With 16 symbolically rich installations, the latest Ono Kang solo exhibition in KL beckons viewers to explore his homage to family, heritage, home and life's journey. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: 'FORGED BY TIME: ONO KANG'S VISUAL DIARY'
Venue: Level 3, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends May 25
Penang-based installation artist and sculptor, Ono Kang, returns to Kuala Lumpur with his latest solo exhibition, Forged By Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary, now showing at Fahrenheit88.
Kang curated a diverse collection of George Town artefacts, ranging from furniture to industrial machinery, which served as the inspiration for his sculptures and installations, vividly recounting his memories and experiences.
Featuring 16 installations, each rich in symbolism, the new exhibition in KL invites viewers to delve into Kang's tribute to his home, family, heritage, and life journey.
Presented by ArtisFair, founded by Bernard Chandran, the exhibition is open daily from 11am to 9pm, except Mondays, with free admission.
More info here.
Zulkarnain will be presenting a new dance work at the 'Tabula Rasa 2024' series at DPAC in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Handout
PERFORMING ARTS/DANCE: 'TABULA RASA 2024'
Venue: Black Box, Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC), Empire Damansara
Date: April 26-28
In the new series "Tabula Rasa 2024 – Choreography: Reset, Reflect, Reimagine," presented by ASK Dance Company, five choreographers aim to challenge norms, spark creativity, and redefine contemporary dance.
Audiences will experience fresh works by Chai Vivan, Raziman Sarbini, Zulkarnain Zuber, and Nadhirah Rahmat, along with guest artist Surjit Nongmeikapam from India.
The concept of "tabula rasa," or the "blank slate," suggests that everyone holds innate creativity, waiting to be set free. Built on this idea, the choreographers were tasked with breaking dance conventions, urging minds to break free from decades of tradition. They've been encouraged to push boundaries, fostering innovation, exploration, and the expansion of choreographic concepts.
More info here.
'What's considered 'classic' to the youths now were contemporary to me, so I look forward to passing down the books from my time to our present and future thinkers. I think there is much that can be learned from the past,' says Raja Ahmad. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli
BOOK EVENT: 'PESTA BUKU PAK ENGKU'
Venue: Pelita Dhihin Bookstore and The Bibliophile Bookshop, Menara Mutiara Majestic, Petaling Jaya
Date: April 27 and 28, 10am-6pm
Renowned writer, poet and cultural activist Raja Ahmad Aminullah, affectionately known as Pak Engku, is selling over 3,000 books from his personal collection this weekend. Book enthusiasts can anticipate a diverse selection of hard-to-find titles, acquired during his travels through the years.
Pak Engku, who once boasted a collection of around 30,000 books, has been downsizing in recent years, now maintaining roughly 20,000 books. Pelita Dhihin Bookstore will offer books on history, philosophy, and humanities priced between RM10-RM25, while The Bibliophile Bookshop will specialise in art-focused books, at slightly higher prices.
Expressing his hope for younger generations to appreciate these classics, Pak Engku aims to pass down his love of literature and knowledge to future thinkers.
More info here.
Tomorrow morning (April 27), the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is collaborating with walkability advocate group Kerja Jalan for a guided walk through Kuala Lumpur's historical core. Photo: The Star/William Gary
CULTURE WALK: MUSEUM & THE CITY
Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (meeting point)
Date: April 27, 8am-11am
As part of its 25th anniversary festivities, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is collaborating with walkability advocate group Kerja Jalan for a guided walk through Kuala Lumpur's historical core.
The 3km route begins at IAMM, traverses the Central Market area, and returns via the River of Life and Kuala Lumpur KTM station, showcasing landmarks like Masjid Negara, Menara Dayabumi, and Pejabat Pos Besar. Participants will gain insights into the design and architecture of the city's oldest buildings, discover shortcut routes, explore IAMM, and access exclusive merchandise. Registration is required, with a participation fee of RM150, covering museum entry, merchandise, and snacks.
More info here.
DIGITAL ART AND DANCE: 'ANNIHILATION'
Venue: REXKL, Jalan Sultan, KL
Date: ends July 14
In KL's Chinatown district, the REXKL building now features the immersive audiovisual showcase, Annihilation, by Belgian digital media artist-producer Colas Fiszman, alongside the ongoing Piying Dream and Matter Of Painting shows.
Annihilation, presented at the RXP.KL space, features a combination of dance, video and electronic music, illustrating a dark future in which industrial advancements by humans drives our planet to extinction.
Dancers Chloe Tan, Mohamad Arifwaran, Audrey Chua, and Zhafir Muzan bring the live element to the production.
The focal point is the real-time projection of dancers' movements onto the stage backdrop, facilitating interaction with synthetic views generated from 3D laser scans of landscapes. This immersive experience transports audiences into epic and colourful digital environments.
This one-hour showcase, available daily, features all three digital art productions (Annihilation, Piying Dream, and Matter Of Painting).
More info here.
A view of Harta Space's latest group exhibition 'Interwoven Realities', which features 32 local artists. Photo: The Star/Faihan Ghani
EXHIBITION: 'INTERWOVEN REALITIES'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends May 11
Immerse yourself in the Raya spirit with art from home at the Interwoven Realities group exhibition at Harta Space, Habib 2. Curated by Sarah Abu Bakar, the show boasts 32 artists, including established figures like Nor Tijan Firdaus, Anniketyni Madian, and Nini Marini, alongside emerging talents like Nurul Diyana, Jakob van Klang, and Danielle Lin.
With 70 diverse artworks on display, you'll encounter a variety of styles and mediums. Highlights include Saharuddin Supar's steel sculpture Bom Bunga, Ang Xia Yi's fusion of 1980s fabrics in Waiting For The Ice Cream Man, and Aliya Maisarah's digital installation Forgotten Traditions.
Keep an eye out for culture-inspired works by artists like Nurul Diyana, who integrates batik cloth on a woven bamboo tray, and Fazrin Abdul Rahman, presenting aluminum geometric embroidery designs. Admission is free.
More info here.
Nirmala is presenting 20 photography works in her exhibition 'Past Lives & Distant Voices', now showing at Kamaria Gallery in Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
PHOTOGRAPHY: NIRMALA KARUPPIAH'S 'PAST LIVES & DISTANT VOICES'
Venue: Kamaria Gallery, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends April 30
It's the last few days for visitors to step into the monochromatic world of photographer Nirmala Karuppiah at her 10th solo exhibition at Kamaria Gallery. Hers is a journey through the timeless allure of black and white landscapes.
Past Lives & Distant Voices, curated by Foo Chiwei, features 20 works, some dating as far back as 1996.
With a keen eye for detail and an unparalleled understanding of light and composition, Nirmala invites viewers to immerse themselves in the stark beauty of nature and urban settings captured through her lens.
Each photograph – shot in places such as Melaka, Terengganu, China, and a handful of US cities – tells a story, evoking emotions ranging from tranquility to awe as she skillfully portrays the delicate balance between light and shadow, showcasing the raw and unfiltered essence of the natural world. From rugged mountain peaks to serene kampung coastlines, Nirmala's imagery invites us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the profound beauty that surrounds us.
Viewing by appointment. Call 019-333-1092.
More info here.
