Cerpan-Cerpen: New Works, at OUR ArtProjects, 11 Oct – 3 Nov. Jalaini Abu Hassan, better known as Jai, needs little introduction in Malaysia’s visual arts scene. This solo exhibition by Jai has a loosely-interconnected series featuring mundane scenes of life in KL and Taiping. A reflection of belonging, homeland, and the past through an intimate […]
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (8–14 October 2018) Read More »
If you have ever felt that classical Indian dance is too melodramatic – if you have ever rolled your eyes at a dancer’s fervid abhinaya, or a poem narrator’s extravagant diction – or if you think all the bright drapery, clashing saris, and coloured lights are unbearably gaudy, then Padmini Chettur’s Varnam is the corrective
Padmini Chettur’s “Varnam” and Pichet Klunchun’s “I Am A Demon”: An Instructive Contrast Read More »
Lopung Is Dead! – Pangrok Sulap’s Inaugural Solo Exhibition, at A+ Works of Art, 4–27 Oct Artist collective Pangrok Sulap’s first solo exhibition comprises recent and ongoing work. Expect woodcut print works with a DIY punk aesthetic and confrontations with socio-political issues — especially those pertaining to marginalised communities in Sabah. Their work Sabah Tanah
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (1–7 October 2018) Read More »
By Akanksha Raja (960 words, four-minute read) Prior to stepping into the mystifying world of The Misinterpreted Futures of George Town 2068, I was curious and fascinated by that science-fictioney title, coupled with the exciting premise of a performance with no performers: the technical elements of the show (lights, sound design, video projections) perform in
“The Misinterpreted Futures of George Town 2068”: Missing Futures Read More »
Duration: 32 min In this month’s dance podcast, host Amin Farid chats with Malaysian dance practitioner and writer Bilqis Hijjas on wide-ranging topics from her roles as president of MyDance Alliance and director of the dance programme Rimbun Dahan, to her thoughts on the dance scene in Malaysia, dance criticism, the Southeast Asian identity, and some emerging choreographers and
Podcast 48: Interview with Bilqis Hijjas Read More »
It’s a Saturday afternoon at a major bookstore in the Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur. A small crowd has gathered for a session with Malaysian cartoonist Zunar. Zunar, looking dapper in a black jacket, is candid as he speaks. His jokes elicit a lot of heavy laughter. “If you look at my books now, they
Cartoonist Zunar on his sedition charges & fight for political reform (via Star2) Read More »
I AM A DEMON | Varnam – Edit, at DPAC, 28–29 Sept, 8pm This double bill of Pichet Klunchun’s “I Am A Demon” (solo performance) and Padmini Chettur’s “Varnam – Edit” (two-hander) are part of Jejak Tabi Exchange 2018. “I Am A Demon” commemorates the 3-year death anniversary of the choreographer’s dance master. “Varnam – Edit” is
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (24 – 30 Sept 2018) Read More »
On the closing weekend of the George Town Festival, ArtsEquator interviewed Singaporean musician Charlie Lim and indie-electronic music duo .gif who were in Penang to perform at China House, along with other Singaporean musical acts including Tabitha Nauser and Yung Raja. The artistes were in George Town as part of Connexions: Passion Made Possible, a
AExGTF Chats: Charlie Lim and .gif in George Town Read More »
The Sight/Unseen Asian Drama Conference was a two-day event on 26 – 27 April 2018 at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Tara Arts. Billed as an event to “tackle challenging issues facing playwrights in the UK and in Southeast Asia,” participants came all geared up to discuss issues ranging from minority representation to taboo subjects
On Taboos, Touring and Cultural Representation: Sight/Unseen Asian Drama Conference Read More »
By Akanksha Raja (830 words, four minute read) Before entering the performance space on the first floor lobby of The Whiteaways Arcade where 7Voices 2.0 takes place, my friend Denise and I are approached by two young “inspectors” demanding documentary proof that we were children. After I display on my phone an old photograph of
“7Voices 2.0” by Yayasan Chow Kit and Dramalab at George Town Festival 2018 Read More »
PAN Productions presents Popgiler, at No Black Tie, 19–20 Sept, 9pm A night of pop songs throughout the years, in the best jazz bar in town, with performances by award-winning vocal powerhouses Dina Nadzir, Elvira Arul, and Lynn Tan. The show is directed by Nell Ng, with musical direction by Dennis Law. Admission is RM70.
