#WomensMarchMY Festival, at Ruang by ThinkCity, 24 Feb, 11am–6pm This festival provides a series of events to deepen collective understand for this year’s five #WomensMarchMY demands, and the diverse experience of women and marginalised groups. Programme includes a plenary discussion on the power of rallying, and film screening of Anarchist from The Colony (followed by […]
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (18–24 Feb 2019) Read More »
ArtsEquator Radar features articles and posts drawn from local and regional websites and publications – aggregated content from outside sources, so we are exposed to a multitude of voices in the region. Here’s a round-up of content from this week, scoured and sifted from a range of regional news websites, blogs and media platforms, and
I love plays with Malay women characters. Call it my Malaysian Bumiputera baggage, call it internalised Orientalism – perhaps these are two sides of the same coin – but I have long relished the wit, feistiness, vulnerability and sensuality of Malay women captured in the growing canon of Malaysian and Singaporean plays in English and
“Inside Voices”: There’s Something About Malay Women Read More »
Jazz It Up For Charity, at ALOFT KL Sentral, 16 Feb, 7pm A night of entertainment, with singers Elvira Arul, Sean Ghazi, Datuk Yusni Hamid, and Malaysian beauty pageant queen Sanjna Suri. This fundraiser is for two vital spaces run by SEED Malaysia; a drop-in center in Chow Kit and SEED Malaysia T-Home, which provide support
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (11–17 Feb 2019) Read More »
Puja Pantai Festival 2019, at Mah Meri Cultural Village, 9 Feb, 10am–3pm Puja Pantai is an ancient Mah Meri ritual, and members of the public are invited to witness it. The ritual is believed to appease sea spirits and honour protector spirits. Visitors will also get to enjoy lunch before the ritual. Fee is RM80
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (4–10 Feb 2019) Read More »
ArtsEquator Radar features articles and posts drawn from local and regional websites and publications – aggregated content from outside sources, so we are exposed to a multitude of voices in the region. Here’s a round-up of content from this week, scoured and sifted from a range of regional news websites, blogs and media platforms, and
Weekly S.E.A. Radar: Digital Public Art in Hanoi, A Mobile Library in rural Cambodia Read More »
CounterCartographies Reading — Escobar’s Encountering Development, at Malaysia Design Archive, An initiative to understand visual culture in relation to the politics of space, this monthly group tackles Chapter 2 of Arturo Escobar’s ‘Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World’. The chapter is titled ‘The Problematization of Poverty: The Tale of Three Worlds
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (28 Jan –3 Feb 2019) Read More »
ArtsEquator Radar features articles and posts drawn from local and regional websites and publications – aggregated content from outside sources, so we are exposed to a multitude of voices in the region. Here’s our first weekly round-up of content, scoured and sifted from a range of regional news websites, blogs and media platforms, and brought together
Improvised music night, at RAW Art Space, 22 Jan, 8:30pm A night of improvised music with performers from Germany, Japan, Denmark and Malaysia. Music merchandise will also be available for purchase. Admission by suggested donation RM20 (students RM15). More info here. In/Out, at klpac, 24–27 Jan What is it like to be included, and
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (21–27 Jan 2019) Read More »
Nadir, at No Black Tie, 17 Jan, 9pm Nadir is a band with a diverse lineup, and their music is a big, fun sound that loosely blends rock, jazz and world music with a wide range of local influences. They are best known for their take on Malaysian nursery rhyme Ikan Kekek. Admission fee RM53 (RM43
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (14–20 Jan 2019) Read More »
Established in 1995, the Tokyo Performing Arts Market (TPAM) was created to be a platform to network Japanese artists with producers and funders. 24 years later, TPAM has expanded in scope and purpose, to include live performance, panel discussions and symposiums. In 2011 it moved to the City of Yokohama, and was renamed the Performing
ArtsEquator’s Top 10 Picks at the Performing Arts Meeting 2019 Read More »
Merdekarya 6th Anniversary, at Merdekarya, 12 Jan, doors open 6pm This institution for indie music is celebrating its six anniversary with a whole host of performances, no cover charge, and free tuak mixes (until 8pm). Come for the party, stay for the music, bring your friends. More info here. SounDance 19, at RAW
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (7–13 Jan 2019) Read More »
Before we plunge headlong into 2019, here’s a quick recap of some of our most-read articles on ArtsEquator, in ascending order. 10. Nathalie Johnston: Creating a home for contemporary art in Myanmar by Victoria Milko As part of ArtsEquator’s series covering independent spaces across Southeast Asia, Victoria Milko profiles Nathalie Johnston, founder of contemporary art space Myanm/art in Yangon.
