dots AND lines

World Environment Day has just recently passed (5 June 2006), whether you know it or not, there is (there will always be!) a celebration for it to increase our awareness on issues that matters. (^_^)”"”

In Malaysia, Global Environment Centre in partnership with KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) are all set todo just that. Here’s what they got to say in their site.

For their venues and schedules, check them out here.

P/S: Seriously check out their site. Their logo I think looks superb!

Psst… Did you hear that? It’s Voices From Next Door compilation CD! It’s out now!

Check this CD out! It’s a physically-monotonous-black-and-white, double-CD compilation by our very own local singer/song writers! Each CD consists of 12 tracks lasting up to 40 minutes each, with various different genres. Initiated by Troubadours Enterprise, as a part of their KL Sing Song ‘06 project, this CD helps to promote the lesser known talents from the non-main stream entertainment.

The CD market price should RM 35.

Check the visuals and infos at this blog. Ian Chow, one of the featured artiste, has also mention about this CD in his blog.

fusionWAVE is now urging for any interested designer to become part of their project in designing skins for a virtual character, Dweey. Here’s what they got to say:
What it’s all about?
Dweey needs a wardrobe upgrade and she wants YOU to be the outfit designer!

This is also an on going activity where there are no deadlines involved. All works submitted will be featured in our Gallery section. Selected works will also be showcased in our November 2006 Fusionwave Design Exhibition, Malaysia.

Objective
To create a fun interactive activity where all who loves design and characters will be united to unleash their creative potentials, and share their passion towards art and creation with people all across the globe.

For more infos, check out their site Dweey.com or fusionWAVE

Date: 14 and 15 July 2006
Venue: KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC)
Presented by: Troubadours Enterprise

~ KL Sing Song 2006 is proud to be part of KL Fest 2006 ~

KL SING SONG
The first KL Sing Song 2006 was held in April 2005, featuring eight regional and local singer songwriters who came together to perform, hold dialogues and workshops. The event was presented by Artsee.net, sponsored by funds from Arts Network Asia, with support from International College of Music (ICOM) and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. The event was organised by Artsee.net in collaboration with Troubadours Enterprise. This year, KL Sing Song 2006 is organised by Troubadours Enterprise, with support from Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and KL Performing Arts Centre. KL Sing Song 2006 is proud to be listed as one of the events of KL Fest 2006.

OBJECTIVE
KL Sing Song 2006 aims to create a platform where Malaysians can come together to appreciate the talents of local singer songwriters, further encouraging the development of local music, in line with the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage’s vision of bringing the arts closer to the people. KL Sing Song 2006 is the only workshop and performance event in Malaysia to focus solely on singer songwriters, which we feel is an exciting genre with a lot of potential for growth in the future, especially in terms of exposing our talents overseas.

For more info, check:
| Troubadours Enterprise | KL Sing Song | KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) | Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage |

“This moment deserves your full attention, for it will not pass your way again!”

7 art disciplines, 7 exhibitions, 7 breathtaking events. On this 7th of July, Galleriiizu commemorates the final day of its spectacular 7 series, one of the most successful art exhibition series in the history of Malaysian art. Over the last 7 months, Galleriiizu has showcased a inimitable variety of contemporary art, initiated enthralling discussions, provided forums even to niche art movements and have been visited by more than 5000 visitors.

Discover our new world of 7|7: Opportunities:
1 • Opportunities for Friends
2 • Opportunities for Collectors
3 • Opportunities for Members
4 • Opportunities for Individual Partners
5 • Opportunities for Corporate Partners
6 • Opportunities for Art Lovers
7 • Opportunities Online

For more, go here.

1 July 2006

I had been waiting for this day ever since I got to know about the launch early June. So not wanting to miss out on buying this precious issue I drop by at the gallery ridiculously early at 10.30 only to know not even the mag distributor had sent any stock, and the owner was yet to be in. Haha… (©_©)”"”

Anyway, I befriended with 1 intern there from KBU, named J. Thanks to her, I got some reason to spend my day there. It was not for long when I noticed the launch was, in fact, in a bigger preparation. Izu and the publisher of Territory had invited some designers featured in the bookazine to showcase their artwork there as well.

