MARCH 2016
#17
Contents MARCH 2016
16 Ernest Zacharevic interview
CONTENT MARCH 2016
04 WHAT’S NEW : NEW : What’s new in Penang
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ARTS
Ernest Zacharevic interview
: Street Art Painting : Welded Iron Wall Caricatures
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THE MUSEUM
: The best art galleries in Penang
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EATING OUT
: 10 Must-Try Hawker Food
“The Awaiting Trishaw Pedaler” Mural Ernest Zacharevic
Editor‘s Letter
CHILL OUT is dedicated to contemporary forms of culture and creativity in all parts of the world - in other words: living arts and the art of living. CHILL OUT focuses on contemporary art with an emphasis on fine art photography and unique destinations, while also paying attention to all other forms of creative expression. More on
www.chillout.com.
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What’s New NEW
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Strange and Familiar : Britain as Revealed by International Photographers Curated by iconic photographer Martin Parr, the exhibit explores the social, political and cultural identity of Britain as captured by international photographers from the 1930s onwards. Featuring over 250 works, it’s a thorough and riveting collection tracking the country’s tumultuous history of protest and celebration, alongside images of private, everyday life in Britain.
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Slum exhibition: Dharavi Dharavi is a slum located in Mumbai that is known to provide the lowest quality of life.This pushed Nomadic into raising awareness amongst the residents about developing their own community and raising the standardsof their living environment. This has been done through setting up ‘moving exhibitions’ on apushcarrt, in which the residents can display their local commodities and handicrafts for sale.Apart from supporting their local and cultural items, the moving exhibition also conducts workshops on painting ceramics with the local colourful Dhavari designs.
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Works from the Hall Collection : Andy Warhol Warhol’s work is some of the most recognisable art in the world, but this exciting exhibition shines light on more than 100 unseen pieces, on loan from a private collection in the USA. Featuring paintings, sculptures, screen prints and drawings, the show spans Warhol’s entire artistic life from his 1960s Pop Art to his more experimental work in the 1980s. Curated in chronological order, the exhibition reveals a complex and surprising portrait of an artist, icon and social provocateur. the exhibition is open to the public 4 Feb to 15 May 2016.
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4 Backpack? : david shatz’s melina transforms from backpack It ‘s a tent in the form of a backpack, designed with the needs of travellers and nomads in mind. Inspired by the design of sleeping bags ,david shatz came up with metal frames that can easily and conveniently be folded up with speed. In addition .when folded into a backpack it has plentiful space for ‘travellers’ belongings, and the shoulder straps can be adjusted for a perfect fit that hugs. The thick material used to make the melina will hrlp keep its owner warm when camping in the open. This ingenious multipurpose creation really reduces part of the spending burden for travellers.
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5 Hilma af Klint: Painting the Unseen This Serpentine exhibition focuses primarily on af Klint’s body of work, The Paintings for the Temple, which dates from 1906–15. The sequential nature of her work is highlighted by the inclusion in the exhibition of numerous paintings from key series, some never- before exhibited in the UK. the exhibition is open to the public 12 Apr to 15 May 2016.
What’s New What’s New In Penang
Event : Ink-Between
Hin Bus Depot hosts artist Ch’ng Kiah Kiean 莊嘉強 ,Ch’ng Kiah Kiean’s exhibition.the artist is known for his urban sketches of cities and towns.For this artist Ch’ng Kiah Kiean presented featuring ink on paper pieces. Relationshift FREE
Art Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, George Town Until Saturday May 14-29 2016 Daily, 12-8pm
Relationshif : Featuring the works of seven Creative Malaysians from different professions, ethnicities and genders associated with urban culture, ‘Relationshift’ explores the shift of dynamic, power and control in relationships, romantic or otherwise. Artists include Adam Kasturi, Bono Stellar, Fong Shelhiel, Khing Chuah, Sophia Kamal, William Sim and Zulamran Hilmi. Relationshift FREE
Art Hin Bus Depot Art Centre , George Town Until Saturday April 16 2016 Daily, 12-8pm
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Art
Street Art Painting Step by Step
P
enang Street Art Painting Step by Step Walking Guide When you are in Penang, you should also not miss the Penang street art murals – some of the most famous ones are painted by Ernest Zacharevic during the 2012 George Town Festival. Other Penang local artists have since also joined in painting some of Penang’s beautiful street art murals too.
