Exploring of time-based media artwork’s at Kapallporek Artspace

Time-based and new media art in Malaysia has developed significantly since the 1970s, when pioneers such as Kamarudzaman Md. Isa and Ismail Zain experimented with computers, challenging the separation between art and technology. With advances in digital tools, Malaysian artists increasingly explored interactive, multimedia, and experimental practices, shaping the diversity of contemporary new media art in the country. This research studies the evolution of Malaysian time-based media art through Kapallorek Artspace, an independent creative space that promotes experimentation, skill development, and collaboration. The research focuses on four practising Malaysian artists such as, Afiq Romi, Izzat Zurrin, Suhaila Saleh, and Zulkefli Jais. Whose practices illustrate innovative approaches to time-based and new media art. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis, the study observes how these artists engage with digital tools, overcome technical challenges, develop creative processes, and explore themes such as memory, identity, culture, and spatial experience. This study uses Marshall McLuhan’s media tetrad to understand how time, technology, and media influence the way artworks are created and experienced. The findings show that these artists often combine video, sound, and installations to make engaging and interactive artworks. Kapallorek Artspace is an important place for trying out new ideas, sharing knowledge, and improving skills outside formal institutions. The research further shows that contemporary Malaysian video art, including interactive and narrative works, is strongly influenced by local culture and environment. Overall, this study highlights the role of independent spaces in supporting creativity and technical growth. It shows how Malaysian artists use time, technology, and media to express personal and cultural meanings, contributing to the development of a unique national identity in contemporary new media art.