CAIS Project

CAIS DVD Catalogue/Documentation Completed!

2009-06-22T19:35:00.016+08:00

Sincere greetings to all!

We apologize for such a long time of silence but we certainly do hope that all the students and staff at Stella Maris Secondary School are keeping well, and most certainly also to all of you who've constantly checked back on this blog for updates, we do wish you well.

Ever since the completion of the project, most of us were needing to focus back on our various full time vocation, but of course with still much eagerness, we took on the task of completing a DVD Catalogue for CAIS which was very much our intention ever since the beginning of the project. With that, we managed to collect many materials during the course of running CAIS, ie: questionnaires, feedbacks, comments, photos, video etc. With all these precious datas, we then had the task to evaluate, analyse, sort and compile them into a digital catalogue with the purpose of further sharing the vision of the project and to create an awareness of the possibilities of alternative art education within our country. And four months into that since February of 2009, we were finally able to announce to you the completion of CAIS's DVD Catalogue/Documentation! It has 2 components to it: (a) A Full Video Documentary Content playable on any DVD Player and (b) An Interactive Content playable on any computer (Mac) or (Windows).

The DVD is certainly not for sale but with efforts to fundraise both for R.A.P as well as any possible future initiatives to continue on a CAIS 2.0, we'd appreciate any donations of RM 20 for a copy of the DVD. Do contact us at caisproject@gmail.com if you're interested in getting a copy and we'd certainly try our best to respond to you asap.

So yes, here's looking forward to hearing from any of you and we shall keep in touch!

Sincerely,
The CAIS Curatorial Team

EVENT CALENDER

2008-08-29T13:56:00.011+08:00

ARTIST's CORNER - Shia Yih Yiing

2008-08-18T03:55:00.005+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
The synonymous in the show-off Generation Me and super ego of super hero.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
Playfulness. Interaction with my children. Their material world & thoughts.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
My interest and will to express and show independently. A Malaysian Chinese in relation to the mother country and world. It inspires me to look into the world of social, politic, design & entertainment.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
No, still learning and exploring.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
Create work strategically to engage the audience to respond, read, interact and trigger their sense and heart.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
No.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
David Wand’s essay on Chinese authors from Peking, Shanghai, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Do you have a favourite superhero? Who?
Yes. My son, ‘The Flash’.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
Adult and children art instructor.

ARTIST's CORNER - Vincent Leong

2008-08-18T03:53:00.004+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
I HOPE THERE ARE NO CENTRAL CONCEPT THAT GOVERNS ME OR MY WORK. EVERYTHING CHANGES. MY WORLD AROUND ME, MY WORK AND ME. NOTHING STAYS THE SAME.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
I AM INSPIRED BY EVERY DAY LIFE. BY WATCHING PEOPLE AND OBSERVING SOCIAL CONDITIONS. POPULAR CULTURE CURRENTLY FEEDS MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE FOR ME IT REFLECTS CONTEMPORARY CULTURE.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
DIFFERENT ISSUES INTEREST ME AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN MY LIFE. MY WORK IS A REACTION TO THE WORLD AROUND ME, AND IS DIRECTLY EFFECTED BY MY LIFE, AND VICE VERSA.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
AT THE MOMENT, I FEEL THAT CONTEMPORARY ART IS (AND SHOULD BE) A MIRROR TO CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY AND ITS VALUES ON CULTURE.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
DEFINITELY. PENDIDIKAN SENI IS ONE OF THE RARE SUBJECTS IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT ALLOW/ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CREATE AND FORM THEIR OWN THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK FOR ONESELF AND NOT JUST ACCEPT WITHOUT QUESTIONING.

Who’d you like to meet (passed on/alive) if you had the chance to?
MARILYN MANSON AND ZHANG ZIYI.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
THE LIFE OF PI.

Do you have a favourite superhero? Who?
YES. TERESA KOK.

ARTIST's CORNER - Low Yi Chin

2008-08-18T03:51:00.003+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
I observe different life forms in our rapidly developing environment, and study into the biological impact and consequences towards the living environment nowadays (i.e. the Greenhouse Effect).