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (17 – 23 Sept 2018) Read More »
Faye Lim dances, facilitates, performs, improvises, makes, and mothers. In Singapore, she presents works with the Strangeweather Movement Group, a collective she founded to create and perform dance works at off-stage venues around Singapore. As part of Singapore’s Contact Improvisation (CI) community, Faye has also facilitated jams and workshops in Singapore and KL, and she runs child-friendly
Sitting in the ‘gap’: Faye Lim explores body autonomy for children (via Talking Circles) Read More »
From surprise visits to schools, replacing white shoes with black, and referencing the Finnish education system as a possible one to emulate, the new Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik has made waves with his fresh approach. Expectations are running high and the field of arts education is no exception – many are buzzing for the
Getting schooled on the arts (via The Star) Read More »
In the vast firmament of Singaporean-Malaysian art history, no star illuminates as radiantly as T.K. Sabapathy. An art historian by training, Sabapathy initially began his career in the early 1970s by reviewing art and thereafter spent close to half a century doggedly writing art history into being in our corner of the world. Seven years
By Felipe Cervera (1600 words, eight-minute read) Excavations, Interrogations, Krishen Jit & Contemporary Malaysian Theatre, edited by Charlene Rajendran, Ken Takiguchi and Carmen Nge, is a long overdue resource that sheds light on important aspects of the cultural, artistic, and political histories of Malaysian contemporary theatre—and, by extension, some medullar elements of Singaporean theatre too.
Book Review: “Excavations, Interrogations, Krishen Jit & Contemporary Malaysian Theatre” Read More »
Penyampaian kritikan sosial atau politik dalam filem-filem Malaysia jarang berlaku melalui suasana yang berani dan mendatangkan ghairah. Malah mengkritik melalui karya secara berdepan seperti sukar untuk dilakukan. Terdapat banyak hal yang menyumbang kepada keadaan ini. Ia antara lain ialah kekangan kebebasan kreatif yang ketara dan banyak aspek perundangan serta peraturan telah menjadi rantai memasung kaki
“One Two Jaga”: Keberanian Baharu Sinema Malaysia Read More »
BoboKL Presents: Cheryl Tan with Michael Veerapen, at BoboKL, 14–15 Sept, 9:30pm Cheryl Tan is a performer better known across the border in Singapore for her performances in musical theatre productions like Forbidden City and Dick Lee’s Singapopera. See Cheryl perform before she gets pulled back to Singapore again! Admission is RM60++ (RM45++ for diners).
