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This Spotlight is sponsored by CENDANA.
After being on a hiatus for more than a year, the Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) is bringing back the long-awaited Art In The City (AITC)!
This marks the third edition of AITC, which carries the aim of making art more accessible to the public, in addition to raising awareness on the vibrant and valuable arts and culture scene in Malaysia.
And that’s why from October until December, CENDANA (a unit of MyCreative Ventures) will be bringing about a slew of exciting programmes and activities with a focus on artists, artisans, and cultural workers. Woohoo!
Not only will these programmes be taking place across Kuala Lumpur and other cities, they’ll also be organised online, so you can attend not-too-be-missed events and admire beautiful art pieces from the comfort of your own home
Additionally, according to Minister of Communications and Multimedia YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr Annuar Haji Musa, other than raising awareness for artists and cultural workers in Malaysia, the public art campaign is timely, especially with various sectors reopening its doors. AITC will create an additional 2,000 employment opportunities. So, jom lah guyssss, support local.
From cool light shows to open art classes, check out what AITC has in store until December:
1. Catch traditional performances such as Kompang Jidor, Zapin Melayu, and more on Facebook
Kompang Jidor performance
Image via Cheryl Hoffman (Provided to SAYS)
In collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Panggung Rakyat will be showcasing unique and authentic traditional performances, while also educating the public about embracing and appreciating Malaysia’s unique arts and cultural heritage. Kalau tak kenal, maka tak cinta!
Check out the schedule:
Traditional Artform of Kompang Jidor (Johor)
Date: 9 October
Collaborators: PUSAKA featuring Persatuan Kompang Kg. Parit Madirono
Traditional Artform of Zapin Melayu (Johor)
Date: 23 October
Collaborators: Nusantara Performing Arts Center (NusPARC) with Yayasan Warisan Johor
Traditional Artform of Kuchipudi
Date: 13 November
Collaborators: Temple of Fine Arts
Traditional Artform featuring Sounds of Borneo (Sabah Edition)
Date: 27 November
Collaborators: Tuyang Initiative
Traditional and Culture of Mah Meri
Date: 11 December
Collaborators: Mah Meri Cultural Village
Traditional Artform of Manora
Date: 24 December
Collaborators: PUSAKA
All of these performances will be available on Facebook, so make sure to Like CENDANA’s Facebook page!
2. Listen to some of the best and insightful presentations from local and international speakers at KUL.CEF
From left: Ridwan Kamil and Jason Bevan
Image via AITC (Provided to SAYS)
As AITC’s first formal event, the Kuala Lumpur Creative Economy Forum (KUL.CEF) is a forum set to welcome both international and local speakers to share the importance of arts and culture in rebuilding the nation post COVID-19. Additionally, the forum hopes to attract corporations, as well as sustainability and corporate social responsibility team members about the role of arts and culture and the wider creative industries in line with the Sustainable Development Goals as well as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings.
Check out the list of speakers:
– Jason Bevan, Former Head of Creative Development & VP Marketing EMEA Warner Bros Studios, Founder & Managing Director Content Creator Studios (known for pushing creative boundaries on campaigns such as the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, DC movies like Joker, The Dark Knight, as well as Aquaman films, the Lego movies, the Conjuring, and more)
– Lord Ed Vaizey, UK’s longest-serving Minister for Technology, Communications & Culture
– Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java, Indonesia
– Suk Young Kim, Professor of Theatre; Performance Studies at UCLA School of Theatre; Kpop Industry Expert
– and many more!
KUL.CEF:
Date: 14 October
Time: 9.30am – 5pm
Venue: Zoom (To attend, register here)
Entry: FREE
There will also be corporate tax deduction workshops/discussions organised to educate corporations on the existing incentives for the arts on 20 and 27 October.
3. Pick up a new skill or master your craft from your favourite artist via CENDANA’s Open Art Classes
Image via AITC (Provided to SAYS)
Featuring some of Malaysia’s top performers and artists, AITC is organising 20 different open art classes every weekend for the public to take part in. From listening to speakers share colourful art histories to learning how to do batik, you’ll appreciate the country’s cultural heritage and pick up traditional artistic skills during the weekends. Best of all, all open art classes will be conducted online.
Open art classes:
Date: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 29 October onwards
Venue: Zoom
Entry: FREE
You can register and find out more about the classes here.
4. Check out beautiful Malaysian craft products curated by Studio C just for you
Image via AITC (Provided to SAYS)
AITC will be seeing a new brand introducing – Studio C – which aims to showcase beautiful and intricate Malaysian craft products that reflect the country’s artistic heritage and commitment to social responsibility, while also shaping the contemporary art scene.
Plus, it’s also a way to contribute to Malaysian artisans and preserve Malaysia’s cultural heritage. AITC will be sharing these crafts and their legacy via different platforms such as homegrown e-commerce platforms, pop-ups, as well as social and conceptual events. You can even visit their pop-up events in Kuala Lumpur for a sneak preview, so make sure to go check it out and support our local artisans, okay?