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
Six year ago, my eldest son coming to join me in this world. His presence has led me to experience the joyous and wonders of life! In accompanying him to explore the world, I started to pay attention to the surroundings. I hence observed different life forms of many living things include tiny earthworm to primates such as apes, monkeys and, mankind.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
During my secondary school days, I was studying science stream and being very much interested in biology. After I step into art field, I found artist and scientist are mainly the same: to observe and to question. I like to pay attention and observe the surrounding environment (nature world). But as an artist, I only bring up the question without providing the solution.
I found artwork is a better means in awaken people to concern about environmental issues than scientific reports.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
Yes. My artwork concept is concern about today’s environmental issues.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
He or she has to concern about the community as well as the environment and social problems. Act as an observer and questioner.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
I agree because Art is about training people on how to observe and use different angles to interpret things and issues.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Book title: “die Meere”: A past, present, and future of our sea environment.
Author: Frank SCHÄTZING, Wild Man publisher

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
Maybe to become a farmer, or an organic farmer.

ARTIST's CORNER - Ooi Kooi Hin

2008-08-18T03:50:00.002+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
Human emotions. Humour.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
I believe in getting ones feeling released and channeled it properly helps in becoming a better person.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
Human is the subject that never bored me. As one humankind myself, I create work in inspiration to learn and understand more of myself, as well as getting to know others.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
Be more involved.

Do you think the role of a contemporary artist has changed from the 20th century to the 21st century within the social structure of society?
Has this effect/influence your practice of art in relation to this shift/change?
I think it has changed gradually. We are being exposed more easily to what is happening around through media, in particular the internet. Yes it has influenced me.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
Yes, arts open up possibilities, intrigue more perspectives. I loath to see mono structure set by social norm.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Design Of Design (By Kenya Hara)

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
… Labourer? Or may be a cook.

Promotional Items Ready!

2008-08-18T03:44:00.018+08:00

After much grueling hard work, the CAIS Project banners, buntings, posters and invitation cards are now ready! On Friday (15 August 2008), we decided to personally take the posters and invitation cards to the school and do a class by class distribution. It was the last day of the high school term before the students leave for their 1 week break, thus we thought that it would be a good time to remind them that when they return, their school would be transformed into an alternative art exhibition space for CAIS where contemporary art pieces of work will spring into live in various corners! Yes, it was an exciting morning waking up at 6am once again (nostalgic of our school days) and find ourselves entering Stella Maris High School in time for the first bell to distribute these items to each student. We would also really like to thank Marge, who is the principal of Stella Maris High School for her permission to do so in short notice.

Following that, we took some time to conduct a survey with the students to gauge their perception and understanding of art before the exhibition in order to conduct a follow up session then after. This was purposed that we may obtain a better understanding on the effectiveness of CAIS when the project is completed. It was really a good time having the opportunity to have a much closer interaction with all of the students at the school and yes, we certainly look forward for more of these when the exhibition starts this 25 August 2008 till the 6 September 2008, 11am - 5pm. The number of response was beyond our expectations and worthwhile indeed.

Shoutout to Stella Maris High School students: Do remember to invite all your friends, family and loved ones to come over to your school during the public viewing days (see invitation card) to witness this project yea!

The Poster:

ARTIST's CORNER - Kok Siew Wai

2008-08-18T03:43:00.010+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
Subjects that happen to me or around me, some would describe as “the little things in everyday life.” I believe that art is about life. The art that an artist’s create is his/her life experience or insight.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
Anything can inspire me … As an artist, I’m attentive and sensitive to things that happen around me. It can be anything. I’ve made work with the sound of water pipes, in the bathtub, cooking in the kitchen, my mother, visiting abandoned factory, cruising on the train, friends’ chatting at a party etc. It really can be anything. And I don’t like to categorize myself that I only make work about this or that. I keep changing, so does my life, and the world at large.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
To create art is a way of expression. I respect individual expression. The modern society has created many clones of products, ideologies and lifestyles. We need a space and a medium to think and act critically and express ourselves freely, I feel. For an artist, perhaps this place is art. I have an urge for self-exploration since I was a kid. So I guess this has become a serious life-long pursue manifesting in my artwork. Buddhism, Taoism and modern spiritual practitioners have always been indicating “to understand the world, you have to start from understanding yourself. No scripture, theory and no sage can do this for you, you have to do it by yourself, go for this journey.” I feel the truth of this notion and therefore am investigating my own life as a “case study” to understand humanity.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
Yes.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
To tell some truths in the time period that they live in.

