Malaysian artists explore Japanese culture through a hybrid exhibition

Novelist and playwright Ridhwan Saidi's short essay film 'Revisiting Hankyu Jaya' is featured in 'Kaleidoscope Japan: Online Exhibition', which begins today. Photo: JFKL

What does the Malaysia-Japan relationship look like in visual art, moving images, performance, music and literature?

Kaleidoscope Japan: Online Exhibition, which starts today, presents work from 13 Malaysian artists who reflect on their observations and hopes revolving around Japan and its relationship with Malaysia, from a social and cultural perspective, as well as the political and economical climate.

It is organised by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur.

This month-long exhibition (March 28 to April 24) is a hybrid presentation, comprising online and physical events.

It was meant to be showcased online, but with the recent easing of pandemic restrictions, new elements have been added to the exhibition.

Sabah-based contemporary artist Harold Egn Eswar's AutoCAD drawing, 'Dari Pagalan Ke Motoyasu'. Photo: JFKL

In the online Obento Lunch Tour (featuring non-video work) and Oshaberi Supper Tour (video-based work), visitors can delve into the inspiration behind the work and explore each artist’s narrative. This series of events will be held online (Zoom and Facebook Live on JFKL and Kaleidoscope Japan Facebook page).

Physical events include a 12-hour performance by Tung Jit Yang, Bryan Chang and Arief Hamizan at KongsiKL, starting from April 16. Titled EveryThoughtI’veEverHad: Contemplating The Origin Of The Sun, it will also be a virtual event on Twitch.

A screenshot from Roopesh Sitharan and Katsuyuki Hattori's 'Bertemu Sogu' video work. Photo: JFKL

Each week will see different events and discussions on the exhibition theme, starting with Week 1: Pandang Ke Mana?, followed by Week 2: Identity, Week 3: Myth And Phenomenon and Week 4: Spatial Memory.

The other participating artists are Azzad Diah, Blankmalaysia, Dhan Illiani Yusof, Harold Reagan Eswar (Egn), Jun Ong, Katsuyuki Hattori, Linus Chung, Ridhwan Saidi, Roopesh Sitharan, Wong Xiang Yi and Yvonne Tan, as well as ANGQASA, a music project by Alvin Seah who explores ambient and post rock soundscapes, and multidisciplinary art collective Shaman Tearoom (Aiwei Foo and Kent Lee).

The exhibition is curated by Low Pey Sien. Trained as an architect, she curated Di Situ: An Exhibition in 2021 under Curatorial Workshop 2020 organised by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur.

More info here.