There are a lot of guides and maps to Penang street art murals, Take an amazing tour around Georage town to discover the unique painted walls mimicking life in the city and the wrought-iron caricatures with anecdota descriptions of the streets that they adorn.
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Street
Art
the Giant Cat Artist: 101 Lost Kittens
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Old Fisherman Mural Artist: Julia Volchkova
WELDED IRON
“Ting Ting Thong� Sculpture Artist: Baba Chuah
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elded iron wall caricatures Welded iron wall caricatures Blending humor and historical facts, these metal scuptures describe the prevailing colloquial demeanor of the early settlement days that gave memorable moniker to the streets and landmarks that are georage Town icons today. Like voices from the past,they creatively symbolise the intimate relationship the people have in the daily lives with these landmarks that stand this day.
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Kopi-O Sculpture Artist: Tang Mun Kian
The “Street Fighter� Sculpture offers a comic glimpse at history, though it does take creative license of the timeline. The sculpture mentions a Portuguese church. This would be the Church of the Assumption, which was founded by Eurasians, who trace their ancestry to the Portuguese arriving in this region in the 16th century. The Church of the Assumption was at Church Street until 1 857, but even before that, the parishers had begun moving away to live in places such as Argus Lane. The Ghee Hin Society did have its headquarters along Church Street (which intersects with King Street, a largely Cantonese enclave) at the site of present-day Pinang Peranakan Museum.
Quiet Please (Street Fighters) Artist: Reggie Lee CHILL OUT | MARCH 2016
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Ernest Zacharevic interview To begin the journey of getting to know our island’s street art, you must first visit two murals. These are not difficult to find as both are painted along a weatherbeaten wall of Ah Quee Street. There are many alleys around this vicinity, so keep an eye on their Paris-green signage leading to the said street. Follow your trusty map and you’ll soon encounter the first mural of a little boy, restraining his pet tyrannosaurus from munching on an unsuspecting teenaged boy on his motorbike. This medium-scale piece was a commissioned masterpiece by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic who shot to social network fame from his portfolio of murals – drafted and painted during a point in George Town Festival 2012.From there, a few paces forward, along Pervious page from left : Boy on a Bike Mural
the same street, you’ll find a new, contrasting work. Little is known about the artist who painted this second mural of a half-faced Chinese opera beauty whose features are gorily scraped to the bones. Accompanied by strokes of Chinese characters that translate to ‘our art is dying’, the mural reflects the slow death of our tradition, heritage and culture in particular the fading art of Chinese opera, a musical theatre of the Chinese community complete with dramatic makeup, headdress and costumes. However, could the artist also be interpreting our diminishing local art scene due to our chaotic chase for ‘the next best art’? The operatic beauty piece questions if Penang has lost its identity from these newfound street murals. But then, hasthe limelight on Penang’s street art proven otherwise? CHILL OUT | MARCH 2016
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We spoke with the artist about some of the themes and concepts he wishes to convey, the most challenging aspects of his work, and the current fascinations feeding into his creative practice. Chill out: what are the initial stages involved in creating a composition? from where do you draw inspiration?
Ernest zacharevic: most of my painting is quite
spontaneous, there is no linear approach to the planning. I suppose it all starts with an idea and then it is a process of finding time, subject, location etc. I try to make sure I spend time doing things besides painting,like traveling, photography, reading, music…anything that provides inspiration, content, and ideas I can explore in my paintings.
Co: What drew you to Malaysia? EZ: When I was studying in London, I would travel every chance I had. I spent some time in Southeast Asia and visited Malaysia. I quite liked it. In college, I became good friends with someone from Penang. One Chinese New Year, I stopped by to see her and to hang out for a bit. Before I knew it, four years had gone by.