Do you think the role of a contemporary artist has changed from the 20th century to the 21st century within the social structure of society? Has this effect/influence your practice of art in relation to this shift/change?
The methods and mediums might have changed, but the subject matters of art can pretty much be the same. For example, I can talk about human immortality using a solo voice piece or fusing this idea into a web hypertext project or a video. The medium doesn’t matter that much to me. The issues that we concern are more interesting. Today’s audience is more receptive to multidisciplinary work because of the multimedia and the internet culture. This might be something unique in our time.
Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
Yes. Art is culture and spirituality. A country without culture and spirit is like an empty building. It is an empty structure without content.

Are there any role models that you’ve had (within/ with out art practice)?
Tony Conrad and Maya Deren.

Who’d you like to meet (passed on/alive) if you had the chance to?
Jiddu Krishnamurti.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Shuntaro Tanikawa’s selected poems.

Do you have a favourite superhero? Who?
No.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
An art audience.

ARTIST's CORNER - Ahmad Fuad Osman

2008-08-18T03:43:00.006+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
Current sociopolitical issues and autobiographical.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
Everything… stories, books, news, breaking news, landscapes – cloud, mountains, trees, jungle, rivers, ocean, rain, dried earth, wind, weathers, lines, textures, colors, everyday life, sound and music, etc. etc. Just ‘look and listen’. Art is out there waiting to be captured. The only question being whether we are prepared to recognized it.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
I like Buddhist and Sufi’s view of life which stresses the ideas of impermanency and the worldly life as a mirage. This ideas was reflected in most of my works, particularly my two ‘Self (In Quest) Portraits’ 1995 and 96, my earlier installation, ‘Mat Jenin Is (Always and Always Will Be) Dreaming To Death’, 1999, my Vermont series, ‘Imitating The Mountain’ and ‘Imitating The Woods, 2004, and my Korean Series, ‘Fatamorgana…’ 2006, just to name a few. Fatamorgana itself is a Malay words for mirage.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
I think so.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
My friend once told me that in France, they planted roses outside their grapes farm for wineries to attract insects so that their grapes will be good and healthy for wine making, and I like the idea even though I don’t know if it is true or not. To me, in a way, an artists should be ‘that roses’ to his society because they are among others, the one who is really ‘looking and listening’. I used to ideally try to think and be like that during my earlier parts of my career until the day I realized that I can’t be a prophet, so I changed instead on my own self. Whatever I did after that is first of all for myself. Out of curiosity on so many things in life, I created arts as a mean of gaining knowledge, to educate myself, to sharpen my senses and to try to morally change myself, and I believe that if you’re honest and true to yourself, your arts will somehow reach the people (who are willing to share it) out there.

Do you think the role of a contemporary artist has changed from the 20th century to the 21st century within the social structure of society? Has this effect/influence your practice of art in relation to this shift/change?
The role of an artist is still the same but some issues and artistic medium has either evolved, changed, or different. As for me, I just wanna do arts. I will use whatever medium that I feel the closest and the best to represent my issues or ideas, and I don’t really care much about all those other things.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
I always believe this as a roots of it all. During my time, art education in school was just another last and unimportant subject. This hierarchy itself had shaped generations of Malaysian to look at arts as unimportant comparing to the other subjects like science, mathematics and so on. To me, arts and cultures are a soul of a nation while all the others are parts of its body. How can a body live without soul? So, in this case we need to change this perception. How? First of all, art education in school has to be upgraded and given a priority at an equal platform as other important subjects. Future generations will then accept it as equally important in life as science and mathematics.

Are there any role models that you’ve had (within/ with out art practice)?
Prophet Muhammad, Mahatma Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy and Yusof Islam.

Who’d you like to meet (passed on/alive) if you had the chance to?
Sheikh Kadir Al Jailani and Syeikh Siti Jenar.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
‘Blink’ by Malcolm Gladwell and Shamsiah Fakeh’s memoir.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
Music or film (or rubber tapping with my dad?).

Second Phase of the Project : 2nd MEETING in AUGUST

2008-08-18T01:23:00.012+08:00

We had the opportunity to meet up with local Malaysian artist – Liew Kung Yu at his truly unique and beautiful art space. It was about 9pm that we reached his place and most of us had yet to have taken our dinner. Resolving to not let us starve, Kung Yu was extremely kind to host us a meal with really tasty instant noodles! And believe you me, it was certainly one of the most tasty instant noodles cooked!

