RogueArt, an independent art consultancy based in Kuala Lumpur, presents a series of public talks on “Where Art Happens”, made possible with the kind support of Sime Darby Foundation.
Malaysia’s art scene has evolved significantly over the past ten years, with an active collectors’ market and growing numbers of emerging artists and art graduates joining the fray. Increasingly, contemporary Malaysian artists are exhibiting on an international level. Yet there is little awareness about local artists, exhibitions and events among our general public.
In the face of social, political and economic change, where does art find its place in Malaysian society today? How do artists make themselves visible to the public? Why is art relevant to the wider society, how do we make it relevant? How do we build or reinforce a sustainable infrastructure for art in Malaysia?
“Where Art Happens” aims to introduce questions and open discussions of how art is presented to and supported by the larger community. Museum and gallery directors, corporate sponsors, art managers, art patrons, and artists, both in Malaysia and from the Southeast Asian region, come together to share their experiences and ideas.
“Where Art Happens” is presented in three parts:
13 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Art Spaces: Policies, Agendas, Ways Forward investigates different kinds of spaces where art is presented, from national institutions to independent artist-run spaces; we find out more about the programmes, policies and aims of these spaces and what they offer to artists and the public. Speakers include Hasnul Jamal Saidon Director of Galeri & Muzium Tuanku Fauziah (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Ahmad bin Mashadi Head of NUS Museum, Singapore and Agung Hujatnikajennong of Selasar Sunaryo (Bandung, Indonesia).
20 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Getting Out There: Art in the Community looks at the way in which artists and artist collectives have engaged with the community through on-the-ground projects, often invited or supported by public/private sector institutions.
Key local initiatives such as Let Arts Move You, which brought art to KTM commuters in 2007, and the Contemporary Art In School project in 2008, as well as the public programme at the Jakarta Biennale 2009, will be presented. Leading artists such as Amanda Heng from Singapore and Tran Luong from Vietnam will talk about interacting with the public in their work. Versatile arts and media innovator Mark Teh will talk about his involvement with Chow Kit Fest, and Five Arts’ Theatre in Education projects. Arthub’s Defne Ayas and Davide Quadrio will talk about projects held in China in social inter-spaces.
27 June 2009 (10.45 am – 4pm): Feeding Creativity: Art Residencies & Grants
Artists need time, funding and space to explore and develop new ideas. Travelling to and residing in different places also encourages exchange and builds networks.
Here we discuss different types of art residencies and funding available locally and in the region. Private patrons and corporate sponsors have been the most active in supporting artists in Malaysia: Rimbun Dahan, RBS-Malihom AIR Programme, HOM (Matahati), Krishen Jit-ASTRO Fund present their programmes, while Mella Jaarsma co-founder of Cemeti Art House in Jogjakarta speaks about their Landing Soon residency project made possible with an award from the Rockefeller Foundation. Malaysian artists also speak about their experiences on residency programmes in Malaysia, China, Korea, Vietnam, the USA and other exotic places.
“Where Art Happens” will be held at 19, Jalan Berangan, Kuala Lumpur. It is open to the public, and admission is free. However, please contact RogueArt at 016-2667413, contact@rogueart.asia to make a reservation as seating is limited.
List of Speakers include:
1) Art Spaces:
NUS Museum Singapore: Ahmad Mashadi
Agung Hujatnikajennong –Selasar Sunaryo, Bandung, Indonesia
Ahmad Shukri Mohamed—Patisatu (Artist-run-space)
Pang Khee Theik, Art Programmes Director, The Annexe Gallery
The National Art Gallery Malaysia
2) Art in the Community:
Contemporary Art In Schools (CAIS) –Headmistress of Stella Maris High School & Yap Sau Bin (Rumah Air Panas)
Ade Darmawan (ruangrupa artistic director, programme director of Jakarta Biennale 2009)
Amanda Heng (artist, Singapore)
Tran Luong (artist, Vietnam)
Mark Teh, Five Arts Center
Davide Quadrio, Director Arthub
Defne Ayas, Director Arthub
3) Art Residencies & Grants:
Rahel Joseph, Writer & Arts Manager
MATAHATI Collective –about Matahati Foundation Grant
Stephanie Yeap –RBS Malihom Artist in Residence Programme
Mella Jaarsma –Cemeti Art House/Landing Soon Programme
Marion D’ Cruz –Krishen Jit-ASTRO Fund
Sharon Lai (Bacardi Martini, Bombay Brand Manager) Bombay Sapphire Art Projects
Ahmad Fuad Osman –Vermont Studios, Goyang Residency (S. Korea)
Chang Yoong Chia –Rimbun Dahan Residency
Roslisham Ismail aka Ise –Residency King –India with Khoj, Vietnam with A Little Blah Blah, Australia with Gunnery etc etc