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Penang is a great place for art, because you have all these hungry people waiting for opportunities Since you mentioned London... You’ve often been compared to a fellow Englishman, namely Banksy. But while he enjoys a certain degree of anonymity, Everyone knows who you are. Doesn’t that make you a little antsy?
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It does a little, but it’s the nature of my work. I don’t see the need to be anonymous. I like the social aspect of art, of being engaged and involved. Personally, it’s not only artwork that draws me and encourages me; it’s connecting and meeting people and trying new things and exploring outside my own box. Besides, it’s very hard to stay anonymous given the way that I work. Sometimes, I try to limit my exposure, but my work takes time to build and I can spend up to a week in one
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spot. All you can do is to go straight ahead, talk to people and be open about it. What Banksy does is anti-establishment. I talk topeople, the police and authorities. It serves another cause not being anonymous, not being afraid to say ‘This is what I do, so sue me.’ Co: can you talk about some of the themes or concepts that you are looking to express? EZ: ever since I remember, I’ve been fascinated by animation; not just cartoons, but the ‘medium’, its ability to bend reality and bring images to life. I find myself exploring a lot of these concepts in my own paintings. I see my work more like a simple moment capturing everyday life rather than an elaborate narrative. this seems to work best with the subject of childhood nostalgia, a subject which features often in my work. Co: your outdoor works often engage with the urban landscape. how important is the specific environment and culture in the conception of each mural? EZ: that’s the most fascinating part about working outdoors. every landscape has it’s character, culture and its own stories. I often won’t come up with an idea of what to paint until I have had time to see the space and experience the immediate surroundings. Co: what are the most challenging aspects of realizing your work? EZ: self-motivation and discipline. being free of the restrictions of a workplace and monitored tasks can be very liberating but it is not without its challenges. getting yourself out there, and making things happen, requires a lot of preparation. each time I develop a new idea it comes with a whole bunch of ‘how’s’ to figure out. the only thing keeping you going is believing that it’s gonna be worth your while. Co: what are the most significant differences between working in the public realm versus in a studio? EZ: despite the spontaneous approach to an idea, more planning actually goes into the street pieces, whereas the studio tends to be more loose and organic. on the street, I have to spend time considering the wall, plan numerous visits thinking about what could belong there and how it is going to engage with its surroundings. I prepare in the studio for the walls as much as possible to limit the amount of time I then spend painting outside.
...Little Children on a Bicycle Mural...
Co: do you have a particular piece that is your
favorite, or one that stands out to you? EZ: they are all my favorites at the time I am producing them, but it never lasts. if I started getting attached, I’d never want to let any of it go…or worse, would never consider it finished! Co: who/what has been the biggest influence on your work to date, and how do they inform your practice? EZ: my parents I’d say. they never get too engaged in my practice, but a little response and right guidance has been enough to keep me going ever since I was a kid.
Co: Does your family fret about you taking a risk with street art? EZ: Yeah, they do. If I don’t check in with my mum on Sunday evenings, she’ll start Google-ing me. This is directly in response to the JB thing, when I went offline for a while. Otherwise, my parents have always been very supportive of whatever I do. Co: Do you feel a pang of hurt when your work is removed or painted over? EZ: No. If you’re not ready for it, you don’t go out and put your art on a building that’s been burnt down.
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Co: Street art aside, you’re also involved with some local art galleries, including your space in Eastern & Oriental Hotel. It’s where I first saw your works on canvas. EZ: That’s why I opened the place. The gallery has been a little hub where I throw my artwork that I don’t show anywhere else – my studio stuff and everyday practice. It’s an exciting time because we’re expanding. It’s an artist-run gallery that involves friends, people I meet, and artists whom I admire.
Reaching Up (Before 30 June, 2012)
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Co: Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, the venue of your first solo show, is a great gallery too. Are you still heavily involved? EZ: I’m still involved, but not as much. We’ve set up a management team and it’s running by itself. Penang is a great place for art, because you have all these hungry people waiting for opportunities. They take chances, they take risks, and they have ambition and time rather than working nine-to-five and spending so much time stuck in traffic.
