ART AND IDEAS
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A is for Anoora
ANOORA CHAPEK
Featuring photographs of and paintings from Anoora, an indigenous Temuan woman who lives near Kuala Kubu Bharu, this collection draws on the artist’s own life to traverse the connections between language, land, and lineage.
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Malaysian Poetry In English: Influence And Independence
EE TIANG HONG
In this conversational essay, Ee Tiang Hong raises concerns about the evolution and survival of the English language in Malaysian poetry, and its implications for further poetic creations.
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Coconut Candy
ADIB FAIZ
In this magical realist ‘language autobiography’ by Adib Faiz, a struggling academic seeks the guidance of the ghost of Salleh Ben Joned, who in turn guides the narrator and readers alike on a journey of understanding the undefinable pastiche that is ‘a Malaysian voice’.
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Wong Phui Nam on Salleh Ben Joned
ANNA SALLEH
Anna Salleh interviews Malaysian poet and literary critic, Wong Phui Nam, to discover more about her father, Salleh Ben Joned, reflecting on his polarising literary career and how his writings are still relevant to the many issues facing Malaysia to this day.
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The Language Lesson
RAY LANGENBACH
A performance by video, Ray Langenbach’s artistic assemblage deconstructs the learning of dialects whilst reflecting on identity, class, sexuality, race, religion, war, crimes and atrocities.
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“Kalau Dah Jodoh...”
NURUL HUDA MOHD. RAZIF
Unravelling the Malaysian concept of ‘jodoh’ or ‘pre-destined love’, Nurul Huda Mohd. Razif’s autobiographical essay follows the blossoming relationship between a Jewish man and a Muslim woman.
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Family
LEOW PUAY TIN and CHLOE HO
Delve into Leow Puay Tin’s internationally renowned 1996 play ‘Family’, through reading the original playwright’s notes, a critical summary by Chloe Ho, and an excerpt of the scene ‘Nine Widows’ along with the corresponding VHS recording of the debut performance.
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Anita/Ava
WILLIAM THAM and HOO FAN CHON
A study on queerness and the fluidity of identity, this essay by William Tham responds to Hoo Fan Chon’s 2022 film, ‘I Enjoy Being A Girl’, an intimate tale that explores the experience and lives of Anita and Ava.