A view of RXP.KL's third digital art season, titled 'Twillight', which features the local digital art production 'Hanya Batik'. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
DIGITAL ART: RXP.KL'S 'TWILIGHT'
Venue: REXKL, 80, Jalan Sultan, KL
Date: ends Feb 16, 2025
The RXP.KL space at REXKL in downtown KL has launched a new immersive digital art series titled Twilight, featuring three exhibits: Hanya Batik, Geometry of Emotions, and Escape.
Hanya Batik, the first locally produced immersive show at the venue, uses batik graphics from Malaysian illustrator Arif Rafhan (aka Superdoofus) to celebrate the blend of traditional and contemporary culture.
This show – projected on the big screens at the digital theatre space – is the perfect cultural experience to immerse yourself in as the excitement of Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day approaches.
It captures the spirit of national pride and reflection, blending tradition and modernity in a way that echoes the rich history and vibrant future of Malaysia – making it a fitting celebration of the nation’s heritage during this festive season. And yes, the graphics are Insta-worthy!
Other highlights include Geometry Of Emotions, an interactive piece by Fabien Bouchard and Matthieu Pernaud that reacts to spectators in real-time, and Escape, an audiovisual work by Colas Fiszman and Laurent Delforge that explores modern society's relationship with technology and self-image through dance and dynamic projections.
Twilight is a ticketed show.
More info here.
A print work titled 'Pengembara Samudra' (end grain Ciku wood engraving on rice paper, 2015) by Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: ABDUL MANSOOR IBRAHIM'S 'ENGRAVING LIFE'
Venue: Chetak 17, Taman Wangsa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Aug 31
One of Malaysia's pioneering printmakers, Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim (fondly known to many as Pak Chot), offers a mini survey of the past few decades of his work in his latest solo exhibition, Engraving Life.
The exhibition features 38 prints made from Pak Chot's intricately detailed wood engravings and comprises three distinct sections: "Life", "Frame of Nature" and "Eyes of the World", with subjects ranging from a close-up look at insects, reptiles and crustaceans to a broader perspective on current issues both local and global, such as the disappearance of MH370 and the emergence of Bitcoin.
Pak Chot's works encourage viewers to look between the lines of each work – his selection of subject matter, as well as the titles he chooses for his pieces, often serve as a thought-provoking social commentary, offering insights into his observations of human behaviour. Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday (11am-6pm).
More info here.
'The Friend Zone Experiment' by London-based Malaysian author Zen Cho. Photo: Handout
BOOK EVENT: ZEN CHO'S 'THE FRIEND ZONE EXPERIMENT'
Venues: Eslite Bukit Bintang (KL) and Lit Books (Petaling Jaya)
Date: Aug 17
London-based Malaysian author Zen Cho, known for her whimsical, magic-filled fantasies, has been busy with bookshop meets in the Klang Valley to talk about her first contemporary romance novel.
To round off the whirlwind book tour, Cho will be visiting Eslite Bukit Bintang (Aug 17, 4.30pm), and Lit Books (Aug 17, 8pm).
In The Friend Zone Experiment, we follow Renee Goh, a successful entrepreneur in London whose life begins to unravel after her pop star boyfriend dumps her. She returns to Singapore when her father offers her the chance to run one of South-East Asia’s largest conglomerates. Her first love, Yap Ket Siong, reenters her life, and as Renee navigates family, duty, and her heart’s desires, she wonders if a future with Yap is possible.
More info here.
A view of artist Faizal Sidik's retrospective show - spanning a 25-year old career - at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: FAIZAL SIDIK: '25 YEARS – WORKS FROM 1994 TO 2024'
Venue: Harmoni, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL
Date: ends Sept 15
The exhibition, Faizal Sidik: 25 Years – Works From 1999 To 2024, showcases 193 artworks spanning the artist's career, from his early 1990s pieces to his latest works.
Organised into five thematic sections, the collection highlights Faizal's evolution, creativity, and exploration of Malaysian Malay culture and East-meets-West inspirations across various media.