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (10 – 16 Sept 2018) Read More »
The 15th Johor Arts Festival kicked off on 1 September, and runs until 23 September 2018. One of Malaysia’s longest-running festivals, it features a variety of performances, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and activities, ranging between the traditional and contemporary; the loud and the quiet; the lighthearted and hilarious and the moving and poignant. Here are ArtsEquator’s
Johor Arts Festival 2018: Top 8 Picks Read More »
Merdeka State of Mind documentary screenings, at APW, 8 & 9 Sept, 8pm A celebration of freedom of expression in Bangsar, this festival features two nights of timely documentary screenings: the subjects of child brides in Malaysia, and the Orang Asli blockades currently under siege in Kelantan. The director for each film will be
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (3 – 9 Sept 2018) Read More »
By Akanksha Raja (620 words, four-minute read) 拾念劇集 La Cie Maxmind’s Isle of Dreams (蓬萊) was the headlining event for the George Town Festival’s Taiwan-focused showcase this year. It is a three-hour long work of musical theatre, original in story and in language, loosely adapted from the geography and mythology detailed in the Classic of
La Cie Maxmind’s “Isle of Dreams”: The Dark Fantastic Read More »
By Akanksha Raja (620 words, four-minute read) Ombak Potehi is Ombak Ombak Art Studio’s glove puppet theatre group established in 2015, consisting of young people – all under 30 – producing and performing puppet theatre, having been trained by experts from Penang’s Beng Geok Hong Puppet Troupe. To date, they’ve written and produced three works:
Ombak Potehi’s “Kisah Pulau Pinang: The Penang Story”: A Slice of Malayan History Read More »
Potehi puppet theatre is a traditional Hokkien art form brought to Southeast Asia by immigrants from southern China several centuries ago. Despite originally being performed in Hokkien, potehi came to be performed in the different languages of the region, and is practised around Southeast Asia. Ombak Potehi is Ombak-Ombak ARTStudio’s glove puppet theatre group established
AExGTF Chats: Prof Tan Sooi Beng of Ombak Potehi at George Town Festival Read More »
Teh Tarik With The Flag, at Balai Seni Negara, 23 July–17 September. 14 Malaysian artists reflect on our relationship and identity with the Jalur Gemilang flag, and create artwork that reference it. Artists include Anurendra Jegadeva, Chong Kim Chiew, Sulaiman Esa, Hasnul Jamal Saidon and Hayati Mokhtar. More info here. Mud & Mashed Hydrangea
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (27 Aug – 2 Sept 2018) Read More »
Artist-sharing: Hymen Instinct by Sonia Kwek, at Rumah Attap Library & Collective, 22 Aug, 8pm Performer Sonia Kwek, in conversation with her Malaysian collaborator Lucian, will share documentation and a new script of her solo work Hymen Instinct before the performance goes to the Asia Weekend Theatre Festival in Taiwan. The aim is to have an
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (20 – 26 Aug 2018) Read More »
The opening weekend of the George Town Festival 2018 also saw the opening of the Griffith Creative Arts Room at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, Penang: a room dedicated to presenting the works of creative arts from the students and faculty of Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. This is the first time a university has been invited
AExGTF Chats: The Griffith Creative Arts Room at George Town Festival Read More »
By Akanksha Raja (1050 words, four-minute read) George Town Festival is now in its ninth year, and one of the distinctive qualities in every edition is the balance it strikes between presenting international touring works, and Malaysian shows that are rooted in local society and culture. Kelantan – A Living Heritage, the headliner event opening
“Kelantan: A Living Heritage”: Tributing the Traditional Read More »
The SeaShorts Film Festival ran for its second edition as the official pre-festival to the annual George Town Festival from 1st to 5th August in a radical geographical shift away from the Kuala Lumpur home of its parent organisation, Next New Wave. It showcased more than 120 short films scattered over 22 programmes in two
Three Short Films about Women at SeaShorts 2018, George Town Read More »
By Kathy Rowland (1165 words, 5-minute read) Coloured ink on paper. Only a society that polices gender and sexuality can turn ordinary photos into weapons of mass gay conversion. Over the past eight iterations, the George Town Festival (GTF) has built an international name for itself as a gem of a festival – a small,
In George Town, a Proxy War for the Nation Read More »
A white circle 10 metres in diameter greets us on entering the flexible performance space in Loft 29. I stand next to B-boy Erak Mith of Tiny Toones (Phnom Penh, Cambodia). He is locked in eye contact with Aaron Lim of D-City Rockers (Darwin, Australia) directly across the circle and I recognise the calm, unflinching
“Between Tiny Cities (រវាងទីក្រុងតូច)”: De-cyphering Conversation Read More »
Kenapa Tak Tukar Nama, at klpac, 18–19 Aug, 1:30pm This monologue follows Muslim convert Hoe Mei Ying as she navigates the complexity of identity and faith, and tackles a common question: Why have you not changed your name upon conversion? Yiky Chew plays five characters with various takes on the question, and is a performance
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (13 – 19 Aug 2018) Read More »
