Artbox is set to return from 10-12th November and 17-19th November in Sunway Pyramid

Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2023 – Artbox Malaysia is back after a four year hiatus, bringing with it its trademark marvelling experience for Malaysians. This year’s event celebrates the infinite variety of the arts that we simply cannot live without. This specially curated third edition hits Sunway Pyramid’s outdoor car park with a mesmerising Arcadia theme, showcasing five pillars of featured elements for 2023; art, experiential, food, music and retail.

“We truly believe Artbox represents more than just an event. Here, we piece together every unique pillar from all around the region, to form a holistic one-of-a-kind curated experience.” said Ken Chai (Adnology Labs) MY. “Witnessing the success of our first two editions in 2018 and 2019, we are confident this is a movement that Malaysia has long awaited for. So come join us for an other-worldly experience for families and friends, as we continue providing a platform for the creatives to create, connect, showcase and grow.” Kent Teo (INVADE) SG.

Art: Pieces of Arcadia

This year’s edition features various forms of art, from urban street art to modern and contemporary through various programmes, artwork, installations, displays and even live showcases by artists from the best of Southeast Asia at Artbox.

Pieces of Artbox: Hereafter 

The installation explores different mediums of visuals with interactive elements and illusions, creating an other-worldly experience for visitors.

Pieces of Artbox: Art pillars & Murals

These vertical wall stands feature artwork by Malaysian artists, as part of Artbox’s aim to empower the thriving urban street culture.

Experiential: Garden of Creation

This experiential zone provides visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves through creativity & art, pushing the boundaries of their imagination at the hands-on cultural stations, presenting an innovative way to connect people of all ages. Attendees can experience exciting workshops.

Food: The Forbidden Bite

An Artbox experience is made perfect with a plethora  of tantalising treats, and this year is no different. Expect a creative showcase of gourmet creations from food & beverage entrepreneurs, partners, and brands from Southeast Asia. This includes the popular vendors flying in from Thailand with the more authentic flavours, along with a local curation of F&B vendors.

Music: Sound of Bliss

Artbox will be working with aspiring and established talents in Malaysia to allow upcoming artists to showcase the best of music and to entertain the crowd with their groovy beats. All while adding a much-welcomed local flavour to keep the party going.

Retail: Shopping Paradise

In line with its initiatives of supporting and empowering entrepreneurs, Artbox aims to showcase the best of crafts and creative products from a range of local to global brands, to create a unique shopping experience for visitors.

Artbox is also collaborating with key partners to bring this marvellous event to life. This includes Sunway Pyramid as the official venue partner and Fujifilm (Instax) as the official partner. Attendees are encouraged to visit the instagrammable instax Mart to experience the brand new instax Pal, and to receive free photos and freebies. Dissy.co features as Artbox’s official merchandise partner, and will be customising t-shirts at the booth. Furthermore, on weekends, look out for special Dissy artists to be on ground as store managers, while running TikTok live and organising exciting games with audiences.

Next, Artbox has also partnered with TikTok as its official media partner. There will be several fun activities on ground, this includes a prize redemption activation, where users complete tasks on both online and offline platforms to collect and redeem points. In addition, visitors can check out the TikTok Creator Lounge for TikTok creators meet and greet, and to serve as a content creation spot for creators.

Vapour product Vuse and automobile manufacturer GWM are also key parts of the event. Vuse allows visitors to step into Portals to Inspiration for a chance to explore your hidden creativity, and celebrate art and music. Be among the first to check out the just-launched Vuse GO 3000 which comes in eight bold flavours and features Easy-View Liquid so you will never have to second guess your liquid balance again. Charge Beyond with Vuse and unleash your inner creativity while winning cool merchandise along the way*This product contains nicotine and is addictive. 18+ Only.

On the other hand, consumers can also participate in the mystery gift wall activity by posting a photo tagging GWM and following GWM’s social media. Upon completion they can choose a box containing a mystery gift card. Consumers can redeem the gift at the redemption counter (while stock lasts).