Speaking of Kung Yu, the CAIS Project team has invited him to be the leading mind behind a workshop that purposes to evaluate the project through the responses of student’s feedback. We had a really fruitful time dialoguing with him as he certainly did brought to light many interesting perspectives of evaluation on various aspects of the project that would help us towards achieving our initial objectives set.

Shout out to Stella Maris Students: Do look out for our recruitment poster on the 25 August 2008 for this workshop with Kung Yu. The details are as below:

Date: 2 Sept (Tuesday)
Time: 1.40pm – 3.00pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre

Please do sign up yea!

Second Phase of the Project : 1st MEETING in AUGUST

2008-08-18T01:12:00.005+08:00

On the 3rd of August, instead of meeting at the Old Town Café which was almost becoming our regular meeting grounds, we decided to meet up at the Malay Tea House at Central Market, KL. Its got a really quiet ambience which was just what we needed for our meeting. Quite an interesting place with servings of special Malay Teas.

At this point of our project, extra help was greatly needed and we are fortunate to have 2 additional people to join us to mobilize the project. They are Teh Chen Yee and Chua Chinn Yin, fresh graduates from LUCT. We briefly described to them the background of the project and the potential job task they will be involved in and we are delighted that they were enthusiastic about it! Yes, they are certainly a blessing to us at this point!

One of the primary reasons we had this meeting was to also finalize the poster designs. Seeing that the exhibition is starting in 3 weeks time, we needed to make ready the various publicity items on time, thus, everyone's creativity input was put to the table for a final critique session on the poster designs. No time was wasted as Meng edited the works simultaneously as suggestions were made ;) We also had this idea of coming out with an exhibition handbook that will focus on providing information on the exhibited works of the participating artist in the project. Chang Hwang came up with a sample write up on it and the translation roles were tentatively handed over to our 2 new team mates to work on it. Several other matters that were also brought to attention were discussions on details of the film screening as well as the art tour. That's certainly 2 things not to be missed!

ARTIST's Corner (WORKS) - Shia Yih Yiing

2008-08-12T21:55:00.015+08:00

SHIA YIH-YIING, originated from Kuching, Sarawak, was drawn to KL upon winning a scholarship from the Malaysian Institute of Arts. Then after, she subsequently gained a Diploma in Fine Art. Her dedication to be an artist was strengthened through a series of sentimental and symbolic family portraits and won her a fellowship from the Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship in Art & Craft. The journey through Australia initiated a research study in visual art at the School of Contemporary Art, University of Western Sydney. Ever since, her art works is often more metaphorical and playful.

Vessels of Art, What is Your Equipment, 2006 is a work on the artist's stronger sensibility on identity and future as her children grew older. Questions such as "Where are we? What are we?" becomes more vivid. By culling icons from Chinese and Popular culture and multiracial identities, blue patterns were conjured up on vessels or vest on bodies that are breakable. The vessels portray the unity in variety or variety in unity of a multiracial society where racial issue is a very sensitive issue. The vests are both poetic resistance and portrayal of hardworking, endurance and migratory nature of others under the Malay elite hegemony. The blue Chinas conveyed sentiments in the process of building and securing a peaceful and prosperous position in this part of the world. - Shia Yih Yiing

Vest of Wealth, Vest of Prosperity, Vest of Honour
137cm x 101cm
2006

Win Vesture, Sash of Strengyh
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
137cm X 101cm
2006

Monumental Abundance I & II
Acrylic on Canvas
122cm X 91cm
2006

Anda in Wonderland, 2007: The simplicity in the language of western childhood story, with inventive layering and masking of the truth behind the surface, is a romantic strategy to deconstruct and rewrite a common history. The artist took these ideas and attempted to make them workable for the space and the time we lived in - Shia Yih Yiing

An An in Wonderland, Pool of Tear
Oil on Canvas
137cm X 101cm

An An in Wonderland, Mad Tea Party
Oil on Canvas
137cm X 101cm
2007 2007

If you'd like to find out more about Yih Yiing, do visit Y2s Artspace, a gallery and studio space established by Soh Chee-Khoon and Shia Yih-Yiing that provides a friendly and relaxing venue for people of all ages to explore the world of visual art.

