Japanese experimental musician Otomo Yoshihide joins saxophonist and composer Chris Pitsiokos on stage at the Percussion Store, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya on Sept 21. Photo: Handout
EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC: 'UNCANNY MIRROR ASIAN TOUR 2024'
Venue: Percussion Store, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Date: Sept 21, 8pm
If there's a contender for experimental music gig of the year in Malaysia, this would undoubtedly be one of the front-runners. New York and Berlin-based saxophonist and composer Chris Pitsiokos, known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, will share the stage with the legendary Japanese musician and composer Otomo Yoshihide in Petaling Jaya.
Pitsiokos, whose "startlingly original vision" and "astonishingly fleet sax work" have earned him acclaim from Rolling Stone, brings his innovative fusion of saxophone and electronics to the fore.
Meanwhile, Otomo – one of the most influential figures in Japan's underground, avant-garde, and free jazz movements – will command the guitar and turntables with the mastery that has cemented his place in experimental music history.
This rare collaboration promises a sonic exploration that transcends genre and geography, inviting listeners to witness two of the most daring minds in contemporary music merge their distinct styles into a performance that defies convention.
The night, put together by KLEX Fest, Percussion Store and Khatulistiwa, will also showcase local improvisers Siew-Wai Kok (voice), Yii Kah Hoe (dizi and suling), and Yong Yandsen (tenor sax), each delivering their signature, uncompromising blend of experimental sounds.
More info here.
A view of Ong's 'Krystal Valley' installation at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: JUN ONG'S 'KRYSTAL VALLEY'
Venue: National Art Gallery, KL
Date: ends Nov 11
Renowned light and mixed media artist Jun Ong unveils his "Krystal Valley" installation as the latest entry in the National Art Gallery's "Hanya Satu: Single" series, located at its main foyer area.
This immersive artwork (free admission), inspired by Klang Valley, reimagines the area as rich in minerals rather than just a landfill.
Using scrap metal, electronic boards, and plastics, Ong creates artificial crystals resembling precious gems, transforming everyday waste into a three-dimensional collage of memories and found objects.
"Krystal Valley" highlights the process of crystallisation and features various crystal types like amethyst, fluorite, and bismuth. The installation also questions the value of crystals in the multi-billion-dollar healing industry, exploring whether they hold true power or are merely admired for their beauty.
Trained in architecture, Ong's work explores how artificial light and media shape our experience of space, with collaborations spanning video art, quantum physics, and sound.
The KL-based light artist, known for his large-scale installations, earned a nomination for World's Best in Spatial Art at the 2016 Media Architecture Biennale for his "Star" installation, a five-storey light sculpture in Penang.
More info here.
Umi's 'Pesta Mawar', a 2024 mixed media work, which is part of her 'Rekah' exhibition in KL. Photo: Handout
EXHIBITION: UMIBAIZURAH MAHIR ISMAIL'S 'REKAH'
Venue: Sareng Gallery, Menara Chan, Jalan Ampang, KL
Date: ends Oct 12
Talk about a rare treat! Globe-trotting multidisciplinary artist Umibaizurah Mahir Ismail, known as Umi, has finally scheduled a show in Kuala Lumpur.
Her sixth solo exhibition, Rekah - her first in Malaysia since 2016 - is currently showing at Sareng Gallery.
The show takes its name from the Malay word for "crack", which is exemplified in the clay-based paintings and ceramic sculptures that engage with the natural environment, both thematically and materially.
The works centre around Umi's concern with the ecological cost of urban expansion, driven by developmental desire and extractivist exploitation seen from her studio in Puncak Alam, while the raw materials used in her pieces come from locally sourced clay, soil, sand and stone.
"My works are born from an intensive study of wild clay material, focusing on the granules and texture of the soil at a detailed level. This attention to micro details captures the essence of the material's character, highlighting the inherent beauty of the natural world and providing a poignant reminder of our intimate and often-overlooked connection with the earth,” says Umi.
More info here.
Shia visits 'The Special Day' exhibition, currently on display at The Strand in Kota Damansara, which has been generating considerable word-of-mouth attention. Photo: Fergana Art
EXHIBITION: SHIA YIH YIING'S 'THE SPECIAL DAY'
Venue: The Strand, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Date: ends Sept 30
Here’s an exhibition that’s generating quiet buzz: Sarawakian artist Shia’s The Special Day series, originally created in 2010 to commemorate Malaysia Day, is now on display at The Strand Mall in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, throughout the month.
Organised by Fergana Art, this pop-up exhibition features the complete series of 12 paintings, along with two additional works. The series presents a whimsical yet poignant vision of a "kittengarten," serving as a metaphor for educating the young about Malaysia's rich and diverse landscape.
For art lovers and the curious alike, this series offers a delightful yet thought-provoking exploration of how these kittens prepare for a special school performance, all while immersing themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Malaysia's many cultures.
Through her work, Shia reflects on the complexities and nuances of the nation, providing both a celebration and a critique of its multicultural identity.
For more gallery-hopping, Fergana Art is also showing the Nyata group show this month at The Strand.
More info here.
Visitors can explore a variety of traditional crafts, including songket creation, at the Maybank Foundation Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar. Photo: Handout
ARTS EVENT: ‘MAYBANK FOUNDATION CULTURAL ART SHOWCASE AND BAZAAR’
Venue: Balai Seni Menara Maybank, Jalan Tun Perak, KL
Date: ends Sept 30
This month-long event, presented by Maybank Foundation, features an array of artisan showcases, interactive workshops, cultural performances, and a host of engaging family-friendly activities.
Join 11 talented artisans and nine cultural groups for lively workshops and exhibitions that offer a fun and engaging way to explore traditional crafts.
At the event space, visitors can dive into the intricate world of Peranakan beadwork, explore the art of batik and songket creation, try their hand at crafting a ‘Wau,’ and admire the elegance of saree and accessory design.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Chinese calligraphy and get acquainted with traditional musical instruments like the gambus and the instruments of a traditional Chinese orchestra.
Activities and showcases will run from 9.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays, 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, and will be closed on Sundays. Admission is free, walk-in event.
More info here.
A before-and-after view of the restored photograph of Sarawakian artist Sonia Luhong's maternal Bidayuh grandmother, taken in 1958 at a studio in Bau Town. Photo: Handout
PHOTOGRAPHY: 'STORIES BEHIND OLD PHOTOGRAPHS'
Venue: Charlie's Cafe & Bakery, Taman Bukit Desa, KL
Date: ends Oct 7
Following the Stories Behind Old Photographs exhibition in January 2023, Canvas Art returns to spotlight the voices of marginalised communities in Sabah and Sarawak through a collection of restored photographs.
Supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) and in celebration of Malaysia Day, this exhibition features 30 restored photographs –15 from Sabah and 15 from Sarawak – each accompanied by a story that captures the unique essence of Borneo's communities.
The exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those in rural villages, where even a simple portrait was often difficult to achieve. Founded by the late Robert Lim Fung Wang and Chew Mann Lin, Canvas Art has been privileged to restore images for many of Malaysia's Royal Families and VIPs since May 2000. Today, the creative direction is led by their daughter, Faye Lim.
Visitors can also look forward to various sharing sessions and workshops every Saturday, and admission is free.
More info here.
