A view of the fanzine selection at the Zine Day Out Vol 2 event at independent bookshop Tokosue in KL on July 27. Photo: Tokosue
BOOKSHOP EVENT: ZINE DAY OUT VOL II
Venue: Tokosue, Level 2, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, KL
Date: July 27, noon to 8pm
Kuala Lumpur's dynamic zine community (make that, Malaysia for a wider pool of talent) is gathering at Tokosue this Saturday for an exciting day filled with activities.
At this day-long event, the fanzine community comes alive, featuring a diverse collection of fanzines spanning genres like underground literature, raw fiction, feminism, music, poetry, punk comics, travel, and more, each offering unique insights and perspectives from passionate creators.
Organised by indie bookshop Tokosue and Kolektif Kecamuk in celebration of International Zine Month, "Zine Day Out" features sharing sessions by local zinesters such as Fishah and Andrialis of Zine Photo Poetry, and Aiesyah Azriff of Musuh Setan.
Throughout the day, there will be performances, such as a poetry reading by Latifa Guerra, plus acoustic sets by singer-songwriter Francis Wolf and Vive (comprising students from Permata Remaja UKM).
There will also be a selection of creatives selling their zines and other merch as well, including Caveat, Nini Lukis, and Isacchili. Free admission event.
More info here.
Antoine Loncle's photograph titled 'Coastal Fisherman At Sea 1', which part of the KLPA2024 finalists exhibition titled 'Make It Real - Staged Narrative In Portraiture' at Temu House. Photo: KLPA
PHOTOGRAPHY: KLPA2024: 'MAKE IT REAL – STAGED NARRATIVE IN PORTRAITURE'
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends July 28
This is your last chance to visit the Kuala Lumpur Photography Awards (KLPA2024) exhibition of 38 finalists at Temu House this weekend. As an annual international portrait photography competition, it has drawn the attention of photography enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
Earlier this year, KLPA2024 invited photographers to submit staged portrait studies with the prompt "turning of the head to face the camera." The gallery at Temu House is now showcasing portraits that offer poignant looks at individuals and insights into deeper social issues.
Among the featured works in this Make It Real – Staged Narrative In Portraiture show is Penang-based artist Antoine Loncle's Coastal Fisherman At Sea, which earned him second place. This formal portrait captures a fisherman standing precariously on a shaky boat off the coast of Penang.
The winning KLPA2024 shot, Ramak Bamzar's Pro Femina: Scene 4 – Tulips Of The Fallen Youth, highlights the brutal reality of life in Iran over the past four decades and the fight against oppression.
Admission is free.
More info here.
A view of nature photographer Chien C. Lee’s new exhibition 'Fatal Attraction' at GMBB. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHIEN C. LEE'S 'FATAL ATTRACTION'
Venue: Darkroom Gallery, GMBB, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Dec 31
Take a stroll through the dark corridor gallery space on level 6 of GMBB, where US nature photographer Chien C. Lee’s photographs of the rainforest’s most fascinating organisms await.
Based in Sarawak, Lee's three-decade photographic journey now turns to a new show titled Fatal Attraction. It explores the world of tropical pitcher plants, or "Genus Nepenthes," which trap and devour insects and even rats with their cleverly designed leaves.
From Madagascar to New Guinea, Lee has documented these plants in their natural habitats. Initially, fewer than 100 species were known; now, nearly double that number exists, with new discoveries each year. Lee, a regular name at GMBB, has come up with yet another intriguing nature-based series.
The Darkroom Gallery's absence of light and vibrant nature photos offer a captivating escape from reality. Free Admission.
More info here.
A view of the 'Raja Kita' exhibition, which includes vehicles from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia's private collection, at Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Bernama
EXHIBITION: 'RAJA KITA'
Venue: Muzium Negara (National Museum), Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Sept 29
At the newly opened Raja Kita exhibition in Muzium Negara, visitors are in for a royal treat, with over 220 items to explore, including His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia’s train driver's license and personal vehicles, ranging from his first bicycle to a touring car.
This showcase features historical royal regalia and treasures from royal ceremonies, such as instruments from the Nobat (royal orchestra), the majestic Cogan Alam (Sceptre of the World), the revered Cogan Agama (Sceptre of Religion), the ornate keris, the Pending Diraja (Royal Waist Buckle), the sundang, and the official attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, known as Muskat.
