A Philharmonic Winds Of Malaysia concert at the arts space REXKL last year. REXKL was formerly the old Rex cinema in Chinatown. Photo: REXKL
The idea of repurposing old or abandoned buildings and turning them into creative spaces and giving them a new lease of life is not an uncommon practice in major cities.
London’s famous art museum, the Tate Modern, was once the Bankside Power Station and New York’s Capital Repertory Theatre used to be a downtown Grand Cash Market supermarket.
Gallery: Art in repurposed old buildings
A Philharmonic Winds Of Malaysia concert at the arts space REXKL last year. REXKL was formerly the old Rex cinema in Chinatown. Photo: REXKL
An open studio weekend at the Zhongshan building in KL. Photo: Filepic
Rumah Tangsi, built in 1905, was once a townhouse and a hotel (Empire Hotel), before it was turned into an arts hub. The secretariat of the KL World Book Capital 2020 is also based at Rumah Tangsi. Photo: The Star/Sam Tham
A digital work featured at the iNyala exhibition at REXKL last year. Photo: Helios Loo
The KL Shakespeare Players performing at an arts bazaar in Sentul Depot, KL last year. Photo: Tan Chun Cheuh
The Seni Tiga monthly series has made KongsiKL a hub for contemporary dance. Photo: Azmil Photography
A music performance at the Tandang Records Store at the Zhongshan building in 2018. Photo: All Is Amazing
The family-fun arts market Pasar Seloka series at Rumah Tangsi last December. Photo: Rumah Tangsi
A scene from Teater Modular: Redux by Ridhwan Saidi, which took place at Serambi Karya in November 2019. Photo: Serambi Karya
KongsiKL has built a name for itself by supporting experimental-minded multi-disciplinary works. Photo: Low Pey Sien
KongsiKL is located at the 40-year-old Gudang Yee Seng 2 in Old Klang Road, KL. Photo: KongsiKL
The Singing Balcony series at the Zhongshan building has made opera works more accessible for the masses. Photo: Verses
Serambi Karya Bellamy, an unused government bungalow in KL, has emerged as a venue for theatre, literary events and folk music gigs. Photo: Serambi Karya Bellamy
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