The Hin Bus Depot will warrant repeat visits throughout 6–21 June as artists from Japan and Malaysia collaborate on OPEN GATE, a constantly-changing exhibition.
Directed and curated by experimental musician Sachiko M, it is the first event of its kind held in tandem with Asian Sounds Research, a component of the Ensembles Asia project by the Japan Foundation Asia Center. The group show is the culmination of two preliminary study trips, during which the organising team immersed themselves in the island’s thriving art scene.
Japanese artists Tadashi Yonago and Yoshihito Mizuuchi will join their Penangite counterparts Annabelle Ng and Hoo Fan Chon in installing new creations in a shared common space. The absence of individual designated areas serves to inspire and instigate gradual transformation of each other’s works. Some new pieces may emerge, some may disappear, and some may continue mutating into entirely different beasts. The exhibition’s sense of unpredictability promises viewers a unique experience every time they set foot into the gallery.
A line-up of special guests has also been arranged to present fringe events. Tenniscoats, a Japanese duo whose special brand of music corresponds with the environment, will kick off proceedings before passing the stage to Malaysian contemporary artist chi too. Both will additionally play a set with the participating artists during their respective performance weekends.
Art writer Gabija Grusaite meanwhile hosts a series of panel discussions with curators the likes of Minoru Hatanaka (NTT InterCommunication Center), Ong Jo-Lene (independent) and Azusa Hashimoto (National Museum of Art, Osaka).
Sachiko M herself will participate alongside improvisational vocalist Kok Siew-Wai and Yonago in Silent Movie Night. A fresh spin on Hin Bus Depot’s weekly movie screenings, they will infuse a film specially selected by artist Ee Yan with avant-garde improvised music, applying a minimalist sound system that straddles the line between sound and silence.
The exhibition will close with a performance comprising the whole artist roster and audience led by renowned composer Otomo Yoshihide. The evening then winds down with a film show by artist Ee Yan.
Visitors hoping to pick the brains of the artists and special guests will be heartened to know that both will make frequent appearances all through the exhibition period outside of their own scheduled activities.
Date: 6–21 June, 2015
Visiting hours: 12 p.m.–7.00 p.m. daily
Venue: Hin Bus Art Depot, 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, Georgetown, 10300 Penang (Facebook page | Directions)
Admission: Free
OPENING EVENTS
6 June, 6 p.m. | Opening Event 1 | First Sounds featuring Tenniscoats
7 June, 5 p.m. | Talk Session 1 | Panel discussion with Gabija Grusaite. Guest: Minoru Hatanaka
7 June, 6 p.m. | Opening Event 2 | First Sounds + featuring Tenniscoats and all artists
SECOND WEEK EVENTS
13 June, 6 p.m. | Second Week Event 1 | Second Sounds featuring chi too
14 June, 5 p.m. | Talk Session 2 | Panel discussion with Gabija Grusaite. Guest: Ong Jo-Lene
14 June, 6 p.m. | Second Week Event 2 | Second Sounds ++ featuring chi too and all artists
SILENT MOVIE NIGHT
16 June, 8 p.m. | silent movie with silent sounds featuring Kok Siew-Wai, Tadashi Yonago and Sachiko M
CLOSING EVENTS
20 June, 6 p.m. | Closing Event 1 | Final Sounds featuring Otomo Yoshihide
21 June, 5 p.m. | Talk Session 3 | Panel discussion with Gabija Grusaite. Guest: Azusa Hashimoto
21 June, 6 p.m. | Closing Event 2 | Final Sounds +++ featuring all artists and attendees and Film Show by Ee Yan
For more info, visit http://www.soundsresearch.com or contact the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur at 03 2284 6228.