**All images displayed with courtesy of artist**

ARTIST's Corner (WORKS) - Vincent Leong

2008-08-10T13:24:00.012+08:00

Introducing our next artist, we have Vincent Leong. Born in 1979 at Malaysia, Vincent is amongst the youngest artist we have at the CAIS Project but not at all the least in anyway. Educated at the Centre of Advanced Design (CENFAD) KL from 1998-2000, he furthered his studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London for another 4 years from 2000-2004. And upon returning to Malaysia, he has not fallen short to be actively involved with our nation's local art scene.

'Tropical Paradise AG32', VWFA

'Tropical Paradise G929', NumThong Gallery - Bangkok

'Tropical Paradise MR20', Sculpture Square - Singapore

With many previous groups and solo exhibitions both in and abroad, Vincent is definitely one artist that has not despised his youth. Amongst his other works are the 'Tropical Paradise' series that was exhibited at Valentine Willie Fine Art-Malaysia, NumThong's Gallery- Bangkok as well as Sculpture Square - Singapore. This work highlights, as mentioned in Vincent's own words, "all the cliches of exotic life in this part of the world. Of dancing women to kampung scenes."

For more information on Vincent's works, do visit his blog at
http://www.somethinginnothing.blogspot.com/

**All images displayed with courtesy of artist**

ARTIST's Corner (WORKS) - Chan Yoong Chia

2008-08-10T10:55:00.012+08:00

'Quilt of the Dead'
2002 - Ongoing
Thread on Cloth (224cm x 224cm)

Today, we'd like to introduce you to Chan Yoong Chia, one of the CAIS Project Workshop Artist. His famous work titled 'Quilt of the Dead' will be the very thing that he would be bringing you through if you've signed up for his workshop on the 2-3 September 2008. 'Quilt of the Dead' is a work-in-progress artwork. The task is to stitch obituary photographs taken from newspaper and other sources onto pieces of cotton cloth roughly 19 x 15cm at various locations until the artist have enough to form a quilt measuring 10ft x 10ft.

Chan (left) in performance

Biodata:
Born in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Education:
1993 - 1996 - Diploma in Fine Art (Major in Painting), Malaysian Institute of Art, KL

Chan is also an avid painter with many group and solo exhibitions under his belt. Do visit his online gallery for more detailed information on each of his work and shows. Meanwhile, do feast your eyes on some amazing work here too!

A Pickup at the Train Station 2006
Oil on Canvas (170cm x 64cm)

Self Portrait Radiating 2006
Oil on Seashell (13cm x 13cm x 2.8cm)

Eggshells Rotate on Clockwork

**All images displayed with courtesy of artist**

COLLABORATIVE PARTNER: Galeri Petronas

2008-08-02T14:43:00.014+08:00

Whew! Without a doubt there is much excitement brewing in the air with all of us at the CAIS team. Apart from assisting in the 2 artist workshops that we've just had the past few weeks - that of which we believed was a meaningful experience for the artists and the students present (updates and photos coming soon), we've also been given the opportunity for interviews with the media and been working much towards the launching and opening of the project at the end of this month. Worries aside, these tasks which are time consuming yet they are responsible for keeping our spirits alive amidst the more day to day jobs we have.

Saying so, all these efforts cannot materialize without generous fundings and assistance from three body of art organizations in Malaysia. There are great people behind these bodies with great visions and we feel its only right for us to make them known to you.

Thus, its with much gratitude and thanks that we'd like to introduce you to our main collaborative partner - Galeri Petronas.

Established by the Malaysian multinational petroleum company Petronas, Galeri Petronas runs on the philosophy of providing a platform for expressing views and opinions on social issues through art, hence, also acting as a catalyst for positive reforms while promoting art as a universal language that transcends man-made barriers. Its existence also promotes the development and preservation of art by providing the gallery as a venue for art displays, sponsoring documentations and publications on mainly Malaysian art. Seeing thus, CAIS Project is absolutely priviledge to have Galeri Petronas as a collaborator as they have not just been far reaching with their vision in pioneering many local arts initiatives, but they have also been an avid advocate and initiator in many educational and public arts program that has helped promote art education and appreciation among people from all walks of life. Not only so, Galeri Petronas is also very much interested to take these educational and public arts program to another level with positive expansion possibilities.

