Love all thing artsy? Well, good news for all of you art enthusiasts out there.
Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017, a game changer in the visual art scene in Malaysia is scheduled to be held and exhibited to the public beginning 1st November 2017. The Kuala Lumpur Biennale (KLB) 2017 is the first ever biennale organised by the National Art Gallery (NAG). The theme of the KLB 2017 is “Alami Belas/ Be Loved”. Among the objectives of the KLB are: to expand NAG’s networking and collaboration opportunities; to drive the development at international level of the country’s contemporary art industry; to promote the image and profile of Malaysia, specifically making Kuala Lumpur as a must-visit world city; to place Malaysia among the Asian countries that are striving to elevate their creative industries to be competitive with the global creative industry; to nurture and foster Malaysia’s noble cultural values, and to inculcate compassion and love in order to create a harmonious, sustainable life. What does “Belas” mean? In English, it is quite close to the meaning of the phrase ‘be loved’ “Belas” refers to the sense of love that comes from the depth of the soul, and relates also to compassion, sincerity, happiness, honesty, hope and sustainability. Belas is an important aspect of living together in a shared space. This biennale’s theme of “Alami Belas/ Be Loved” highlights a plethora of social issues related to human reactions to and interactions with nature. The aim is to provide moments of contemplation to reassess various human actions and behaviours as reflected in the works by invited artists featured in the “Petals of Love” segment.
The opening ceremony of Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 was officiated by YB Dato’Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia at the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur on 23rd of November 2017. The exhibition is foreseen to stamp its presence in history as a new platform in the progression of the visual arts scene in Malaysia.
The exhibition will see a curatorial team appointed to lead the Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 by its host, the National Art Gallery. The team is led by Professor Zulkifli Yussof, an academician who is also an experienced local and international Malaysian Artist together with the curatorial team from the National Art Gallery namely Faizal Sidik, Tan Hui Koon and Baktiar Naim.The combination of inspired young curators is aimed to successfully uphold the main theme: BELAS (BELOVED) of the Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 Kuala Lumpur Biennale exhibition encompassing its BELAs theme celebrates 114 individuals from across continents consisting of 103 artists from Malaysia and 11 international artists. Local prolific artists who has expressed and showcased their art across the era will display their work in this years installation and they include, Awang Damit Ahmad, Sharmiza Abu Hassan, Bibi Che Chon Bee, Ahmad zaki Anwar.Jeganthan Hayati Mukhtar, Bayu Utomo Radikin, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Shooshie Sulaiman, Noor Azizan Paiman, H.H Lim, K Thangarajoo, F Abdul Muid Abdul Lisa Latif, Saiful Razman, Anniketyni Madian and more. Apart from that, BELAS will also exhibit memories of or heroes of local artists that has uplifted Malaysian national level which consist of Ahmad Jamal, Nirmala Shanmughalingam, O Don Peris and Anthony Lau.
Here’s sharing with you some of the beautiful exhibit at Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017.
A piece inspired by the Malaysian flag; Jalur Gemilang.
A piece known as ‘Temptation’
Innocent smile of a child being portrayed.
An artwork made from Cassava
Not sure what this upside down bicycle is supposed to represent, but there’s a guided video that goes along with it, so be sure to watch the video if you’re there at Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017.
An interesting but explicit piece being exhibited at Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017.
An aerial view of the world map.
An intricately done piece
In conjunction with the exhibition, Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 will also be supporting programs and inputs for the audience, so, if you are an art enthusiast, do come and join in the world class art event.
Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017 is opened to public from 1st November 2017 until 30th March 2018. Admission is free.
For more info on Kuala Lumpur Biennale 2017, please refer to the informatiom below:
National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara)
No.2 Jalan Termerloh
Off Jalan Tun Razak
53200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-40267122
Website: www.artgallery.gov.my