Weekend for the arts: Raito Low's short films, KL Colour District exhibition
SHORT FILM: RAITO LOW ANIMATED SHORTS SCREENING

Venue: Khatulistiwa, Dataran Cascades, Petaling Jaya

Date: May 18, 8pm

In Petaling Jaya, the KLEX Fest's "ExScreen" series is hosting a solo stop-motion animation screening event on Saturday by Malaysian filmmaker-artist Raito Low Jing Yi, featuring seven of her works.

If you're a short film enthusiast, this homecoming session is definitely worth checking out.

Currently residing in Taiwan, Low will present this Saturday's "ExScreen" programme and participate in a post-show Q&A session. Fissio, a homage to the camera, and Frauen-Liebe: Blumentanz, which explores the connection between plants and womanhood, are featured in the line-up.

Remaining faithful to the core of experimental animation, Low also incorporates Taiwanese landscapes and indigenous communities into her short films, adding depth and richness to her artistic expression.

Low's films have graced the screens of more than 100 film festivals, seamlessly blending feminism and the wonders of nature in a distinctive visual style. Additionally, she showcased a collaborative piece at last year's Matsu Biennial, held on Nangan Island in Taiwan's Matsu archipelago.

Admission to the "ExScreen" series, featuring Low, is by donation: RM20.

More info here.

At the 'Kuala Lumpur Colour District' exhibition in the New Chow Kit market, you can explore how food waste from downtown Kuala Lumpur is transformed into natural dyes. Photo: Dunia Motif

KUALA LUMPUR COLOUR DISTRICT EXHIBITION

Venue: New Chow Kit Market (Pasar Raja Bot), Kuala Lumpur

Date: ends May 19, 8am-1.30pm

Inspired by Chow Kit market, the Kuala Lumpur Colour District (KLCD) exhibition combines community art with eco-friendly practices to tackle food waste.

At the exhibition, led by Dunia Motif, you’ll get the chance to see how food waste is repurposed from the bustling wet market scene in Chow Kit.

“Imagine 1.5 Eiffel Towers stacked up daily – that is the amount of waste in weight we add on everyday to our landfills. It's a staggering reality that we’re striving to change through projects like KLCD,” says Ummi Junid, founder of Dunia Motif.

“The choice of Chow Kit as the venue reflects the area's rich cultural tapestry and market life that inspired the project, underscoring the project's message that art is accessible to all,” she adds.

In the exhibition, the participating artists create natural dyes for displays, reducing the environmental impact of food waste. Through workshops and exhibitions, KLCD also aims to empower individuals to take action towards building more sustainable communities.

More info here.

THEATRE: 'SACCHARINE'

Venue: KLPac

Date: ends May 19

Themes of robots and artificial intelligence are increasingly making their mark on theatre narratives, reflecting the profound influence of modern-day technology on human experiences and relationships.

In Saccharine, written by Arsyad Azrai and directed by Christopher Ling, The Actors Studio Foundation dives deep into the realm of AI and its impact on coping with loss.

Fikri, the protagonist, honours his late father, a master puppetmaker, by creating a robot replica. Through this endeavour, Fikri confronts their shared memories and seeks reconciliation.

Saiful Wazien portrays the puppetmaker-father, returning to KLPac as an actor after directing Wirasa Enam Cherita in February, while Aidil Rosli makes his KLPac debut as the son striving to understand his father's passion for puppets. The play is predominantly in Bahasa Malaysia with some English dialogue.

More info here.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is hosting an Open Day (free admission) this Saturday to celebrate International Museum Day. Photo: IAMM

OPEN DAY: ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM MALAYSIA

Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Date: May 18, 10am to 5pm

In conjunction with International Museum Day this weekend, Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is hosting its annual open day, where everyone can visit the museum for free.

In line with this year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research”, IAMM aims to underscore its work in fostering learning, discovery and cultural understanding.

The double-header 25th-anniversary IAMM shows – A Journey Through Islamic Art and Alif Lam Ra: Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy – are definitely the main attractions.

There will also be traditional music performances throughout the day on May 18, such as angklung, dikir barat and kompang, as well as fun activities such as a storytelling session, games and interactive gallery trails.

More info here.

This Sunday, Rimbun Dahan's French resident artists - Pascal Marquilly, Rodolphe Collange, and Nicolas Tourte - will present a work-in-progress of their shadow theatre piece, 'Since We Are Looking At The Stars, Somebody Must Need Them.' Photo: Rimbun Dahan

SHADOW THEATRE: SINCE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE STARS ...