Little Girl in Blue Mural, Muntri Street, George Town Penang (1 July, 2012)
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Co: Like in KL? EZ: Yes. Penang looks super quiet at first glance, as if nothing happens here. But the moment you start doing something, people are willing to get involved and to help you. It’s quite unbelievable. That’s how things like Hin Bus happened. Like I said, the art centre is now self-sustainable. It feels great to be a part of something like that. Co: what are you currently fascinated by and how is it feeding into your work? EZ: everything and anything — my life and my art cannot be separated, everything I engage in somehow affects or inspires what I am doing creatively.
Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur ...
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THE MUSEUM The best art galleries in Penang
10 Weird & Unique Museum in Penang
Do you love the unique and strange things? Feeling awe when seeing strange things? In Malaysia there are more odd things that really grab people’s attention. This includes exhibition galleries and museums. In Penang alone, there are 10 weird and strange museums or galleries that we in Sini.Com successful list. We were very impressed especially after knowing they exist in Malaysia! Let’s look at the 10 museums and galleries that will make you feel puzzled.
PG GOLD MUSEUM
Located in one of the heritage buildings in Penang, PG Gold Museum was created to provide science, knowledge and experience to you about the world of gold included in the process of panning for gold. You also have the chance to touch with your own fingers gold bars weighing 50 kg! Here also has a 3D drawing. You may be illustrated as if currently working in gold mines.
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MU
10 Weird &Unique
UPSIDE DOWN MUSEUM
The perfect house upside down. Here you will see a house with furniture and appliances in perfect condition but reversed its position. When you see pictures of the visitors, was surprised at how homes can be developed in such a way?
SEUM
TOY MUSEUM OF PENANG
Want to see the statue of the hero animated characters more closely? At the museum, children will be excited to have a closer look animated statue of their beloved hero like Batman, Superman, Ultraman, Spiderman, Star Wars, Pikachu, Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hulk, Snoopy and more. As if in a fantasy world filled with characters savior of the world! It is recognized as the world’s largest Toy Museum by The Malaysia Book Of Records.
etched glass. If interested in producing his own painting on the Embrace the beauty of art glass, you can try to paint and beautiful sculptures creatively and then take on glass sheets in Penang home a work of art as a memento. Museum of Glass. Various artwork colorful glass paintings can be seen. In addition, there are also decoration items and souvenirs such as glass wall clock, clock in a glass bottle, keychain and so on are all the result of
I-BOX MUSEUM GLASS OF PENANG
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GHOST MUSEUM OF PENANG
Chinese ghost, ghost pharaohs, headless ghost, and the ghost was feared by all kinds of people. Try to overcome your fear of visiting the Museum of Ghost In This Town. The feeling of being here seems to be in a house full of ghosts and skulls of the dead!
Penang Peranakan Houses
Legacy, culture and the unique lifestyle of Baba and Nyonya Malaysia has never cracked deck hot sun since the 15th century Chinese cultural assimilation with the local culture in Malaya produce unique from the point of religion, culture, dress, cuisine, weddings and so on. Rumah Peranakan Penang can give a closer and the reality of the real world Peranakan in Malaysia.
Penang Camera Museum
Located in the heart of Georgetown, Camera Museum showcases a wide collection of cameras old cameras particularly well-known brands such
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as Leica, Canon, Minolta, Pellix, Yashica, Olympus, Nikon, Agfa and others. Watch how big the size of the camera in the past compared to the size of the camera now. You also have the opportunity to be in a dark room image
processing, display various results stunning photography from around the world and other world fairs of the camera.
MUSEUM OF THE TIME TUNNEL PENANG
This museum gives you the chance to explore the world of the past. You can see equipment used by people in ancient times, about 400 years ago. The museum also has an exhibition of paintings in 3D, anti gravity room etc. amazing.