ArtsEquator’s Top 10 Articles of 2018 Read More »
Malam Sayu Berpuisi: #NewYearNewMe, at klpac, 31 Dec, 8:30pm A night of poetry beneath the banyan tree. No sound systems available, and the performance takes place outdoors, so be prepared for the weather (umbrella, sensible shoes, mosquito repellant, excellent hearing). This edition celebrate’s the wave of resolutions coming in the new year with the theme
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (31 Dec 2018–6 Jan 2019) Read More »
Tales of Apocalypse Exhibition by Latif Maulan, at Galeri Titikmerah, 22–31 Dec An exhibition of recent artworks by contemporary self-taught artist Latif Maulan, in the artist-run space Galeri Titikmerah in Publika. A selection of 9 paintings of drenched portrait subjects. Admission is free. More info here. Artist website here. Migration: A Shared Life, at
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (24–30 Dec 2018) Read More »
Mishaps & Mistletoe, at Intunnation, 18 Dec, 8pm Time for some poetry and music with open mic series Jack It, featuring Singaporean spoken word performer Stephanie Dogfoot, and queer band Tingtongketz. Jack It invites all for a premature Christmas celebration of kisses and disses. More info here. Dancing Forward 6: A Round Table for
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (17–23 Dec 2018) Read More »
Paranormal, at RAW Art Space, 11 Dec, 8:30pm Award-winning musician Ng Chor Guan performs with Paranormal String Quartet from Germany. The night will showcase repertoire pieces by Paranormal String Quartet, which explores unique soundscapes of classic, jazz and contemporary; and Toccata Studio’s 20:20:Timescaper, a conceptual work of a journeying individual. Admission by minimum donation of
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (10–16 Dec 2018) Read More »
Meeting in Mauritius until 1 December, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed eleven elements from the Asia-Pacific region on the Lists of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Among them, two elements have been added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding while nine elements from
The Edge, at Lot’ng, 8–23 Dec This is a beautiful locally produced musical that explores the relationships and past of a man standing on the edge. Absolutely worth the watch, this award-winning show is now in its tenth anniversary and should not be missed. Seats are limited in this venue, so get your seats booked
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (3–9 Dec 2018) Read More »
Click here to read this article in Malay. Klik di sini untuk baca rencana ini dalam Bahasa Melayu. It is rare to see social or political criticism delivered boldly and directly in Malaysian films. Even critical commentary, cloaked creatively, is difficult to do. There are many things that constrain creative freedom, not least the multiple legislations and regulations that bind the
“One Two Jaga”: The New Bravery of Malaysian Cinema Read More »
Symposium – How Easily Modernism Could Be Disturbed, at ILHAM Gallery, 1 Dec, 10am–6:30pm A symposium in conjunction with the Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960–1969) exhibition in the gallery. The entire programme looks interesting — conversations included discussions between writer Pauline Fan and ILHAM Gallery director Rahel Joseph; writer Goenawan Mohamad and art critic Lee Wheng
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (26 Nov – 2 Dec 2018) Read More »
By Kathy Rowland (910 words, five-minute read) Joe Sidek will not be cowed. “Everyone thinks I’m down and depressed. I’m fine!” It’s been a challenging year for the founder of the George Town Festival. In the foreground: the removal and public backlash following the censorship of Moorayameen Mohamad’s photo exhibition, Stripes and Strokes, at this
Joe Sidek: “I’ve never felt more strong” Read More »
KLEX 2018: Translucence, at various locations, 22–25 Nov An independent artist-run grassroots international festival of experimental film, video art and music. It’s a good introduction to contemporary experimental cinema and regional creative works. Admission is free for the lectures, and by suggested donations for performances (RM10 film, RM30 music at RAW Art Space, RM90 music
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (19–25 Nov 2018) Read More »
THE fact that arts and culture has the lowest priority in government planning was borne out by Budget 2019. Except for the RM30mil allocation for the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, there is no specific allocation for the creative industries of arts and culture to revitalise traditional arts and
Budget leaves arts and culture out in the cold (via The Star) Read More »
Bisikan Monsoon — Open Rehearsal, at Selangor & KL Kwang Tung Association, 13 Nov, 5:30pm An invitation to view the rehearsals for Kwang Tung Dance Company’s Bisikan Monsoon (the show is travelling to China later in the month). This opportunity is only open to 10 participants, and registration is required by Monday 12 Nov, with
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (12–18 Nov 2018) Read More »
In the performance room of Penang House of Music, a museum dedicated to the musical history of this Unesco-listed Malaysian island, a crowd claps excitedly. They are cheering the group of young performers who get up from behind the stage, fatigued and sweaty, holding colourful puppets high above their heads. Their performance tells the story
Ombak Potehi: the Malaysian group reviving traditional Hokkien puppetry (via SEA Globe) Read More »
IF WALLS COULD TALK vol.55, at The Gaslight Cafe, 8 Nov, 8pm The ever-popular Walls returns with its open mic for spoken word, and featured acts. This chapter features fresh indie band Senja, and writer Zedeck Siew with artist Sharon Chin, who have recently published an illustrated book, Creatures of Near Kingdoms. Cover charge
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (5– 11 Nov 2018) Read More »
Man Bai, at No Black Tie, 30 Oct, 9pm The award-winning singer songwriter Man Bai is best known for his hit single and karaoke staple, Kau Ilhamku. He also has three solo albums. Man Bai will be doing a one night performance in NBT with a special guest appearance by ‘Malaysian Godfather of Rock’ Rahim
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (29 Oct – 4 Nov 2018) Read More »
The 11th International Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival 2018, at Publika, 22–28 Oct This annual environmental film festival has been here since 2008, and grown over the years in breadth. It tackles a whole host of critical environmental issues, including wildlife protection, pollution, indigenous rights, sustainability and more. This year, KLEFF offers more than 99
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (22–28 October 2018) Read More »
With Malaysia Day just around the corner, there is a lot of conversation happening about East Malaysia. But why do Sabah and Sarawak mostly come to our minds only when it is time to celebrate Malaysia Day? The arts and culture industries, too, are not exempt from being problematic with issues like inclusion and representation
[Podcast] Arts Apart: Where Are Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysian Arts? (via BFM) Read More »
