A publicity image from Khir Johari's book 'The Food Of Singapore Malays : Gastronomic Travels Through The Archipelago'. The award-winning Singaporean author is part of the 'Culinary Arts' edition of the BookStreet series at Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya this weekend. Photo: Handout
COMMUNITY EVENT: 'CULINARY ARTS' AT BOOKSTREET
Venue: Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya
Date: Sept 2-3
Calling all book lovers and foodies! This weekend, Amcorp Mall's BookStreet series is presenting its "Culinary Arts" edition. A line-up of 15 vendors has been sorted for pocket exhibitions, cooking demo, food tasting and "meet-the-author" / book signing sessions.
The line-up of special guests invited for this event include Singaporean author Khir Johari of the award-winning book The Food Of Singapore Malays, Datin Kalsom Taib and Hamidah Hamid, authors of the book Recipes Are For Sharing, who will also conduct a cooking demo and food tasting session. For those into Terengganu food heritage, Rosita Abdullah Lau will also have a book signing session for her acclaimed book Kulit Manis.
"Immerse yourself in a world of creativity, inspiration, and cultural diversity," reads the event notes. As with any Bookstreet community event, there will be a pop-up book market - new and used titles. Visitors can discover a treasure trove of books that celebrate the art of cooking, from age-old cookery books, old-time recipes, captivating paintings of food to inspiring modern-day recipes.
Not to forget, the pop-up coffee stalls on hand to keep the event and conversations chugging along nicely. Free admission event (10am-8pm).
More info here.
The diverse line-up of actors ready to meet the masses in this weekend's 'Life Sdn Bhd: What It Means To Be Malaysian?' theatre series at KLPac. Photo: Chan Kien Ming and leggoshoot
THEATRE: LIFE SDN BHD: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MALAYSIAN?
Venue: Indicine, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac)
Date: Sept 1-3
Get into the spirit of Merdeka and Malaysia Day with Life Sdn Bhd: What It Means To Be Malaysian? by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat.
Directed by Datuk Faridah Merican, this latest offering of the Life Sdn Bhd series premiered earlier this month at the two-day Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival, featuring Xavier Chen Wen Xuan, Tin Raman, Melor, Mark Beau de Silva, Shamaine Othman and Li Yang.
From a playwright and educator to a stand-up comedian, an actor to a social media strategist, the six storytellers offer a no-holds-barred take on what it means to be an Anak Malaysia that is hilarious at times and poignant at others. It is a unique celebration of Malaysia as we know it, not a picture-perfect “Visit Malaysia” ad, but one that is endearing and real.
A recent Facebook survey on KLPac’s page asked its followers the same question, revealing honest and witty responses, from the expected food-related answers (“warm steamy nasi lemak”) to patriotic bangers (“knowing how to sing most of the classic patriotic songs, like Keranamu Malaysia”) to the... er, uniquely Malaysian (“enjoy more public holidays compared to most countries”).
Who knows – you may also discover what Malaysia means to you.
More info here.
An artwork from Liew Kung Yu titled 'HM, How Now_” (Kuan Yik Kerk Chinese Temple, Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor). Photo: Cult Gallery
EXHIBITION: REALPOLITIK
Venue: CULT Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Sept 16
Taking place between the critical dates of Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day, Realpolitik is a group exhibition documenting the various responses of Malaysian artists in how they perceive our current political reality.
In the show, 27 Malaysian artists have detailed their thoughts and represented the pulse of our current political climate through relatable and thought-provoking pieces, including Ahmad Shukri Mohamed, Jailani Abu Hassan, Haslin Ismail, Chang Yoong Chia, Faizal Suhif, Sharon Chin, Syahnan Anuar, Poojitha Menon, Wong Ming Hao, Zulkifli Lee, Stephen Menon and Trina Teoh.
The show aims to nudge, prod and provoke into making visual art as a layer of socio-political commentary normal again, and not as an exception to the rule.
“Realpolitik is not just what is being said and done, but it is also about what is not being said or done, in the name of practical politics," says Amar Shahid, who curated the exhibition.
More info here.
A gallery view of artist Kide Baharudin's new exhibition 'Kulu Kilir' at Galeri Puteh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Chan Tak Kong
EXHIBITION: KIDE BAHARUDIN'S 'KULU KILIR'
Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City
Date: ends Sept 10
Marvel over the colours and intricacies of artist Kide Baharudin’s pieces in his second solo exhibition, Kulu Kilir.
Comprising over 50 works, Kulu Kilir (taken from Negri Sembilan slang that shortens the phrase "ke hulu, ke hilir", meaning to wander around) is mainly inspired by Kide’s walks around Seremban, where he is based, and Kuala Pilah, his hometown.
