DiverseCity 2016, also known as the Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival, ran from August 31st to October 2nd, 2016. The festival showcased a diverse range of artistic expressions, including visual arts, crafts, music, dance, and literature at various locations around Klang Valley in Malaysia. Many events were free to attend.
Taking place annually for five weeks at multiple venues in and around Kuala Lumpur, DiverseCity highlights the rich cultural tapestry of Malaysia and explores the country’s close relationship with the ASEAN community. Each year, the festival features a curated program of performing and visual arts.
The official launch ceremony coincided with Malaysia’s National Day on August 31st, 2016. Starting at 2:30 PM, the Centre Court on the Lower Ground Floor of Berjaya Times Square hosted a variety of performances. These included a mobile phone orchestra featuring Ng Chor Guan of Toccata on the theremin, syair singing, street dancing by Alam-ak, and the opening of the Dirgahayu photography exhibition.
Dirgahayu Photography Exhibition
August 31st, 2016
10 AM to 10 PM
Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square
September 1st to October 2nd, 2016
10 AM to 10 PM
Level 3, Avenue K
Curated by Rahman Roslan, this exhibition featured works from renowned Malaysian photographers Rahman Roslan, Ahmad Yusni, and Hasnoor Hussein. The photographs, connected by the theme “dirgahayu,” which translates to “long life,” offered a wish for longevity.
Festival Hub
Source: DiverseCity 2016. A work by Zac Lee.
September 1st to 30th (Tuesdays to Saturdays only)
11 AM to 7 PM
Shalini Ganendra Fine Art @ Gallery Residence
Shalini Ganendra Fine Art served as the festival hub, hosting an array of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and more. Featured artists included mixed media artist Zac Lee and sculptor Anniketyni Madian. Additionally, the PavilionNOW 2016 project, a shadow garden installation by Ar. Eleena Jamil, was on display. PavilionNOW aimed to celebrate local architecture and design talent, encouraging them to think outside traditional boundaries while providing a backdrop for DiverseCity 2016 performances.
Andy Warhol: Social Circus by The Ryan Foundation
Source: DiverseCity 2016. Warhol.
September 2nd to 19th, 2016
12 PM to 9 PM
Slate@The Row
Curated by lawyer and art collector Ryan Su, Andy Warhol: Social Circus showcased a unique collection of Andy Warhol Polaroids, marking the largest exhibition of its kind in Malaysia and Asia. The exhibition offered a glimpse into Warhol’s world, featuring Polaroids of prominent actors, artists, and fashion designers from the 1970s and 1980s. These Polaroids served as the inspiration for Warhol’s famous silkscreen portraits. Visitors to the exhibition were transported to Warhol’s studio, The Silver Factory, to experience the context and significance of these Polaroids.
Source: DiverseCity 2016. The Enchanted Forest.
The Enchanted Forest by Sandra Lee
September 3rd to 25th, 2016
10 AM to 5 PM
Ruang by ThinkCity, 3rd Floor, OCBC Building
The Enchanted Forest, a new commission by artist Sandra Lee, invited visitors to step into a whimsical world. Lee reimagined classic fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel, incorporating traditional Malaysian elements. Little Red Riding Hood donned a sarong kebaya and carried a basket of ang ku kueh, while Hansel and Gretel were dressed in traditional Malay costumes. The characters were set against a backdrop of recognizable Southeast Asian architectural features, such as attap houses, shophouses, and public housing flats, showcasing Lee’s appreciation for the region’s diverse architectural landscape.
Meraki (Moghul Miniatures) by Ami
August 31st to September 2nd, 2016
11 AM to 7:30 PM
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, Menara Sentral Vista
Meraki presented a collection of intricate miniature paintings by artist Ami. These meticulously crafted pieces, created on paper and faux ivory, explored the multifaceted theme of love. Drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of Indian miniature painting, Ami’s work aimed to capture the interconnectedness of humanity and divinity.
Sarawak Borneo Exotica
September 2nd, 2016, 8:30 PM
September 3rd, 2016, 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM
September 4th, 2016, 11 AM
Dataran DBKL (near the Kuala Lumpur Food Truck Feast)
Sarawak Borneo Exotica celebrated the diverse cultural heritage of Sarawak through a series of captivating musical and dance performances. Featuring cultural expressions from various communities including the Kenyah, Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Sarawak Malays, the performances highlighted the region’s rich artistic traditions. Adding a contemporary touch, modern and world music was also incorporated into the performances, often played on traditional Sarawakian instruments.
The 4 of Us
September 16th, 2016
8 PM to 9 PM
Shalini Ganendra Fine Art @ Gallery Residence
The 4 of Us Vocal Quartet, comprised of Malaysian singers Kathleen Roshene (soprano), Jacqueline Teng (alto), Andrew Sanjay George (tenor), and Wilson Tan (bass), treated audiences to an hour of enchanting a cappella music.
Live in Kuala Lumpur! Dmitry Maloletov
September 19th to 20th, 2016
8:30 PM
Experimental Theatre, The National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (ASWARA)
Russian guitarist, composer, writer, and producer Dmitry Ivanovich Maloletov showcased his extraordinary talent during his Live in Kuala Lumpur! performance. Known for his mastery of the unique “independent two-handed tapping” guitar technique, Maloletov captivated the audience with his exceptional skills. As the author of the only Russian-language textbook on applying piano-like techniques to the electric guitar, Maloletov shared his expertise with aspiring musicians.
Main Zapin
October 1st, 2016
8:30 PM
Panggung Anniversary
The National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (ASWARA) presented Main Zapin, a captivating showcase of the traditional Malay dance form, Zapin. Featuring twelve professional dancers, the performance highlighted various styles of Zapin from different states in Malaysia, including Zapin Putar Alam, Pekajang, Sebat, Terengganu, Salor, and more.
Jual Ubat: Dari Stesen ke Stesen Monodrama Tour
September 4th, 2016
8:30 PM to 10 PM
KTM Kuala Lumpur
Jual Ubat: Dari Stesen ke Stesen was a powerful monologue performed and directed by acclaimed actor Khalid Salleh, one of only two Malaysians to have received the Best Actor award at the Asia Pacific Film Festival. The performance, part of a nationwide tour, made a stop in Kuala Lumpur for DiverseCity 2016. Jual Ubat offered a poignant commentary on social and political issues from the perspective of a marginalized street medicine vendor. The play explored themes of social injustice, political corruption, racial tensions, and the struggles faced by Malay-Muslims. The performance opened with a rendition of songs inspired by poems (Lagu Puisi) by Adinda Amiro and Sani Sudin.
KL Le Park
September 24th, 2016
9 AM to 7 PM
Panggung Anniversary
KL Le Park was a vibrant celebration of art in its many forms. The event featured a diverse range of activities, including book trucks and poetry readings for literature enthusiasts, performances by alternative and indie bands for music lovers, displays of paintings and caricatures for those who appreciate visual arts, and booths selling t-shirts and DIY crafts for those who enjoy design.
Interested?
For a complete list of events and to purchase tickets, please visit the DiverseCity website. Group discounts were offered until August 25th, 2016, and concession tickets were available for eligible individuals.