Taksu Kuala Lumpur Presents: 50/50 by Choo Kuan Yeoh and Seah Zelin

TAKSU Kuala Lumpur is honored to present 50/50, a two-man show by Choo Kuan Yeoh and Seah Zelin. Equally different, these two young artists are also equal parts of the same shell, with paintings that share similar dynamics of form, yet disparate origins of thought.

Zelin, a graduate of the University of Central England injects a painting methodology into his works that’s based on layering. His works today have developed into more developed deconstructions of our everyday lives. Underneath the swirls and the confusion, his mise en scenes are based on images found in IKEA catalogues – those tomes where pages present perfectly-composed kitchens or living rooms, and where happy families tease you with the promise of a blissful life. . Socioeconomics, in particular, is Zelin’s subject matter du jour and globalisation has been rife in the artist’s mind.

Meanwhile,Choo Kuan focuses on more hard-to-grasp qualities and abstraction has been adopted as his artistic mother tongue. The artist describes its concept as “something unseen and unutterable, with no incident behind it, so I feel more to the ground when I paint it out with strokes, colours, and textures, so that they go purely abstract”. Choo Kuan’s figurative-based works also circle around themes such as love, sex, and death, and there’s a European fancy in his monochromatic works, referencing a gilded era when painting was the highest form of expression. 50/50 exhibition ends 10th August 2013. 

The Royal Arts Gala Fund ready for applications this 22 July!

My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA), the organiser behind the prestigious Royal Arts Gala, and the National Department for Culture & Arts (JKKN) together with the Ministry of Tourism & Culture (MOTAC) are pleased to announce that the funds raised during the inaugural Royal Arts Gala in November2012 amounting to more than RM700,000, will be ready to receive applications from Malaysian practitioners of the performing arts commencing 22 July 2013. The fund was raised to energise the collaborative partnerships for the creation and development of new arts ventures in Malaysia and have been channelled to the ‘Kumpulan Wang Amanah Kebudayaan dan Kebajikan Penggiat Seni.’

The Royal Arts Gala Fund is made available thanks to the corporate partners and arts enthusiasts who purchased tables during last year’s Royal Arts Gala, an iconic arts event organised by MyPAA and JKKN that is part of the Economic Transformation Programme, EPP1 of Communications Contentand Infrastructure. This is an annual exclusive and significant arts gala that is also intended to raise the profile of the arts in Malaysia and to encourage the private sector to be supportive of the development of artistic and cultural aspects of Malaysia. The aim of the fund is to support the following:

• The promotion of Malaysian artists and works overseas (eg. In performing arts market, festival, showcase, pitch session, tour)
• The facilitation of international co-productions and collaborations involving Malaysian and overseas talent
• The development of technical and managerial skills among Malaysian performing arts managers and administrators
• Research and documentation projects in the performing arts

The National Creative Industry Policy (DIKN) defined performing arts inclusive of dance, music and theatre. These performing arts ideas will be submitted online via mypaa.com.my and will then be presented to the Performing Arts Selection Panel (the Selection Panel), which is setup to assess on the viability of the projects prior to the release of grants or resource needed for the project. The Selection Panel, made up of reputable members of the private, public and performing arts sectors, will act as the gatekeepers to ensure that the proposals fit the requirements. They include:

• Puan Shahira Bazari, Director Khazanah Nasional Berhad – Chairman of the Selection Committee
• YBhg Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid – Group Managing Editor NSTP
• Mr R. Ramani Ramalingam – Deputy CEO Recording Industry Association of Malaysia
• Ms Jolyn Gasper – Head Corporate Responsibility, Community Affairs, ASTRO
• Ms Bilqis Hijjas – President My Dance Alliance
• Tuan Haji Supiat Mukri – Former Director of Istana Budaya
• JKKN Representative
• Culture Policy and Strategic Planning Division of MOTAC Representative
• MyPAA Representative

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Subsidised arts may not be a common practice in Malaysia, but there’s a myriad of things happening and with the continuous support from both the public and private sector, for example, a steady form of fund generation can be done on a yearly basis to provide the industry some assistance. The arts’ ability to nurture creativity and innovative thinking skills are essential for us to remain competitive in a global economy and this only reaffirms that performing arts is a critical factor to nurture and cultivate further in our country,” said Izan Satrina, Founder and Director of MyPAA.

