Artistic Freedom Report Malaysia: Negotiating Sensitivities
The key findings and analysis of artistic freedom in Malaysia from the Southeast Asian Arts Censorship Database Project, 2010 – 2022.
Malaysia
A bangsawan guru, a graffiti artist and an anthropologist who composed iconic rock songs
Mira Sharon remembers the artists and cultural workers from Malaysia we lost in 2022.
Building Practice: Arts Spaces in Malaysia
The arts ecosystems in many parts of Southeast Asia are under-resourced. In this environment, independent arts spaces provide invaluable opportunities and support to the wider community. Deborah Augustin interviews the people behind four arts spaces in Malaysia to learn more about their work and how they have survived in an evolving landscape.
Memori Menonton “Two Lines In a Square”: Penjara Bahasa dan Sang Tahanan Bebas Separa
Azrin Fauzi mengulas “Two Lines in A Square”, persembahan yang dilancar di Taipei dan Kuala Lumpur dari dua perspektif berbeza.
Wong Phui Nam (1935-2022), Prophet of Malayan Poetry
Daryl Lim pays moving tribute to literary marvel Wong Phui Nam and his legacy in the world of poetry on both sides of the Causeway.
Kuiz: Sejauh Manakah Pengetahuan Anda Tentang Penapisan Seni di Malaysia?
Baik buku yang dilarang mahupun frasa yang tabu, dunia seni kita telah menyaksikan semuanya. Ikuti kuiz kami untuk mengetahui tentang penapisan seni di Malaysia!
Quiz: How Much do you Know About Arts Censorship in Malaysia?
From banned publications to forbidden phrases, the arts has seen it all. Take our quiz, here to learn about arts censorship in Malaysia!
A Response to ‘Every Thought I’ve Ever Had: Contemplating the Origin of the Sun’
Veteran playwright Leow Puay Tin is intrigued by the methods used by a trio of young performance makers to sustain a 12-hour performance.
Parastoo Theatre: Art, Refuge, Action
The pioneering theatre company, founded and run by Afghan theatre maker and refugee, Saleh Sepas, is creating a practice that enriches the cultural landscape for all Malaysians.
Ilham Art Show 2022: An Introspection Into What Was
From technological frustrations to climate catastrophes to queer representation, the Ilham Art Show has it all. Mira Sharon untangles the pieces which prize on the themes of family, love and loss.
“Spilt Gravy Ke Mana Tumpahnya Kuah” Makes Us Consider Time, History and the Prickly Question of Family
After years of waiting, Spilt Gravy Ke Mana Tumpahnya Kuah hits the screens in Malaysia on 9th June. We speak to Datuk Zahim Albakri (director/co-screenwriter) and June Tan (co-screenwriter) on what it took for the film, adapted from a play, to reach this moment. One privilege of being an artist is the experience of creating …
5 Advertisements That Are So Southeast Asian
Some advertisements are works of art. These contain well-told stories, interesting characters, and meaningful insights, while making a marketing message go down that much more smoothly. Mira Sharon recommends 5 advertisements you can watch to learn more about what makes us Southeast Asians tick. To tell stories is a beautiful act, and advertisements are an …
The performing arts industry of Malaysia is drowning
As many parts of Southeast Asia are hit by recurrent waves of Covid 19 infections, arts industries across the region face imminent collapse due to prolonged closures and scant state support. In Malaysia, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s Artistic Director Joe Hasham and his wife and co-founder, Datuk Dr. Faridah Merican, recently released an …
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Transcultural Lullabies: Rohingya and Malay folksongs
Rohingya poet Mayyu Ali and Malaysian artist Sharon Chin collaborate in this meaningful project that looks at Rohingya and Malay lullabies and folksongs. The pairings of songs, which are narrated and sung orally, are further unified with a patterned artwork by Sharon Chin, which for Sharon acts as “one small bridge for the immeasurable distance …
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Weekly Southeast Asia Radar: Hallyu love and cementing disaster
ArtsEquator’s Southeast Asia Radar features articles and posts about arts and culture in Southeast Asia, 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. In the weekly Southeast Asia Radar, we publish a round-up of content that …
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Discovering and Re-discovering Kluang: The INXO International Residency Programme
By Akanksha Raja (1,493 words, 6-minute read) It’s almost 4pm as the KTM train I’m travelling on trudges to a slow halt at the railway station in Kluang, Johor. The first thing that catches my eye is Kluang Rail Coffee, right in the middle of the station, one of the town’s most famous – and …
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Weekly Picks: Malaysia (29 Apr – 5 May 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Pesta Playlet, at KongsiKL, 3–4 May This non-profit and artist-run festival offers two days of workshops, forums, performances, found object exhibition and more. For the second day, events begin at 10am. Of note, the 6pm forum Malaysiana: On Creation, Criticism and The Performative …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (22-28 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Kandang, at klpac, 25–28 Apr This award-winning Malay language theatre adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm returns to the stage. This production is directed by Omar Ali, who also co-adapted the play. Performed in Malay with English surtitles. Tickets are RM60 (RM50 TAS and RM40 …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (15-21 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. WHEN WE WERE, at Lot’ng Arts Space, 18–21 Apr Fresh from Theatresauce’s second season of Emerging Directors Lab, When We Were presents a quadruple bill of short plays exploring conversations — silent and aloud — with our memories. Plays include Whatever That is by Huzir …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (8-14 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Soun(d)ance 22, at RAW Art Space, 8 Apr, 8:30pm This monthly series combines improvised dance and music performances. In this edition, dancers Paula Castañón (Spain) and Lim Pei Ern will play with musicians Loke Xiaoyun (voice) and Chung Ping Wei (saxophone). Admission by …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (1-7 Apr 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. MAP Fest 2019, at Publika, 30 Mar – 14 Apr This 9th annual arts and cultural festival takes place over 3 weekends in Publika, with a variety of arts and cultural activities. Of note in the second week are the music performances. Bookmark Music …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (25–31 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. TJIS Vol. 26: The Pre-Poetry Month Party, at InTun Nation, 28 Mar, 8pm The Jack-It Series ramps up events for the coming poetry month with a pre-celebration. The featured act of the day is spoken word poet Chloe Ling. Opening act is rapper MC …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (18–24 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. New Crack! The Doctor’s Hour, at Crackhouse Comedy Club KL, 18–19 Mar, 9–11pm A series for comedy veterans to test out their new material. This week, Dr Jason Leong will be trying out material for his upcoming 1-hour special. Tickets are RM10 …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (11–17 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Finding Cik Siti Wan Kembang, at The Zhongshan Building, 14 Mar, 8–10pm In the legend of Kelantan, there are two warrior queens by the name of Cik Siti Wan Kembang who played important roles in the state’s history. Rusaslina Idrus presents a lecture …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (4–10 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Hari Kraf Kebangsaan 2019, at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, 28 Feb – 11 Mar, 10am–10pm The annual national craft festival returns this year, with a wide selection of goods. Sections include woven goods (vast selection from Borneo), knives, textiles, batik, sculptures, metalwork …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (25 Feb – 3 Mar 2019)
For events in Penang this week, go to the Penang Free Sheet. Kami Pun Ada Hak Bersekolah: Wanita Orang Asli Bersuara book launch, at University of Malaya Art Gallery (Level 5), 26 Feb, 2–4pm The launch of Kami Pun Ada Hak Bersekolah: Wanita Orang Asli Bersuara (We Have The Right To Education: Orang Asli Women …
Weekly Picks: Malaysia (18–24 Feb 2019)
#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 (11–17 Feb 2019)
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 (4–10 Feb 2019)
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 (28 Jan –3 Feb 2019)
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 …