Interactive Museum Made In Penang TEOCHEW PUPPET AND OPERA MUSEUM
In the past Teochew Opera is very popular in Penang. Today, the opera is no longer a major public entertainment. The Opera House and the Puppet Teo Chew your real chance to approach the world of opera ever popular some time ago. There is a diverse collection of dolls iron Teochew opera costumes, head gear worn in the show and musical instruments that are used for opera performances are on display here. The Opera House was built in a shop in the heritage zone gazetted by UNESCO. It is run by 5th generation family Giak Low Choon Kim.
Interactive Museum Made In Penang in fact a museum showcasing interactive drawing in 3D, a set of miniature figurines as people were rowing boats and interesting frescoes. What is interesting is the interactive paintings on display tell everything about Penang in terms of history, culture and lifestyle in Penang.
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EATING OUT 10 Must-Try Hawker Food The food haven of Malaysia thrives with welcoming clangings from the many hawker stalls and street food,and at night, its swanky restaurants and bars are popular haunts for tourists and locals alike. You’ll notice that when you’re here at “the Pearl”, you’re hungry most of the time - with much help from the titillating food scents wafting over to your nostrils. Make sure you try everything!
Mee Goreng
Fish Ball Koay Teow Soup 粿条汤
Translated as mamak-style fried noodles, consisting of yellow rice noodles fried with tofu, vegetables and Seemingly plain at first eggs. This Penang specialty is so simple, yet so filling. sight, flat rice noodles in a flavourful plain soup cooked with pork ribs and white turnips, garnished with fish balls, slices of chicken or pork and fried shallots, is one of the best local comfort foods.
Tua Pui ,Curry Mee
Nothing beats a bowl of rich curry noodles, even on a scorching hot day! The spicy soup cooked with chilli and spices, topped with cuttlefish, tofu puffs, beansprouts and blood cubes is enough to make the world go round!
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Asam Laksa
Spicy, tangy and delicious to a fault, the best Assam Laksa in Malaysia is said to be served in Penang – round rice noodles topped with fresh vegetables, generous portions of fish and a spoonful of flavourful hae ko(shrimp paste) in light gravy.
Lor Bak 卤肉
Lor stands for sauce and bak is meat – this deep fried snack of tofu, prawn fritters, pork rolls and fish rolls is a great side dish. The Hokkiens of Penang call it Ngoh Hiang as it is seasoned with five (Ngoh) spices (Hiang).
Loh Mee
If you’re craving for something savoury and filling, then this special broth cooked with pork rib stock, five spice powder, thickened with corn starch and beaten egg whites is perfect! The best part is finishing the delicious broth after the round yellow noodles are gone!
Hokkien Mee
Also called prawn mee in other parts of Peninsular Malaysia, the Penang version is served in a slightly spicy broth rich with pork and prawn flavour, garnished with slices of pork, prawn, hardboiled egg and the must-have fried shallots. CHILL OUT | MARCH 2016
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Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendol
The cousin to the Ice Kacang, this dessert of shaved ice with coconut milk, jelly noodles, and palm sugar is famous in Penang. Also comes in other varieties such as sweet corn, glutinous rice, and red beans.
Char Kway Teow 炒粿條
Stir-fried flat noodles with chives, bean sprouts, cockles and fresh prawns. The secrets to this popular street food are its pork cracklings and smoky flavour. A Penang specialty that’s simply irresistible!
Popiah (spring roll)
A Teochew-style spring roll which trumps all other spring roll with its juicy fillings of bangkuang (grated turnip), lettuce, grated carrot, a dash of chilli paste and sweet sauce, bean curd and perhaps crab meat – all wrapped in a soft spring skin.
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... Cendol Char KwayTeow ...
Chiang Mai / THAILAND this the month sees the Thainew year celebration of songkran between April 13 and 15.In the north of country,firecrackers areset off to repel bad luck on the first day, while the locals prepare food to present to monks the next day. Making merit at a temple involves bathing and image of Buddha,which repesents purification and the washing away of sins,but Thais also pour water on the hands of eldera,asking for their blessing. A more raucous side of songkran sees an all-out water festival where no one is immune from the splashing and, in a more modern vein,the water-pistol battles that erupt on closed streets. The festival has another good side to it: Aprils is normally the hottesr month of the year,so getting drenched is a welcome diversion.
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