There’s my favourite (^_^), Junko Kawashima (junkokawashima.com), an illustrator from Tokyo, who uses simple pen lines to produce an masterpiece of her kind. And knowing that she’s quite well-known in Tokyo, it was an honour to be able to help her set up her artworks there, get her “name-post-card” with her signature, take her photo, shake hands with her and communicate in a “chicken-duck” manner… (ask the Chinese, if you don’t get what this mean)

Then there’s 2 guys from Bangkok2 (no typo error, that’s their name, and from Bangkok, of course!). 1 a pure designer, another uses programming to create artwork! His piece did stir up Izu’s interest! And mine as well. And they are generous enough to have some posters for giveaway.

There’s Michael Dawidowicz from Urban Collective based in Melbourne, Australia. Another cool guy. Here’s some funny conversation.
Michael: Here’s my article. (He showed me and Junko of the page in Territory written about Urban Collective. It was almost at the end of the book.) It’s at the back of this book…
Me: They say, save the best for the last.
Michael: Well… Uh…
Me: Why not?
Michael: Yeah, why not!

There’s another Japanese female there, which I can’t get to know her name as she’s pretty silent. And each time I talked to her, I seemed to scare her away. Nonetheless, there are also lotsa others local designers around there, freelance and not, to help out.

The launch includes a Japanese drum performance by a group of Japanese and they are literally heart-pounding! Also, talks by each of the invited designers and some other special guests.

Overall, cool stuff!

Note: The reason there’s so many Japanese influence for the launch is because the theme for this volume of Territory is Japan Fever.

Finally, it's about time Malaysia's capital has its own festival this year! Kuala Lumpur Festival 2006, Di sini semaraknya seni! It will be held through the whole month of July, throughout various KL locations with its launch at Istana Budaya at 9 pm.

If you are a person who is deeply interested in Malaysian traditional dance, songs and crafts, then this will be a heaven for you. Most of the programmes organised are mainly of these.

But not necessary that there's no place for others. There's 1 with I was indirectly involved in, KL SING SONG 2006, which will be held at KL Pac on 14-15 July organised by Troubadours Enterprise. Here, they will definitely have performances featuring local singer songwriters (not traditional by the way) and workshops conducted by them as well. Mainly targeted on "young adults, who have interests in new and innovative forms of arts and entertainments". Related but not on spot, they are going to have a compilation of 2 CDs launch as well titled Voices from Next Door. Check it out! Seriously, give some support on local art scene! Hehe…

For information:
Jabatan Kebudayaan & Kesenian Negara,
Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian & Warisan Malaysia,
Tingkat 30, Menara TH Perdana,
1001 Jln Sultan Ismail, 50694 KL.
W: www.heritage.gov.my
T: +603.2612.7651
F: +603.2697.5606

No. 11, Lorong Permai
Off Jalan Syed Putra
Robson Heights
50460, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Lost Gen Space is, in fact, a place where they occasionally hold some art-related events. I have been into this place where they combined several things into one. Presentation of poem recitation, musical performance and movie screening, as well as exhibition of artworks along their walls and sculptures every here and there.

The location itself is a huge bungalow rather than any actual art gallery centre. They eventually transform the whole area into several different spaces. There is the hall for any performance and screening, some rooms for certain type of visual art installation, and the rest of the place may be workspace for art (including the compound).

Aside from any celebration/festival that they might be involved, they also organised an yearly event called Notthatbalai. Here, they will have performances which are quite good (except for some movie screenings that I find quite dull. Not their fault, blame it on the directors…) and even workshops in making some cool artwork (T-shirt printing, stencils…).

Here's an article that mention Lost Gen Space and here's their actual link.

Note: I have met 1 of their committee. She mentioned that they might be taking a time off for a year or so but so far I have yet to see any sign of closing at the moment. Maybe they won't. (^_^) Hey, if there's any pure art lovers out there, they are!