The acrylic paintings and handful of sculptures depict modern slice-of-life scenes familiar to most Malaysians, such as buzzing town centres filled with people trying to eke out a living, the neon lights and dark shadows of local nightlife and the mundane chaos of a government office, as seen through Kide’s eyes and imagination.
“What I want to convey in this solo is my spontaneous response or reaction to society and everything around me in my travels around Malaysia and abroad,” says Kide in this artist’s statement.
You'll also get to see several paintings and sketches based on his recent international travels to Tokyo, Osaka, Berlin, Leipzig, Amsterdam and London.
More info here.
Directed by Tung Jit Yang, 'Sisyphus No. 9' features multidisciplinary performing and fine artist Liew Chee Heai. Photo: Theatresauce
THEATRE: 'SISYPHUS NO. 9'
Venue: Sunway Rooftop Theatre, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya
Date: Sept 6-10
Here's a show to pen down in your schedule for next week. Theatresauce is pulling out all the stops to make its next production Sisyphus No. 9 an experimental-minded show to remember.
Directed by Tung Jit Yang, Sisyphus No. 9 features multidisciplinary performing and fine artist Liew Chee Heai, and the duo of Francoe with live ambient music. Bryan Chang production designs.
It is a work inspired by two stories - the myth of Sisyphus, punished by the gods to eternally roll a boulder up a hill to only have it roll down once more for him to start all over again; and the story of Ludwig van Beethoven, at this juncture at near total deafness, composing, and eventually conducting his 9th Symphony in Vienna, Austria.
It explores the absurdity/meaning of life through repetitions and visceral movements, accompanied by live ambient music.
Sisyphus No. 9 is also Theatresauce's 2023 season closer.
More info here.
A vintage children's book exhibit seen at the 'Malaysia Children's Picture Books 1930s To 2000s' exhibition. Photo: Museum of Picture Book Art
EXHIBITION: MALAYSIA CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS 1930s TO 2000s
Venue: The Museum of Picture Book Art, GMBB Mall, KL
Date: ends Sept 30
Here's a chance to walk down memory lane through the covers and pages of old Malayan and Malaysian children's books.
This mini exhibition, presenting children’s books from as early as the 1930s all the way to the 2020s, also features the beautiful and poignant illustrations of Nora Hamerton, a British illustrator who settled down in Malaya and helped illustrate some of the earliest local children's books.
The illustrations in these books are among the highlights of this (free admission) exhibition, as they take us back to the past through depictions of local life and culture.
How did we live in the past, what were the values that were important to us, who were the people portrayed in the books, what were the city or kampung scenes that have changed or remained? These are some of the questions we can find answers to in this fascinating exhibition and guided tour.
More info here.
Azzah Sultan seen at her 'Dah Makan Kah?' solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
EXHIBITION: AZZAH SULTAN'S 'DAH MAKAN KAH?'
VENUE: RISSIM CONTEMPORARY, KUALA LUMPUR
Date: ends Sept 10
Malaysian artist Azzah Sultan, who is based in New York, is back in town for her solo exhibition Dah Makan Kah? at Rissim Contemporary in Bangsar.
Viewers can look out for a heartfelt series of new works from this talented artist, who has also exhibited in shows in the United States. Oil painting and batik fabric techniques are the mediums used in the Dah Makan Kah? exhibition, Azzah's first solo in Malaysia.
Throughout the show, Azzah delves into the nuanced realm of family dynamics as revealed through culinary traditions; taking us through the process of acquiring ingredients from local markets, preparing food, and the act of sharing a meal, while drawing our attention to the colours, textures, and shapes involved.
This deeply rooted tradition acts as a symbol for Asian family dynamics, as well as Azzah’s personal meditation on her identity and heritage.
More info here.
Visitors take photos of a 'Star Wars' wayang kulit exhibit at the 'Gerak Bayang: Seni Penceritaan' show at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: GERAK BAYANG: SENI PENCERITAAN
Venue: Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, KL
Date: ends Jan 28, 2024
Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery’s new exhibition Gerak Bayang: Seni Penceritaan is putting the 'shadowy' art of wayang kulit in the spotlight.
It features a total of 144 artworks, including wayang kulit (shadow puppets) instruments, paintings, sculptures, and new media.
In the gallery, there is a lot to explore with diverse artworks from 39 Malaysian artists, including familiar names such as Long Thien Shih, Nik Zainal Abidin, Ismail Mat Hussin, Nik Husyaidie, Haris Abadi and Adeputra.
The artworks feature various mediums, such as buffalo or cow hides, paper and canvas and new media. The exhibition, which is open to the public for free, will also include workshops, talks, puppet-making workshops and wayang kulit performances.
More info here.