Artbox Arcadia Tunnel inspired by Kalista (Circle Studios)

Meanwhile, Artbox’s stunning Arcadia tunnel is inspired by a local storybook, Kalista. The tunnel serves as an immersive showcase for our storybook, “The Mysterious Gumgrumps,” taking visitors into the world of the Kerokea planet. It will be adorned and transformed with various floral elements to bring the story to life. Throughout the journey inside the tunnel, there will be engaging activities for visitors to enjoy. In addition, participants who successfully complete these activities will have the opportunity to receive merchandise and special giveaways.

Head over to Artbox Malaysia 2023 from 10-12th November and 17-19th November (3pm-11pm) to immerse yourself in a captivating celebration of art, experiential moments, music, food and shopping! For more information, visit artbox.my, and follow Artbox on Facebook and Instagram.

Spokesperson: Dr Teoh Wei Leng, Consultant Endocrinologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City

Diabetes affects about 422 million people worldwide, with the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to this condition each year.i Fortunately, increased advancements in the medical industry have significantly improved patient outcomes in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

We spoke to Dr Teoh Wei Leng, Consultant Endocrinologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, to better understand this rampant condition this World Diabetes Day.

“Diabetes is a chronic disease when an individual’s pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or when it cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.ii Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy. When this fails, it can lead to elevated glucose levels in your body and over long periods of time can raise one’s risk of organ damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels and/or heart.iii” Dr Teoh explains.

The prevalence of diabetes among Malaysians is heading towards an upward trajectory. It is estimated that 7 million adult Malaysians will be affected by diabetes by 2025. Dr Teoh explains that the most common type of this condition is Type 2 diabetes, and of late, it seems also to be affecting younger people. “One of the most worrying phenomena is that people are getting diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at a much younger age. I diagnosed a 17-year-old recently, with childhood obesity and strong family history of diabetes. Our paediatric endocrinologists are seeing Type 2 diabetes in children which was never the case before,” added Dr Teoh.

Understanding the Root Causes Is Not As Simple as Excess Sugar

Dr Teoh pointed out that while genetic predisposition does play a role, lifestyle choices significantly contribute to diabetes. “Poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity are prominent triggers. We need to educate good healthy food choices from childhood so that we can form healthy lifelong eating habits to reduce the rise of obesity. Addressing these factors is crucial in our battle against diabetes.”

“Frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue are classic signs. If you notice these symptoms, don’t dismiss them, get your blood sugar levels checked promptly. Today, blood sugar levels can be checked for free or a small fee in pharmacies or clinics,” shares Dr Teoh.

Dispelling Myths and Encouraging Healthy Habits

One of the challenges in managing diabetes is the prevalence of myths and misconceptions. Dr Teoh is quick to dispel these misconceptions, especially regarding medication, “A common misconception is that diabetes medications harm the kidneys. In reality, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney damage. It’s essential to ensure regular follow-up with your diabetes doctor.”

Furthermore, Dr Teoh stresses the importance of a balanced lifestyle. “Healthy eating and regular exercise are paramount,” she says. “It’s not about extreme diets; it’s about sustainable, nutritious choices. Small changes in daily habits can lead to significant overall health improvements. For example, instead of eating out or takeaways 3-4 times a week, eat out once a week. A balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables is essential. Pair this with regular exercise – even a brisk walk every day can make a substantial difference,” adds Dr Teoh.

One big myth is that if you do not have family history of diabetes then you will not get diabetes. Dr Teoh explained that despite the lack of family history of diabetes, poor lifestyle choices and poor dietary habits can increase the risk for Type 2 Diabetes. No one is spared from the risk of diabetes!

Innovations in Treating and Managing Diabetes

On treatment options, Dr Teoh shared the growing advancement in diabetes treatment and management, “We have seen remarkable progress in diabetes management. From innovative medications to continuous glucose monitoring systems, there are various tools available. However, personalised care that fits a patient’s needs or lifestyle and patient education remain the cornerstones of effective treatment.”

Breaking The Diabetes Hurdles With Education, Understanding And Compassion

In conclusion, diabetes is a challenge, but it’s a challenge that can be met with awareness, education, and collective efforts. Dr Teoh shares, “With the right knowledge and support, individuals with diabetes can lead fulfilling lives. It can be done with a holistic approach that includes understanding the condition, making informed choices and having compassion.”

i https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1

ii https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes iii https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes