At the 'Harimau Sembunyi Arnab Melompat Tinggi' independent arts event in KL Chinatown, you can learn about wood block prints and more. Photo: Handout
CNY ARTS: 'HARIMAU SEMBUNYI ARNAB MELOMPAT TINGGI'
Venues: Lostgens’, Findars and Moutou, Jalan Panggung, Chinatown, KL
Date: Jan 28 and 29, 10am-10pm
The two-day "Panggung Lapan" art weekend returns this Saturday and Sunday with a series of festive events at independent arts venues Findars, Lostgens' and Moutou (all located in the same No. 8 building on Jalan Panggung) in the KL Chinatown area. Findars will be hosting a pop-up arts and craft event to celebrate the Harimau Sembunyi Arnab Melompat Tinggi event.
There will also be ticketed events at Lostgens' for community craft activities, including CNY wood block print, letterpress printing and ang pow letterpress sessions. Not to forget a CNY Children's Paper Clay Crafting Workshop, presented by sculptor/artist Douglas Ho. An art exhibition, featuring printmaking and more, will also be held at the venue.
The Moutou venue (with an excellent rooftop stage and view) will be presenting a CNY indie gig this Saturday (8pm onwards, ticketed). Artistes include Euseng Seto, Azmyl Yunor, StrawLim and Karpet Terbang.
More info here.
The in-demand Yi Meng Lion Art troupe will be presenting a ticketed performance at REXKL's main hall this weekend. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
YI MENG LION ART: LION DANCE PERFORMANCE
Venue: REXKL, Jalan Sultan, KL
Date: Jan 28 and 29, noon
Presented by Petaling Street Cultural Community Centre and Yi Meng Lion Art, the public is invited to catch two specially curated lion dance performances, where not only can they catch one of Malaysia’s best lion dance troupes but also learn more about the rich traditions and nuances of the lion dance via a sharing session and Q&A after each performance. Entry is RM30 to the REXKL venue's main hall.
Additionally, the public can stay for Yi Meng Lion Art’s "Kids Lion Dance Performances" happening at the same hall this weekend at 3pm with entry by donation. And to occupy the little ones in-between performances, a lion dance head-making workshop will be held (limited spaces) with two sessions at 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
More info here.
Yap is presenting his oil painting exhibition 'Eternal Love' at GMBB in KL. Photo: Handout
YAP HONG NGEE: 'ETERNAL LOVE'
Venue: GMBB, Jalan Robertson, KL
Date: Jan 28 to Feb 12
If you want roses, this is the show to bowl you over. Veteran artist Yap Hong Ngee is adding a huge slice of romance to the festive season, leading up to Valentine's day.
His Eternal Love exhibition at GMBB has an interesting – and cute – backstory. Since 1995, Yap has been creating and painting roses, and he has kept the Valentine's theme going through the years, even during the pandemic.
Yap, who is turning 80 this year, started by painting small art pieces. He has collected 120 of his artworks for this new exhibition, which runs daily, 11am to 8pm.
More info here.
A general view of artist Red Hong Yi's 'Once Upon A Longtang' art installation at the National Art Gallery in KL. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani
ART: RED HONG YI'S 'MY ALLEYWAY OF MEMORIES: ONCE UPON A LONGTANG'
Venue: National Art Gallery, KL
Date: ends March 2023
The National Art Gallery has gone all old world Shanghai and CNY festive with multi-disciplinary artist Red Hong Yi's latest site-specific exhibition My Alleyway Of Memories: Once Upon A Longtang, which has been attracting quite a buzz.
The installation features a series of artworks "painted" with burnt Chinese calligraphy paper, and features scenes inspired by old alleyway houses – or "Longtang" houses in Shanghai.
"These houses are dear to me because my father and grandparents lived there, and I got to live there and reconnect with my roots in 2011-2013. These old houses are also quickly disappearing to make way for urban development," says Red Hong Yi about the new installation.
Free admission.
More info here.
Ismail Awi's ‘Pretty Visitor’ (acrylic on canvas, 2022), which is part of the 'Young, Wild And Free' exhibition at Galeri Puteh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Ismail Awi
ART: YOUNG, WILD AND FREE
Venue: Galeri Puteh, KL Eco City Mall
Date: ends Feb 19
Galeri Puteh, a new contemporary arts space in Bangsar, is focusing on young and emerging artists in its new group show Young, Wild And Free.
Once you walk into the gallery, printmaker Ika Sharom's surreal "nature and kebaya-wearing ladies" new work might just stop you in your tracks, while Silas Oo Wei Sheng goes the opposite way, with an abstract piece reflecting art and emotion.
On the "rabbit" front, you can check out Danielle Lin Xuan-En, with her depictions of broken soft toys and sentimental memorabilia. Further along, Ridhwan Yusof and Ismail Alwi's latest works also suit the mood of the festive season.
For art lovers and collectors looking for new names and works, there just be something for you at this show.
More info here.
The 'Poetic Spring Garden' installation seen at Kwai Chai Hong in KL's Chinatown. Photo: Bernama
ART INSTALLATION: 'POETIC SPRING GARDEN'
Venue: Kwai Chai Hong, Lorong Panggung, KL
Date: ends Feb 12, 9am to midnight daily
Kwai Chai Hong, a historic laneway in KL's Chinatown, brings the magic of Chinese New Year to life with its "Poetic Spring Garden' installation.
This immersive themed set-up is also geared up to welcome the "Rabbit", with artist Jaemy C's Wet Hot Spring Thing works, offering hidden cryptic messages for visitors to discover amid the pink rabbits, oversized blossoms and foliage.
As you navigate the maze of Chinese calligraphy art, flowers and glowing lanterns in this transformed space, you can also take a breather on the Bamboo Calligraphy Swing Structure and try to figure out its quirky presentation.
Free admission.
More info here.