Datuk Norliza Rofli, Director General of JKKN said, “We look forward to supporting the industry to deliver this grants scheme which is responsive to the needs of practitioners of the performing arts in this developing industry. It is good to know that local practitioners now have access to the kind of support that ensures their skills and talents can further flourish and fulfil their potential.”

“Malaysians involved in the performing arts industry should take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their talents or heighten their skills for the better ment of themselves and the industry. Funding support is awarded through a highly competitive evaluation process by the Performing Arts Selection Panel. Applicants will be evaluated against a few criteria as well as the strength of relevant supporting materials submitted, however this should not be a deterrent in applying. Our team at MyPAA will be more than happy to attend to any individual or group enquiries pertaining to applying,” concluded Izan Satrina.

Application for the grant will be available four times a year. Individuals or companies interested in applying for the grant can do so via MyPAA’s website at www.mypaa.com.my. The first application deadline is Monday, 19 August 2013. Successful recipient will be announced in early September 2013. Further enquiries can be emailed to ragfund@mypaa.com.my.

About My Performing Arts Agency (MyPAA)

A member of the International Society of Performing Arts (ISPA), MyPAA is a privately owned arts agency with the express goal of supporting the continuing development of artistic and cultural efforts in Malaysia by bridging the gap between the public, private and performing arts sector.

Mahatma Gandhi’s “Be the Change That We Want To See” sets out very simply the mission statement of this agency. MyPAA aims to create an ecosystem that supports an environment for creative entrepreneurs, nurture a diverse and highly skilled arts workforce and increase the number of people experiencing the arts. For more information about MyPAA, visit mypaa.com.my or like us at facebook.com/myperformingartsagency.

For media enquiries:

Azimy Wan Ahmad

Strategic Events & Communications Manager @ Imagineer

T: (603) 6207 9566 E: azimy@mypaa.com.my

To Dream a Ballerina’s Dream at Damansara Performing Arts Centre

A for apple; B for boy; C for cat; D for Dancing; You can hear voices, some reading out loudly while others busy talking, coming from within the classroom. From outside the classroom, you can hear sounds of running feet and laughter of children while chasing each other out. Such were the scenes you sometimes reminisce of lives during our younger days. Those were the most precious moments of all, living a simple life and yet full of happiness even without the privilege of owning a handphone, Ipad, laptop or other form of modern electronic gadgets.

In the dance of ‘D for Dancing 2013’, let us dance with our dreams, movement, immigration and the space of time where we are.“D for Dancing 2013” the in-house dance program of Damansara Performing Arts Centre(DPAC), which aims to cultivate artistic exchanges in professional practices by presenting inspirational local dance performances, and also inviting international dance artists for collaborative residencies. From classical ballet to contemporary dance, “D for Dancing” is uniquely dedicated to dance enthusiasts through the introduction of expressive performance and organising dance-related workshops, talks and performance previews.

“D for Dancing 2013” will present “To Dream a Ballerina’s Dream”, “La Vittesse Complexe” with Mauvais Chausson Dance Theatre from Taiwan and Contemporary Season “In A Space of Time” in July, August and September 2013. “To Dream a Ballerina’s Dream”, is to be performed by 8 young outstanding student dancers from the Dancer's Training Programme Classical Ballet Season 2013. With a view to cultivate artistic exchanges, high quality international dance artists from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan has been invited for the purpose of collaborative residencies and to provide dancers training in professional practices.