Venue: Rimbun Dahan, Kuang, Selangor

Date: May 19, 7.30pm

This Sunday evening, three Rimbun Dahan resident artists from France – Pascal Marquilly, Rodolphe Collange, and Nicolas Tourte – will present a work-in-progress showing of their shadow theatre creation, Since We Are Looking At The Stars, Somebody Must Need Them.

The (walk-in, free admission) event will take place at The Dance Studio in Rimbun Dahan, an independent arts space. This performance combines intricate shadow play techniques with evocative storytelling, promising an engaging and immersive experience for attendees.

Under the artistic direction of Marquilly, with sound composition by Collange and video creation Tourte, the public can look forward to a shadow theatre featuring original sound and video art that explores representations of nature.

"We have sketched out a mechanical shadow theatre that aims to question our representations of nature," reads a statement about the project.

The performance, inspired by wayang kulit in Kelantan, will last about 30 minutes, followed by Q&A and discussion with the artists.

More info here.

A view of the 'Forged By Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary' exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Bernama

EXHIBITION: 'FORGED BY TIME: ONO KANG'S VISUAL DIARY'

Venue: Level 3, Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur

Date: ends May 25

Penang-based installation artist and sculptor, Ono Kang, returns to Kuala Lumpur with his latest solo exhibition, Forged By Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary, now showing at a sizeable - and atmospheric - hall in Fahrenheit88.

Relishing his "scrapyard curator" and tinkerman role, Kang is exhibiting a collection of George Town "artefacts", ranging from old furniture to discarded industrial machinery. They serve as the inspiration for his sculptures and installations, vividly recounting his childhood memories and experiences.

This new exhibition, which is a fun and quirky experience for art lovers and the curious masses, features 16 installations, each one playing a life-affirming part in Kang's story, where family, heritage, and art matter most.

Presented by ArtisFair, founded by Bernard Chandran, the exhibition is open daily from 11am to 9pm, except Mondays, with free admission.

More info here.

A visitor takes a closer look at one of the exhibits at the 'Ningyo: Art And Beauty Of Japanese Dolls' show in Muzium Negara in KL. Photo: Bernama

CULTURAL EXHIBITION: 'NINGYO: ART AND BEAUTY OF JAPANESE DOLLS'

Venue: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur

Date: ends July 8

Kuala Lumpur's Muzium Negara is presenting "Ningyo: Art And Beauty Of Japanese Dolls," an exhibition from Tokyo, running until July 8. Featuring 67 exhibits, it offers a diverse look into Japanese doll culture, from traditional archetypes to contemporary favourites (yes, some anime exhibits).

The showcase, curated by Mita Kakuyuki from the Tokyo National Museum, provides insight into the rich history and cultural significance of these dolls, capturing the essence of Japanese craftsmanship and storytelling.

The Japan Foundation KL, with support from the Department of Museums Malaysia, the Ministry of National Unity, and the Embassy of Japan, has brought this exhibition to Kuala Lumpur.

More info here.

The Quartet Seis Guitar Ensemble (from left) Koh Pei Wen, Seah Xiang Hong, Tee Hong Chu, Clara Tan Sze Yun, Desmond Lim Dao Wei and Ng Wen Kai. Photo: Handout

CLASSICAL MUSIC: QUARTET SEIS GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya

Date: May 19, 7.30pm

At Temu House, you can experience how art and music converge within the same gallery space. Immerse yourself in the colourful ambiance of 'The Lagu Raya Songbook' exhibition, running until May 26, while enjoying the classical melodies of the Quartet Seis Guitar Ensemble this Sunday evening.

Led by classical guitarist, Tee Hong Chu, the ensemble will delight audiences with renditions of works by Tchaikovsky, Boccherini, Mozart, de Falla, Granados, Piazzolla, Assad, featuring special arrangements for guitar quartet and duos.

Established in 2022, the ensemble comprises Koh Pei Wen, Seah Xiang Hong, Clara Tan Sze Yun, Desmond Lim Dao Wei, and Ng Wen Kai, having performed in various locations including Ipoh and Kedah, with upcoming performances scheduled in Melaka and Johor in the coming weeks.

More info here.
Arts,Muzium Negara,Rimbun Dahan,KLEX Fest,short film,exhibition,Dunia Motif,Ono Kang
A list of arts and culture events to check out in the Klang Valley this weekend and beyond