CGI spectacle ready for VMY 2014 kick-off

All set: Projection mapping on Sultan Abdul Samad building during the rehearsal for the launch of VMY 2014 at Dataran Merdeka.

KUALA LUMPUR: Visit Malaysia Year 2014 officially takes off today against a backdrop of CGI (computer-generated imagery) visuals of the country’s multi-delights of places, culture and culinary fare at Dataran Merdeka.

Visitors will be amazed by the impressive 3D mapping and multimedia showcase that will light up the night with pyrotechnics effects.

This is aside from the tantalising street food fest, where they will get a taste of delicious Malaysia delicacies, and entertainment by some of the best artistes in the region, including Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.

The country has, for many years, presented to tourists specialties that range from culture and heritage to eco-tourism, with food, shopping, lifestyle, sport, education, medical and luxury tourism introduced in recent years.

VMY 2014 launch public relations manager Ina Hopkins said the team took six months to prepare the spectacular event using innovative CGI technology.

VMY 2014 secretariat senior manager Ibrahim Abdullah described the event in a single word: unique. “The team had little time to set up for the launch since the previous event ended only a few days ago,” he said, in reference to the New Year countdown show at the square. “But we had been preparing for this since July last year,” he added.

“Even the icon looks unique. The mascot for VMY 2014 is a one-of-a-kind icon,” he said of the proboscis monkey, an endangered species found primarily in Borneo and predominantly in Sabah.

Ibrahim said video mapping was being done for the first time on the Sultan Abdul Samad building, the majestic Moorish-designed building at the historic square that once housed the city’s courtrooms.

“We faced some challenges along the way, especially when the weather was bad,” added Ibrahim, thankful that the Culture and Tourism Ministry had helped select the performers for the event.

“I hope VMY 2014 will be spread throughout the world. We encourage people who come to this event to share it with others through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other means,” said Ibrahim.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is due to launch the year-long fest at 10pm, and the celebration will continue right up to midnight with a fireworks extravaganza. Malaysia hopes to draw more than 28 million tourists throughout the year.

-thestar online.