Shadow puppets from the 'Peperangan Bintang' series, created by Fusion Wayang Kulit, are seen at the 'Gerak Bayang: The Art Of Storytelling' exhibition at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, which closes this weekend. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
WAYANG KULIT SHOWCASE: 'PEPERANGAN BINTANG'
Venue: Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
Date: Jan 28, 2.30pm
In a galaxy far, far away, characters such as Sangkala Vedeh (Darth Vader), Perantau Langit (Luke Skywalker), Tuan Puteri Lia (Princess Leia) and an army of Hulubalang Empayer (Stormtroopers) fill the kelir (screen) of Malaysia’s oldest form of storytelling. They are part of the Peperangan Bintang universe, created by the Fusion Wayang Kulit outfit.
This Sunday, the masses will be treated to a special showcase and dialogue session (starting 2.30pm) of this captivating fusion of old world tradition and contemporary cultural theatre.
It is also part of the closing day programme of Gerak Bayang: The Art Of Storytelling exhibition at Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, where a cast of Peperangan Bintang shadow puppets can be viewed.
Peperangan Bintang, a live wayang kulit show, will be led by Muhammad Dain Othman (Tok Dain) as the Tok Dalang or narrator of this story. Here's a chance to catch a matinee performance with Tuan Puteri Leia as she confronts the malevolent Shagkala Vedeh in a celestial dance of shadows and light.
Fusion Wayang Kulit is a collaborative project between local arts communities. The initial idea was to revitalise the dying interest in wayang kulit by merging shadow puppetry’s traditional form with modern pop culture to tell stories for a new age.
Participants are encouraged to dress like Star Wars characters for tomorrow's wayang kulit session.
Gerak Bayang: The Art Of Storytelling exhibition, which features two halls brimming with wayang kulit history, art and culture, is also something not to be missed.
More info here.
A view of a film costume exhibit at the 'FullMetal Alchemist' show at Pavilion Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril
EXHIBITION: 'FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST'
Venue: Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends March 24
The Fullmetal Alchemist exhibition, which opened this week in Kuala Lumpur, offers fans a captivating journey into the world of Hiromu Arakawa's iconic anime and manga series. Showcasing original artwork, concept designs, and behind-the-scenes insights, the exhibition immerses visitors in the alchemical universe of the Elric brothers.
The original exhibition of Fullmetal Alchemist previously toured across Japan from 2017 to 2019, paving the way for this touring collaboration, which is the first show outside of Japan.
The exhibition at Pavilion Bukit Jalil features approximately 300 items, including manuscripts from Hiromu's studio and archives. She is both writer and artist for the Fullmetal Alchemist series.
The exhibition not only celebrates the artistry and storytelling of Fullmetal Alchemist but also provides a communal space for fans to share their passion through cosplay (dress up for the exhibition visit!) and exclusive events, making it a must-visit experience for enthusiasts of this beloved franchise.
More info here.
A view of 'The Tokyoiter' exhibition at Temu House in Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Kamarul Ariffin
EXHIBITION: 'THE TOKYOITER' EXHIBITION
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends Feb 4
If you like magazine cover design, this new exhibition at Temu House is right up your alley.
The Tokyoiter exhibition is a vibrant celebration of artistic talent and the unique spirit of Tokyo, encapsulated through a fusion of illustration and storytelling.
This art project – supported by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur – draws inspiration from iconic The New Yorker magazine cover art and The Parisianer, a French tribute version of the magazine.
The Tokyoiter project invites a diverse array of local and international artists to reimagine the city's essence in their own distinctive styles. The exhibition in Malaysia showcases a kaleidoscope of interpretations, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern urban landscapes, whimsical characters, and cultural nuances.
At Temu House, visitors can check out works from 25 artists, including five illustrators from Malaysia, who were picked from an open call last year. The local artists are Cawand Dien, Chew Yuin-Y, Chien Shyan Lee, Sophia Tan and Yean Junn Tseng.
