With the Government's movement control order (MCO) back on in Kuala Lumpur, many arts spaces and galleries in the capital are again having to postpone or cancel shows.
But this time, contemporary arts space Lostgens’ is prepared.
Even though its doors in Chinatown, KL are now temporarily closed to the public, its current project Topography Of Mirror Cities – Reshaping: History, Community And Identity will continue to run entirely online.
The project has multiple components, namely, a visual art segment with artists Aisyah Baharuddin, Chin Chun Wei, Chong Kim Chiew and Tan Chee Hon; short films screenings, performance art, forums and archival material.
With the exception of the on-site visual art show (now closed) this month, everything else was designed specifically for the project’s online programme.
You don't have to live in Kuala Lumpur to give this extensive exhibition and art project a walk-through. The visual art exhibits and more are now available for viewing online on the Lostgens’ website.
“With the rise in Covid-19 cases, we decided to close the art space in the interest of public safety and everyone involved with the project.
“This is a project that was conceived a year ago, with its original plan to include performances and heritage tours around the city. We postponed it when the pandemic struck last year but now we are ready to proceed with Plan B, where we make all content available on our website, ” says exhibition curator/artist/researcher Yeoh Lian Heng, who founded Lostgens’, a multidisciplinary arts platform, in 2004.
Topography Of Mirror Cities, a show divided into three sections, carries the theme "History, Community, Identity." The exhibition focuses on the impact of urban development on human ecology, our shared history and memories. A decline in cultural history awareness due to the demolishment of historic sites or disappearance from the everyday – be it in mainstream discussion, conversation or education – has led to increasing distrust among the different communities.
The first part of the exhibition - now online - presents the ongoing artistic dialogue on the show's themes, with virtual discussions, performances, short films and lectures.
The second curatorial part will present some examples of community residents, artists and architectures’ efforts to preserve cultural history in cities and fringe areas. The third part of the exhibition is the artist’s investigation into how unchecked urban development has erased entire landscapes, especially in Malaysian cities.
“Through our efforts in running an art space and organising community art projects since 2004, we can see a lack of understanding between the different groups in Malaysia.
"While the reasons behind this are many, I think what is clear is that Malaysians are in danger of losing our way. There is a pressing need for us to rediscover our nation’s history, culture and identity, and to keep channels open for such discussions, ” says Yeoh.
Perhaps a starting point could be any of the short films that will be screened for free.
Among them are World Without Shadow (2011), a documentary on wayang kulit directed by Khoo Eng Yow; Warisan (2014), which tells of the fight to preserve Kampung Bandar Dalam, Kampung Railway and Jalan Sultan, directed by Wong Siew Ki; and a glimpse into the lives of migrant workers and their struggles in Unsung (2017), directed by Sanjaythiyan Santhian.
Nadira Ilana’s The Silent Riot (2013), which won Best Human Rights Documentary at the Freedom Film Festival in 2012, is also on the list.
As viewers navigate through the Topography Of Mirror Cities exhibition, the online content - neatly organised - considers the following questions: Who are we? What is our culture and history? How do we revise our direction for the future generations?
It invites the public to join this conversation.
This exhibition is a part of a larger project encompassing six Asian cities titled Topography Of Mirror Cities, led by chief curator Sandy Hsiu-Chih Lo from Taiwan.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
