Mazliham congratulated the organisers and partners, including Nu.Art, DBP, Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN), Balai Seni Negara, Filamen, and the Creative Multimedia Club (CMC), for their collaborative efforts.
The exhibition features a compelling collection of digital artworks and visual poetry inspired by A. Samad Said’s literary legacy. Created by students from FCM’s foundation and diploma programmes, the pieces offer a fresh and modern take on the laureate’s works, bridging traditional literature with contemporary digital media. Guided by FCM academic mentors, the initiative fosters a dynamic space for students to explore cultural narratives through technology and design.
The launch was further enlivened by the premiere of Rumah Kosong, a powerful theatre performance directed by renowned Malaysian theatre practitioner Iryanda Mulia Ramly. Staged from 15 to 17 May 2025, the performance delves into themes of absence, memory, and longing, echoing motifs found in A. Samad Said’s poetry. The minimalist production combines monologue, movement, and raw emotion, brought to life by performers from Nu.Art.
The Apresiasi A. Samad Said exhibition will run until 27 May 2025, offering the public a unique opportunity to experience the timeless beauty of Malaysian literature through the lens of a younger generation. The event also featured the prize-giving ceremony for Pertandingan Dari Kata ke Kanvas by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), in two categories: Digital Art and Generative Art.
