Art Meets Action: APU Students Deep Dive Into the Future at The Postnormal MADANI Exhibition

Students from the SoF visited the Postnormal Times MADANI Exhibition, designed to promote understanding of the complex present and the ethical framework (MADANI) meant to navigate Malaysia’s future challenges.

Recently, 160 students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) went beyond textbooks on an adventure to discover the future, guided by Ms Iman Danish Sha and Mr Muhammad Danish Johari from the School of Foundation (SoF).

On 10th June 2024, the SoF organised an eye-opening trip to the Postnormal Times MADANI Exhibition, which was held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

The trip included a deep dive into the intricacies of our world, guided by the innovative MADANI approach championed by our Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and collaboration with the Center for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS).

The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the postnormal times theory and develop the MADANI approach, a principled and ethical framework to guide Malaysia through turbulent times and towards a brighter future.

The exhibition showcases the works of six Malaysian artists who have embraced and interpreted one of MADANI Malaysia’s six ethical drivers: sustainability, care and compassion, respect, innovation, prosperity, and trust.

Scott Jordan, the exhibition’s mastermind, took the students on a one-of-a-kind experience that explored the convergence of political awareness, futures studies, and the ethical frameworks required to navigate difficult times.

Jordan’s insights brought the MADANI approach to life, emphasising its significance among the exhibition’s thought-provoking topics of classic, modern, postmodern, and postnormal.

The students explored the exhibition’s four components, beginning with the Banners, which provide basic information and understanding of postnormal time theory: chaos, complexity, contradictions, uncertainties, and ignorance.

They then proceeded to the second section of the exhibition, the Timeline, which consists of four iPads mounted on two monoliths containing approximately 40 artefacts that continuously rotate, with each iPad representing a period of classic, modern, postmodern, and postnormal.

Artefacts such as truth, meaning, identity, science, and medicine are defined for each period in an entertaining and informative manner.

The journey did not end there. Students encountered the third: Menagerie of Postnormal Potentialities, where the notions of Black Elephants, Black Swans, and Black Jellyfish are described and illustrated on the sides of the monoliths; black jellyfish hung from the ceiling, contrasted against wires.

The students then explored the exhibition’s last section, the PNT Game, which was set up on a hexagonal table with three types of Hex Cards representing PNT concepts, values, and emerging issues.

Students are asked to choose an emerging issue, such as artificial moral agents, DNA editing, or weaponised code, and suggest a value that could help them navigate its potential challenges and consequences, as well as determine whether their chosen issue is a Black Elephant, a Black Swan, or a Black Jellyfish.

All students are asked to share thoughts and explain why they have picked an emerging issue and a certain value, which can be written down on an iPad and displayed on a huge screen as ‘Stories from the Future’, allowing other visitors to see what others have chosen and written.

Encouraged to think critically, students learned to bridge the gap between theory and real-world problems with the interactive exhibits that generated lively debates, transforming the room into a bustling hub of diverse perspectives.

“This trip was not simply about knowledge. It was about transformation,” said Ms Iman added that “Connecting with Jordan’s expertise helped students grow not only intellectually, but also as responsible persons committed to ethical leadership and a sustainable future.”

Mr Muhammad Danish explained that when students returned to APU, they had a fresh respect for the ever-changing world and a strong determination to actively contribute to Malaysia’s future.

“All students found the Post-Normal Exhibition enriching, expanding their awareness of pressing issues such as poverty, war, climate change, and politics unfolding before them.”

“The exhibition ripped away the blinders and was worth our time, because of the experience it provided,” said Business Administration student, Rania Fathma Sarjis.

Information & Communication Technology student, Yew Choon Yuen agreed: “The exhibition was a real wake-up call,” she admitted.

“The way they presented the information, including the tunnel of raw realities about global challenges and the interactive gene-editing slider, amazed me. This is a 10/10 must-see for anyone interested in AI’s potential.”

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Accounting student, Muhammad Bazli Zamri took a broader perspective. “Sure, there was genome editing, global warming, and AI ― not exactly accounting basics,” he chuckled.

“But new knowledge is valuable no matter the field. We hear about these issues constantly, but the exhibition made me realise the impact they will have on our future.

“As future leaders, it is crucial to understand these challenges and brainstorm solutions. Huge thanks to our lecturers for opening our eyes to such important events.”

The Postnormal Times MADANI Exhibition was more than simply an art show; it was a call to action for the next generation of changemakers!