Studio C locations:
CIMB Artober, Hotel Art Fair, Element Kuala Lumpur
Date: 4 – 7 November
Entry: FREE
KLWKND @ Central Market, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 25 – 28 November
Entry: FREE
5. Admire cool public art that will light up the night
Image via AITC
Named The Light Project, this event will take place in six different cities at the same time, all of which will last for five months, from November 2021 until March 2022.
During this period, selected spaces in the cities will be lit up with curated public art and performances led by local arts communities, to symbolise hope and light as well as to inspire the public about rising up together in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is done in collaboration with Think City and 6 local municipalities.
The Light Project:
Date: November 2021 – March 2022
Time: Lit up every evening
Venue:
– The Godown, Kuala Lumpur
– Padang Badawi, Butterworth, Penang
– Taman Medan Selera Dato Tahwil Azhar, Ipoh, Perak
– SDG Park, Melaka
– Batu Pahat site, Jalan Abu Bakar, Batu Pahat, Johor
– Kenyalang Park, Kuching, Sarawak
Entry: FREE
6. Explore Kuala Lumpur through four different ‘festival villages’ showcasing every form of local art
Image via AITC
Lasting over a period of four exciting and eventful days, the KLWKND festival will take place in multiple modern heritage spots in Kuala Lumpur to showcase local literature worth picking up, beautiful architecture to admire, traditional crafts to add to your collection, local yummy snacks, and so much more!
These locations in Kuala Lumpur will be paired with its very own ‘festival village’, each meticulously curated by the renowned Joe Sidek! Yes, the man behind the infamous George Town Festival and Rainforest Fringe Festival. So, make sure to visit these spots, all of which are within a short walking distance from each other! This means you get to spend the day strolling through the city while also visiting the ‘festival villages’.
KLWKND Festival:
Date: 25 – 28 November
Time: All day
Venue:
– DI SINI, Panggung Bandaraya, DBKL
– DI SITU, REXKL
– IN SITU, The Godown KL
– SINILAH, Pasar Seni
Entry: FREE (Registration required)
Final programme of the festival will be announced soon, so stay tuned for more updates from AITC!
7. Take a look back at how much the culture in Malaysia has developed over the past 50 years
In collaboration with PUSAKA and Svara, the Symposium of 50th National Cultural Congress 1971 (Symposium NCC50) will gather practitioners and experts from diverse communities to reflect and reimagine how much the culture in Malaysia has developed over the past 50 years.
Other than distinguished figures offering insights on the National Culture Congress, the symposium will also focus on getting the younger generation of cultural practitioners to participate.
Symposium NCC50:
Date: 11 December
Time: TBC
Venue: Online
Entry: FREE
Image via Art In The City
8. Immerse yourself in an exhibition full of captivating media artworks
@ AITC Through The Lens Of Fire – Wee Jia Foong
Image via AITC (Provided to SAYS)
Saving the best for last, AITC will be wrapping up the three-month campaign with Malaysia’s very own media art exhibition – Sensorium of Inversion/Immersion (SENSORii). The exhibition is a borderless world of light, colour, and sound by Lim Kok Yoong in collaboration with KC Tan, Flux 28, Wee Jia Foong, Ashly Nandong, and Azarikh Amran, made possible with Artistic Director Yap Sau Bin and Producer Melissa Teoh.
With the aim of presenting different and unique artworks with different backgrounds, SENSORii’s exhibition will tell the city’s stories from different imaginations and perspectives using different media technological approaches. Additionally, to add on a more immersive experience for the public, the exhibition will be accompanied by musical components composed by Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.
SENSORii:
Date: 1 – 28 December
Time: 12pm – 9pm
Venue: REXKL, Kuala Lumpur
Entry: FREE but ticketed. (Get your ticket here)
Bringing you a myriad of art and cultural experiences like no other, CENDANA hopes to encourage everyone to support and appreciate Malaysia’s diverse beauty
Additionally, proper SOPs will be in place to ensure that the public continues to practise physical distancing while enjoying the exhibitions.
“We remain strongly committed to supporting the recovery of the arts and culture sector,” says CENDANA Founding Chief Executive Officer, Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin.
“With the opening of the creative industries, in collaboration with the arts communities, and partnerships from business and government partners, CENDANA is committed to demonstrating the impact of the arts, capturing its strength, overcoming challenges, and nurturing the soul of the nation for the future.”
Additionally, CIMB and Yayasan Hasanah are joining hands with CENDANA to spur art recovery via a public-private TripArt collaboration
Left: Acrylic on Canvas by Husin Hourmain Alif. Right: Percussion Paradise performance, 2017 HANDS 20th Anniversary Concert
Image via CIMB Group & Yayasan Hasanah (Provided to SAYS)
From 4 to 7 November, CIMB will be organising their CIMB Artober Hotel Art Fair, which will consist of digital content, art talks, and exhibitions at Element by Kuala Lumpur.
CENDANA will of course, be hosting Art In The City, while Yayasan Hasanah‘s Art for All Seasons will make its return to honour and showcase Malaysia’s preserved and conserved art, heritage, and culture through public events for all.
Head over to AITC’s website now to find out more about their exciting programmes!
Image via AITC
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