Weekly Picks: Malaysia (30 July – 5 Aug 2018)


The New Play Project: Book One, at klpac, 1–5 Aug

Four staged readings from a project that focuses on storytelling by four KL writers; Ridhwan Saidi, Adiwijaya Iskandar, Juno Hoay-Fern Ooi and Terence Toh. There will be Q&A opportunities after the show. This project is facilitated by director Tung Jit Yang and the writers have worked with the likes of Nam Ron, Haresh Sharma and Jo Kukathas.There are only 1–2 shows per play, so just choose the date that works for you. Entry by minimum donation of RM15 or above (book your seat here).

More info here.

Against the Day: A Drawing Exhibition, at OUR ArtProjects, 3 Aug – 1 Sept

An exhibition in response to the recent change in government, that investigates how drawing can offer insights into the changing social landscape. Malaysian artists in this show are Chong Siew Ying, Gan Sze Hooi, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Kow Leong Kiang, Minstrel Kuik and Nirmala Dutt.

Exhibition opening is 2 Aug 7–9pm, refreshments will be served (RSVP contact@ourartprojects.com).

More info here.

It’s About Art, at Playspace LIVE, 4 Aug 8pm

Rock band Volatile! Will be launching their second album ‘It’s About Art’. Supporting acts for the night include Alien Lipstick Fire, Brendan de Cruz and Nadir! The band is high-energy and always a riot to watch live. Comedian Prakash Daniel will be hosting the show.

More info here.

Selangor International Indigenous Art Festival 2018, Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, 4–5 Aug

An annual festival in conjunction with World Indigenous People Celebration, it’s worth a trip out to Shah Alam to watch the cultural performances from indigenous tribes, experience food tastings of traditional cuisines*, speak to the people at various booths, and purchase plenty of handmade items.

*From previous experience, it’s better to arrive on the first day, as not all items may be available on the second day, especially the traditional food.

More info here.

Unbeatable 无懈可击 — K5 HANDS International Drumming Festival 2018, at klpac, 2–5 Aug

It’s the return of HANDS Percussion’s big international drumming festival, featuring percussions, music and culture from around the world. This year’s international musicians include Australia’s Ben Walsh (popular for his fusion style), Korea’s traditionally modern U-HEE Company, and Uzbekistan’s Abbos Kosimov (doyra and percussion master). On the Malaysian front, HANDS will be performing alongside DHOL Alliance and Prakash Kandasamy (Temple of Fine Arts).

Ticket prices begin atRM108. More info here.

I’m Here Where You Are, Space.Toccata, 4 Aug, 4pm

The performance is designed to be interactive. Performer-artist, and audience-participants (singular and collective) are conceptualised as separate planes of existence. These planes interact through activities devised by the artist. Derived from interactive music performance Mobile Phone Orchestra (MPO), this performance requires the audience to participate in a quest-like journey using their mobile phones as tools. This seems like the mobile evolution of MPO; before, the audience was only required to play pre-recorded music on their phones.

Admission by minimum donation RM20. More info here.

4 August 2018, at A+ Works of Art, 4 Aug 7pm

Three events in one night!

7PM: Artist James Jack presents Pathways of Lands and Sea, a talk about his artistic practice, findings and recent works, which consists of narratives of his explorations in Asia, from Japan to Singapore.
8PM: Author Faisal Tehrani will be speaking on Resah Politik Budaya Malaysia – Dari Mana Hendak Ke Mana?. Moderated by Zikri Rahman, of Malaysia Muda collective.
9PM: Launch of Studio Tikus’ KLB zine, composed of sketches and drawings by five artists. KLB = Komik Luar Biasa or Kumpulan Lukiskan Buruk (Extraordinary Comics or Bad Painting Group). Studio Tikus has plans to turn the zines into a monthly series — KLB is the first edition.

More info here.


Art and Money, Money, Money: The Economics of Art and the Culture of Patronage, at Malaysia Design Archive, 5 Aug, 5pm

Arts manager and educator Sunitha Janamohanan wants to know what our bottom line is and where we draw it. Come to this event for an overview of culture and the economy, who pays for the arts, and why they should invest in it. Let’s also discuss arts patronage in our ‘Malaysia Baru’ — have things actually changed? Should art take a back seat? Are we still stuck with old systems, and if so, who is responsible?

Presentation starts at 5 PM. Snacks and drinks from 4:30 PM onwards. More info here.

Image: Farrukh Beg — Freer Sackler Gallery S1986.230, Public Domain

Note: All information is correct at the time of publication. Please confirm directly with the organisers/event websites. ArtsEquator is not responsible for any changes to the schedule of events. If you have an event you’d like us to highlight, please email events[at]artsequator.com.

Tags: Malaysia

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