Timed to coincide with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim’s recent installation as the 17th King of Malaysia, this free exhibition also offers a glimpse into his colourful hobbies and interests. The royal regalia will be exclusively on display for the first five days of the exhibition, starting Friday (July 26), so don’t miss your chance to see these treasures up close!
More info here.
Bring your poems, bring your songs ... the 'Jalan Dalam' open mic series returns this Saturday to its home base in Taman Melawati in KL. Photo: Handout
POETRY AND MUSIC: ‘JALAN DALAM’ OPEN MIC NIGHT
Venue: Folk Kofii, Taman Melawati, KL
Date: July 27, 8pm
After showcasing a broad array of talent at the Janda Baik Festival in Selangor earlier this month, KL-based performing arts collective Jalan Dalam returns to its Melawati home base for its monthly open mic this Saturday.
Expect an evening of poetry, music, and unexpected talents from 14 performers, including some returning faces. The event, held in the alley between AP Art Gallery and Westar, offers a supportive space for self-expression and grassroots artistic development.
Admission is free.
More info at @jalandalam_
DESIGN AND ART: 'KAMI REKA'
Venue: Yap Ah Shak House, Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur
Date: July 27 and 28
If you're a designer or an enthusiast of the creative arts, you'll want to drop by Kami Reka, a weekend-long event dedicated to capturing the creativity and design of Malaysians.
There's something for everyone – there's the Design & Craft Market in the day, showcasing a charming array of jewellery and fashion by local artisans; and fun workshops on earring design and creating palette knife art pieces.
On July 27, Florence Looi from The Bridge of Asia will moderate a talk on how design is connected to ESG goals, with guest speakers Januar Rianto (Further Reading), Teh Soo Tyng (Eco Sentido), and Ng Kin Lam (Kleve Solutions) sharing their insights.
At 8pm on Saturday, there will be a screening of the film Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production, which explores the graphic design production of the 1950s through the 1990s – from linecaster to photocomposition – and from paste-up to PDF. Instagram: @kami__reka
More info here.
A gallery view of the 'Not Just In Back And White' exhibition, featuring the Steve Wong Art Collection. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
EXHIBITION: 'NOT JUST IN BLACK AND WHITE'
Venue: GDP Campus, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Aug 11
In Kuala Lumpur, art collectors are beginning to play an important role in shaping exhibitions, often reflecting their personal tastes and curatorial vision. The Not Just In Black And White exhibition is a prime example, featuring contemporary Malaysian and South-East Asian artwork from the Steve Wong collection.
This free admission exhibition at the new GDP Campus showcases nearly 80 large-scale artworks (across two floors), reflecting Wong's preference for impactful, provocative, political and also, highly reflective pieces. Curated by Beverly Yong (Rogue Art), this diverse collection spans more than 30 years, weaving a rich narrative of Malaysia's evolving art landscape, with a dash of regional flavour added to the exhibition.
It features works from prominent artists such as Wong Hoy Cheong, Yee I-Lann, Saiful Razman, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Latiff Mohidin, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Chong Siew Ying, Kide Baharudin, Chang Yoong Chia, Justin Lim, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Hasanul Isyraf Idris, Samsudin Wahab, Zelin Seah, Yeoh Choo Kuan, Pangrok Sulap, Yim Yen Sum, Zac Lee, and others, ensuring a captivating experience for visitors.
Exhibition is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
More info here.
EXHIBITION: 'EMERGE/SUBMERGE'
Venue: G13 Gallery, Petaling Jaya
Date: end Aug 3
In Petaling Jaya, G13 Gallery is showing Emerge/Submerge, a duo exhibition by two contemporary local artists, Haziq Syawal and Nik Mohd Shahfiz.
This exhibition invites viewers into a dialogue between Syawal's meticulously planned compositions, inspired by nature and everyday life, and Shahfiz's intuitive exploration of memory and pop surrealist motifs.
Through contrasting approaches, both artists delve deep into their respective realms, offering poignant reflections on beauty, impermanence, and the complexities of human experience.
With Syawal utilising acrylic on jute and Nik Mohd working in oil on canvas, viewers will be treated to a showcase of skillful and painterly craftsmanship.
More info here.