DPAC Dance Company (DDC) is formed along with the establishment of Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC). With the wonderful choreography by their artistic director, the former dancer of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Wong Jyh Shyong, together with the collaboration of quality international dance artists and brilliant performance by DPAC Dance Company. DDC aims to cultivate with local dancers from DPAC Dancer’s Training Program and also collaborative project between Malaysia and international dance artists

48 hours of Bukit Bintang in #48 by The Print Room

#48 is an experiment in pressure photography, sleeplessness creativity and having the tenacity to just keep shooting. 8 photographers, one mentor scoured the crowded streets and seedy back alleys surrounding Bukit Bintang, some snatching a few minutes sleep here and there, others catching none, all eventually descending into a hazy, dreamlike state of shooting, with only their Whatsapp group and comical Instagram pictures keeping them connected and fueled.

Bukit Bintang, alive at all times of the day and night is an area where you can only begin to imagine the unexpected. From markets to street sellers and women of the night through to starkly contrasted high end luxury shops and bars, Bukit Bintang holds close to its streets the secrets of all walks of life.

As the photographers trod its pavement, navigated its back alleys and rested on its steps, Bukit Bintang revealed itself piece by piece, unraveling it’s tales of destitution, sometimes success, but mostly of lost opportunity and backward looks. And as the printing began and the images became clearer under the red lamps of the dark room each photographer’s small piece of Bukit Bintang came to life once again, and it is this that #48 hopes to represent.

#48 runs from 6 July till 18 August 2013 at The Print Room. For more information, log on to http://theprintroomkl.com

Malaysian Landscape from the eyes of Eric Peris

Sutra Foundation is proud to present photography exhibition Earth.Water.Sky by distinguished Malaysian photographer Eric Peris. In this exhibition, Eric revisits his old haunts of classic Malaysian landscapes which are close to our heart. The images, most of which are no longer in existent, evoke memories of pristine times in rural Malaysia when Earth/Water/Sky are ubiquitously present in our everyday activities augment by the coexistence of the surrounding environment with nature.

Peris, who worked as a journalist with the New Straits Times Group, was more inclined towards painting, the influence of his artist parents. However, his first trip to the north-an assignment, armed with camera to interview the Sultan of Kedah in Alor Setar- revealed the regality of another kind. That of Mother Nature’s landscapes. Since then Peris has been documenting his scenic sojourns with photographic canvases. The 18 special images in this month-long exhibition of Earth. Water. Sky., which he terms as ‘window views’ most probably no longer exist today.

The exhibition which will be officiated by art connoisseur and lawyer, Fatimah Sulaiman, will be happening on the 7th July, 2013 at 8pm at Sutra Gallery. More information at www.sutrafoundation.org.my

More artworks:

Projek Disko Baldi hits the stage with Dreams and TV screens with The Disko Baldi Show

Sketch comedy ensemble, Projek Disko Baldi, who recently won the Kakiseni Audience Choice Award (Theatre) at the recent 10th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, is back with another feature stage show, Dreams. Produced by Playground Productions, the 90-minute sketch show will be staged from 27th-30th June 2013 at PJ Live Arts and will feature sketches that will look at the flipside of our dreams, hopes and ambitions.

The bilingual performance is filled with the ensemble’s trademark zany sketches and original songs. Projek Disko Baldi is made up of theatre practitioners Ashraf Zain, Farah Rani, Iedil Putra, Megat Sharizal, Redza Minhat, Shamaine Othman, Sherry Abdullah and Tuan Faisal who worked together to write the sketches and songs.

Artistic Director of Playground Productions Megat Sharizal said, “ We are exploring the idea of dreams because we find that it’s a theme that is relatable to almost anyone. Everybody has dreams for themselves, loved ones and also for the country, so, we decided to have fun with that.”

“The stage show is also happening a week before the debut of our tv show, The Disko Baldi Show, a comedy sketch show, produced in collaboration with Phuture Phlow Films and will debut on Sunday, 7th July, 10.30pm on 8TV. To have our very own comedy sketch show was definitely a dream come true for the ensemble”, added Megat.