You might well think that an English playwright who produced his work at the turn of the 17th century has little relevance in a modern Southeast Asian city such as Kuala Lumpur. But the fine people at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre clearly see things differently, if their March schedule is anything to go … read the full post

For many people, graffiti is one of the banes of modern urban life, nothing more than an act of vandalism. For others, it is an art form in its own right, deserving of encouragement not approbation. Like any large city, Kuala Lumpur has its fair share of ugly, disfiguring graffiti. But it also has a … read the full post

If I said the most interesting exhibition currently showing in Kuala Lumpur was about the role camels (and their handlers) played in opening up the Australian outback, or that the venue for this esoteric offering was the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM), you might be a trifle sceptical. But really, “Australia’s Muslim Cameleers Pioneers of … read the full post

What I like most about the performance arts scene in Kuala Lumpur is that virtually all tastes are catered for, from experimental jazz to comedy musicals. Few venues in Southeast Asia provide such a breadth of offerings as the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Take December, for example, where the highlights include a Mandarin-language stage … read the full post

Most visitors to Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market are probably unaware that they are close to one of the city’s most subversive organisations. It might not look much from the outside, but the Annexe Gallery plays an important role in the fight to make Malaysia a more free, equal and democratic society. The latest manifestation of … read the full post

It seems to be an unspoken rule of music festivals in Malaysia that all the best ones are held on islands. The state of Sarawak, in Borneo, plays host to both Borneo Jazz (formerly known as Miri Jazz) and the Rainforest World Music Festival, while the inaugural Langkawi Live was held earlier this month (November … read the full post

Kuala Lumpur‘s cultural life has come along in leaps and bounds over recent years. Barely a week goes by without some sort of artistic event or other, from modern dance to classical music. The problem is often not with the range and quality of the city’s artistic offerings, but with the paucity of available information. … read the full post

Kuala Lumpur’s leading contemporary arts showcase — Art Expo Malaysia 2011 — is just round the corner, and it looks like being the biggest and best so far. A total of 65 galleries and organisations have signed up for the five-day event, which runs from October 28 to November 1. And the best thing about … read the full post

Modern society seems to suffer increasingly from acute Attention Deficit Disorder. Pleasure has to be easy; gratification has be instant. So it is fitting that Kuala Lumpur, a city where ADD has reached near epidemic levels, should have an entire performance arts festival dedicated to people who cannot concentrate on the same thing for more … read the full post

The increasing affordability of good digital cameras, as well as simple desktop editing software, such as iPhoto, has democratised the whole business of taking photographs. Now virtually anyone can point, shoot and get a decent image. And even if you do not get it right first time, you can try again, and again, until you … read the full post