Key highlights include experimental sketches (Drawings), songket-inspired designs (Sublime Weaves and Songket Paintings), modern geometric motifs (Pixel), and his introspective recent works created during a summer break in New York.
For a closer look at the exhibition, Faizal will be having an artist walk-through on Saturday at 3pm.
More info here.
The 'Tastes Of Home' is Ong's third book, which focuses on simple, nostalgic meals. Photo: Handout
BWM TALK SERIES: PENANG HERITAGE FOOD AND TRADITIONAL OBJECTS USED FOR COOKING BY DR ONG JIN TEONG
Venue: Badan Warisan Heritage Centre, No. 2 Jalan Stonor, KL
Date: Aug 17, 2.30pm
For this month's Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) "Talk Series," food culture author Dr Ong Jin Teong will explore Penang's heritage food through the lens of Nyonya Baba culture. He'll look into the prominent Malay and Hokkien influences that shape Penang’s culinary identity, while also highlighting the distinctive South Indian and Thai elements that set it apart from the Nyonya food traditions of Melaka and Singapore.
In addition, the Singapore-based Ong will shed light on the fascinating impact of Thai, Hainanese, and even English flavours on Penang cuisine, weaving in the origins and stories behind traditional Nyonya dishes.
His talk will also feature a discussion on traditional "kuihs" (local cakes) and the preparation of food using traditional cooking utensils. He'll share the inspiration behind his third book, The Tastes Of Home – Easy-To-Cook Dishes From Singapore And Malaysia, offering sneak peeks into its key chapters and the journey that led him to create it.
Admission is RM20 per person (non-members), free for BWM members.
More info here.
A view of the 'Titik Garis Bentuk' art exhibition at Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Ong Soon Hin
EXHIBITION: 'TITIK GARIS BENTUK: DRAWING AS PRACTICE'
Venue: Ilham Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: ends Aug 30
It's the final two weeks for Titik Garis Bentuk, Ilham Gallery's major group exhibition this year, which looks into the evolving role of drawing in contemporary Malaysian art, highlighting its significance as a standalone artistic medium.
Featuring pieces by 27 artists, the exhibition explores how boundaries between drawing and other art forms such as installation, animation, and performance are being blurred, redefining traditional notions of the medium. The line-up includes artists such as Jalaini Abu Hassan, Wong Hoy Cheong, Haslin Ismail, CC Kua, Chang Yoong Chia, chi too, Novia Shin, Paul Nickson Atia, Faizal Suhif, Hasanul Isyraf Idris, Chang Fee Ming, Engku Iman and Agnes Lau.
With a diverse array of works spanning figuration, landscape, architectural drawing, and minimalism, artists push the limits of conventional drawing techniques through innovative use of materials and methods.
From life-size charcoal figures to expansive landscapes, and from immediate, meditative sketches to intricate installations, Titik Garis Bentuk showcases the myriad ways in which artists are approaching drawing in contemporary practice.
More info here.
One of Ping's sculptures titled 'Concerned First Party', which explores the reactions of dogs to their reflections in a mirror. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: PING'S 'DOG DAYS'
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang, Selangor
Date: ends Aug 20
It's the last few days to catch Dog Days, the first solo exhibition for KL-based artist Ping, who has created a series of paintings and sculptures reflecting on themes such as mental health, bad luck and myths about black dogs. Ping also cites her pet dog, Ampersand, as a major influence in this showcase.
During the pandemic and lockdowns, the 29-year-old artist spent much of her time sketching Ampersand at home, using it as the only available model to practice with. This continuous observation of her dog's behaviour prompted Ping to explore both human and canine social norms.
The Dog Days exhibition at Harta Space features 10 graphite sculptures of various dog breeds, and 6 paintings. This cute yet thought-provoking show invites visitors to analyse and admire the dynamics between humans and dogs, while challenging cultural superstitions and perceptions. Admission is free.
More info here.
