Front Row

Artist Jalaini Abu Hassan often plays with notions of memory and identity in his paintings. In his latest exhibition, “Cerpan-Cerpen”, he expands on these by addressing questions of belonging and the homeland - not by overtly focusing on politics or current events, but rather, on the familiar and the everyday. We speak to Jalaini about his work, his latest series, and how he found inspiration in the past and the idea of an archival approach.

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Jeremi Ca is a contemporary artist who is a part of the newer wave of artists coming out of France, who are redefining what French art can be to the rest of the world. He is known for his inventive use of colour and for using unconventional tools in his work, and has been featured in collections around the world. During his visit to Kuala Lumpur to participate in Art Expo Malaysia 2018, Jeremi and gallery owner Edith Ho speak to us about his approach to art and why he loves making accessible art.

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“The Ring of the Nibelung” by Richard Wagner is probably one of the best-known operas in the world. An upcoming local production is staging a theatrical version of the operas, where the four operas in the cycle are being presented as a five-hour play in Mandarin. The story retains the original’s epic plot and characters, but adds a contemporary spin to the staging. We speak to the show’s director Dr Deric Gan, and two of the performers, Pearlly Chua and Tan Li Yang.

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The Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia has put together a programme of American music. Beyond sharing about this upcoming concert, the musicians share their insights into the characteristics of this music and what about it resonates with us here. They also help us better understand this music of open spaces, possibilities and the idealised common man.

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WVC Jazz Ensemble’s new album, “Give Thy Ear”, takes inspiration from the works of William Shakespeare - each of the songs reinterpret a particular piece of writing by him. We speak to the band’s music director/pianist Tay Cher Siang and drummer KJ Wong about the process of putting music to the Bard’s words, and how they continue to approach jazz with a fresh ear.

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The stand-up comedy scene in Malaysia is increasingly getting more diverse, but it still tends to remain fairly confined to respective languages, with most of the attention being paid to English-language stand-up. We speak to Prakash Daniel and Keren Bala Deven, two local stand-up comics who are part of a movement to break some of these boundaries, specifically between English and Tamil-language comedy.

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This time on our arts review show, we talk about ASK Dance Company’s “The iProject: Between Self and Others”, a contemporary dance production that reflects on the choices and the pull between self-interest and societal interest. Dance producer Bilqis Hijjas joins us to review and discuss the show.

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An Australian poet and rap artist of Greek heritage, Luka Lesson’s writing and performances reflect a wide range of influences from rappers, Greek mythology, and Australian history. During his visit to Kuala Lumpur for a showcase, we speak to Luka about about how he brings together the past and the present in his works.

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“Creatures of Near Kingdoms”, a recently published book by Zedeck Siew with illustrations by Sharon Chin, is a fantastical catalogue of flora and fauna from Malaysia and its surrounding region. These creatures may not really exist, but the vivid writing and beguiling art are almost enough to convince you that they just might. We speak to Zedeck and Sharon about how these creatures made the journey from imagination to page.

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The event of May 9 has changed mindsets. At least that's the assumption of ADC's choreographers and dancers. The realization that major situations can change when people act has prompted the choreographers to ask about the choices we make. And what needs to be weighed in the process: self-interest or the interests of others. Naimsyah Razad also shares how his and his co-choreographer, Fauzi Amirudin make manifest words into dancerly movements. Yee Sue Ki, dancing the choreography shares the dancer's perspective.

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