Front Row

How do you use art to comment on the constant development that Kuala Lumpur undergoes? In the case of Dhavinder Singh’s installation art project, he literally takes the art to the sites that are being developed. His work, called “Test Tanah”, is a touring art exhibition that will be displayed at various locations slated for redevelopment in Kuala Lumpur. We speak with Dhavinder to find out more.

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Funding is an essential aspect of the Malaysian arts landscape, with most artsmakers relying on government or corporate financial support. The INXO Arts Fund aims to help bridge this gap by seeding works by younger or emerging artsmakers, with RM100,000 available to fund up to 10 arts and culture-related projects. We speak with the INXO Arts and Culture Foundation’s CEO E-Jan Tan to learn more.

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After a decade, a theatre production called “Transitions” sees one of our most treasured theatre practitioners - Datuk Faridah Merican - essaying a lead role once again. The play was written specifically with her in mind by writer Marina Tan, and tells the story of the founder of a radio station who suffers an unexpected stroke. We speak with Faridah and Marina about how the play is brought to life by a combination of Malaysiana, music and memories.

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POW Ideas is a Malaysian design and architecture collective who will be the first Malaysian architects to be presenting at the Venice Art Biennale. They will be presenting an art installation called “Gerai Tai Tai”, which combines some truly Malaysian concepts - from pasar malams to fortune telling. We speak with Kyle E and Jun Ong, the people behind the idea.

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Bharatanatyam and music become the central points around which the story of “His Father’s Voice” unfolds - an Indian film that addresses memories, relationships, loss, and healing. Ahead of a special screening in Malaysia, we speak with the film’s writer/director Kaarthikeyan Kirubhakaran and actor/producer Ashwini Pratap Pawar.

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A group of artists, writers, and poets come together to present an exhibition that marks the one-year anniversary of Malaysia’s pivotal 14th general elections. Titled “Rasa Sayang” after the ever-popular folk song, the exhibition uses humour and a playful approach to examine the urgent sociopolitical issues that underpin the idea of being Malaysian today.

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A feature documentary film called “M for Malaysia” captures a watershed moment in Malaysian politics, following Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the campaign trail over the 16 days leading up to Malaysia’s 14th general elections in 2018. Directed by Dr Mahathir’s granddaughter Ineza Roussille together with Dian Lee, the film contrasts grand political moments with intimate footage. We speak with Roussille and Lee about the process of making the documentary.

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This is an edited version of a live recording of BFM's Speak Easy at The Joke Factory as part of MAP Fest 2019. Host, Sheena Baharudin is joined by a lineup of polyglot poets as they explore the creative art of multilingualism.This is an edited version of a live recording of BFM's Speak Easy at The Joke Factory as part of MAP Fest 2019.

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The anniversary of the historic May 9 elections is coming up, and perhaps what we all need to take a look back is a bit of humour. So The Instant Cafe is back with a brand new show called “The May 9 Show”, a late-night talk show-style performance which promises to bring back some very familiar characters - both real and fictional!

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Malaysian artist Jeffrey Lim collaborated with Taiwanese indigenous artist Posak Jodian to visually document the cultural and social histories of indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. We speak with them about the project and their experiences working on it.

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