+n by UR-MU — Attraction in Kuala Lumpur

this is gonna be long - sorry in advance lol.

the exhibitions are located in levels 2 to 4, with a coffee space at the rooftop.

registration process was simple and straightforward. lockers are available to visiting tourists to keep their suitcases in. the staff was welcoming and warm.

you will be given an access card to get into each floor, although there is the option to take the stairs (fire exit) in between levels once you're on level 2 to make the viewing experience more seamless, albeit slightly manual.

there's seating on all floors, as if inviting you to maybe take your time to pause between each displayed art. if the intention was to make it feel like someone's safe, private space-or a home almost-it works. the wooden benches were beautiful, btw.

my fave floors were levels 3 and 4. it felt like reading a diary of sorts. personal. allows you to reflect.

all in all, i thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in the space. go if you would like a bit of a quiet respite from the the busy streets of chinatown and get into an introspective headspace. go if you have nothing else to do on a weekend and you would like a bit of internet detox.

not posting a lot of pics to avoid experience spoilers haha. but i hope the few that i do helps you get a sense of what to expect when you go in. (they have a website too btw, worth checking for events, etc...)

p.s. they have a small section at the ground floor entrance for basic gallery merch like canvas totes and postcards. there's also a small, cute ink stamp of the building's facade that you can, well, stamp on paper -your journal maybe- if you're into collecting...

Kuala Lumpur has many museums, but I highly recommend putting together the puzzle of the three UR-MU museums. Each one is unique in its own way, with the two we visited building their identity around the history and architecture of the place. Don’t hesitate to ask for a 10% discount coupon after visiting the first museum for the subsequent ones!

Firstly, the collections impress with their diversity and bold statements. They explore the history of resistance to authoritarian rule in Malaysia and show how important art is as a means of transforming reality into images and symbols. These museums engage in a conversation about contemporary issues through myths, raising crucial questions about progress and building a free society. Secondly, the modern approach to space design is remarkable. The museums don’t just display artworks; they create an atmosphere that immerses you in the art and encourages dialogue with the artists.

Thirdly, the comfort: there are many cozy spots where you can relax and reflect on what you’ve seen. And the highlight of each museum is the rooftop – a perfect place to digest all the impressions while watching the vibrant city life below.

And here’s a little bonus: if you visit on weekdays, you might find that the entire museum space is yours to explore in peace.

If you ask me what I felt was missing, I would say a cool gift shop where you could purchase high-resolution posters of the exhibits, postcards,...

Truly awed, amazed and secretly tickled occasionally, at how the artists used their creative talents to paint, sculpt, draw, etc. to protest, highlight, and focus on social inequalities and political hypocrisy, despite the strict censorship of the times. The exhibits truly showcase the power of art in political and social protest and effectively enabled the artists to voice their thoughts and feelings through their work, albeit in a more subtle fashion. My head is still reeling with the impact of many of the pieces, which was so clearly described by Hannah, our museum coordinator. While obviously not being born before the period of this exhibition, Hannah's deep knowledge and understanding of the exhibits and her desire and passion to ensure visitors leave more enlightened is commendable. The art and the accompanying labels, with Hannah's narrative, helped us gain a deeper understanding of many of the pieces. A big shout out to Hannah and her crew who helped curate the collection, as well as the folks who made their private collections available to us and designed the physical oasis in the midst of the noisy busyness of the street below. Special thanks too, to our personal guide and friend, Diana Lee, who told us of the UR-Mu @ Tun HSLee, and facilitated our visit. The art exhibits have documented in art form much of Malaysian history that will never make it into our history books. Syabas to all...