More info here.
A view of the 'Mendonggeng' exhibition at A.P Art Gallery, which features the artworks of Amir Shahlan, Mati, and RB. Photo: A.P Art Gallery
EXHIBITION: 'MENDONGENG': THE ART OF STORYTELLING
Venue: A.P Art Gallery, Taman Melawati, KL
Date: ends Feb 18
Mendongeng can literally translate to storytelling, fairytale, or even the idiom "spinning a yarn". In this exhibition, the artists – Amir Shahlan, Mati, and RB – are the storytellers, weaving narratives through repurposed objects.
Their exhibits are rooted in folklore, tales, and myth, offering comfort, inspiration, and a profound sense of meaning.
Academic and filmmaker Amir, who works outside conventional boundaries, is presenting a work that uses video and animation to create a contemporary "wayang kulit".
Mati creative duo - featuring Amat and Binti - has a foundation in cinematic arts and literature. Amat is a documentary filmmaker, while Binti is a poet, who uses her background in cinema to express her creativity. At this exhibit, their ideas combine to create what looks like a script from a film, with added poetic flair.
RB (Radzi Bedu), a former designer and teacher, has now gone into art-making full-time. His experimental creations circle around the idea of craft-making, exploring how traditional materials can be incorporated with new technology.
This exhibition kick offs A.P Art Gallery’s 2024 programme. Admission is free.
More info here.
A view of Rafiee Ghani’s 'Paus Menjulang' (African Mahogany, 2023) sculpture at the Galeri Puteh exhibition. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
EXHIBITION: RAFIEE GHANI'S 'ARCA SAMUDERA'
Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Feb 4
Due to popular demand, Galeri Puteh has extended this ambitious exhibition from one of Malaysia's beloved painters, who is showing - debuting, more accurately - his impressive sculpture works.
From the mind that has given us amazing abstract paintings, veteran artist Rafiee Ghani, 61, is now exhibiting a series of 40 wood sculpture works, using material such as Chengal, African Mahogany, Sentang Wood, Tamarind, Acasia and Merbau.
Having been in the art scene for 40 years, Rafiee does not believe in the “writers block”, taking up the challenge of working with wood in this Arca Samudera exhibition, which has been well-received by art lovers.
Each sculpture showcases his meticulous attention to detail, revealing the natural beauty and unique characteristics of the chosen wood. From graceful abstract forms to figurative compositions, the exhibition reflects his ability to breathe life into the medium, infusing it with a sense of movement, emotion, and narrative.
With a distinctive style that merges cultural influences with a modern aesthetic, Rafiee's bold exhibition stands as a testament to the timeless allure of sculptural artistry and the transformative power of wood as a medium for artistic expression. There are also over 20 paintings to accompany this sculpture exhibition.
More info here.
One of Adil's rainbow-inspired raku ceramic exhibits at his show at Zhan Art Space in Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Aina Amirah
EXHIBITION: 'LIFE: MAGNIFIED' CERAMIC ART
Venue: Zhan Art Space, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends Feb 8
Adil Abdul Ghani stands as a prominent figure in the world of local ceramics, particularly celebrated for his mastery of the ancient Japanese firing technique known as raku.
Born with a passion for sculpting and an inherent love for the tactile nature of clay, the Japan-trained Adil's artistic journey led him to delve into the intricate and unpredictable realm of raku ceramics.
His first major exhibition Life: Magnified offers visitors a glimpse of a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.
The show features 15 large-scale sculptural ceramic pieces, an accessory line (wearable art), and also ceramic vases, in various shapes and sizes. Their aesthetic beauty, rainbow splashes and the dynamic interplay between form and surface are a testimony of Adil's dedication to the art of raku ceramics and his technical skill.
Ceramic art brand RAAQU, helmed by Adil, has partnered with Zhan Art Space for this Life: Magnified exhibition, currently running at the gallery until Feb 8.
More info here.