With one of our primary objectives to open the door of contemporary art to students at Stella Maris and beyond, by allowing them to experience as well as to understand the creative imagination of contemporary artists at a closer view, Galeri Petronas's collaborative efforts in funding and support has definitely helped us much in seeing to fruition all that we envision the project to be.

We invite you to pay them a visit at Level 3, Suria KLCC whenever you can make the time to, it would certainly be a worthwhile experience!

SUPPORTERS: Annexe Grants For Grabs & Matahati Art Fund

2008-08-02T13:50:00.011+08:00

CAIS Project is also supported by the Annexe Grants for Grabs as well as the Matahati Art Fund.

The Annexe's Grants For Grabs is made possible by an inaugural donation of RM 50,000.00 by Fashion Inc's Mana Batik exhibition. The Annexe at Central Market, which came into existence in January 2007, has become a space much loved for its accessibility, artist-audience interactivity and alternative nature. It hosts all manner of art form and expression and has attracted projects that are experimental, multidisciplinary and socially conscious. In an effort to help create an artistically aware and critical public, The Annexe also provides workshops that offer participants an avenue to gain new skills and perspectives, exchange views and express themselves. The Annexe's Grants For Grabs naturally follows this vision.

Do drop by here to witness the Grants Giving Ceremony to all 7 recipients including CAIS. Do see if you can spot one of our representatives there?!

The Matahati Art Fund is set aside and prepared for the support of our local artists and art scene. It is intended to assist in the welfare of those artists in need, which includes incidences involving natural disasters, accidents or health issues. The Art Fund can also be used as a grant for artists initiating art projects and art activities.

CAIS Project is truly blessed to have garnered the support from these two benevolent funds and we're truly honoured and proud to execute this project with these bodies behind us.

ARTIST's CORNER - Dean Linguey

2008-07-23T07:32:00.005+08:00

What is the central concept that governs your work?
The content centres around the idea of the bell as a marker of time and how we respond to it. The form, in this case sound and an object, is a continuing conceptual concern of mine – that is, how do we perceive the world through sound and inversely how does our awareness and articulation of sound affect the world we create. I could go on about spatial and object identification through sound, sound as a material, relationships between sound and image but these are inevitable concerns when an artist uses sound.

What inspires you? What do you do to get inspired? What inspires your work?
I find nature inspiring – oceans, rivers, jungle the sky. Also I am inspired by the way human agency (what we do to get by) adapts and manipulates current situations and how we are in turn affected by them. Creativity in others inspires me, a good story, worksongs and workers, particular writers, cities, the great unknown, deadlines.

To get inspired I like to get out of the city and have a chat with nature, read, hang out with friends, do something, talk to a stranger. My work is inspired by what I see and hear around me day to day. Trying to live and be in the moment inspires my work while at the same time trying to find a balance or coexistence between an idea and an expression.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
While I don’t think my work is political in an obvious way I do consider my work to be of a political nature, dealing with social issues. These are, I think, not in relation to current events directly but more to do with how people deal with each other and the world on a more personal level. I am constantly amazed by the enormous differences in peoples living conditions who may live “next door” to each other.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
I’m not exactly sure what a contemporary artist is but I think I am one.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
To find the truth.

Do you think the role of a contemporary artist has changed from the 20th century to the 21st century within the social structure of society? Has this effect/influence your practice of art in relation to this shift/change?
In the early 20th century there seemed to be a closer link between ideas in the arts and the sciences for instance. Some artists were made superstars and became infamous for their lifestyles and more famous it seemed after they died. Actually maybe nothing has changed that much except there are more artists now. Contemporary art takes on so many different forms and is for many different reasons that it is difficult to talk about it generally. I sometimes wonder why I do what I do and what is it for and I can only say for me, creativity is an important part of being alive and after trying different things in my life so far, this is where I am right now.

Do you think art education plays a big role in shaping our future generation/nation building? If yes, how?
Yes. I think art education is important as it develops a way of thinking that doesn’t seem to be covered so much in other areas. Working with your hands, making things, creating anything you want out of your imagination and thinking laterally are important I reckon.

Are there any role models that you’ve had (within/ with out art practice)?
I was involved in a performance company for a while and the director, a Malaysian actually, Tony Yap was not so much of a role model, because I didn’t want to be like him, but I learnt a lot from him and the way he creates is still inspiring to this day.

Who’d you like to meet (passed on/alive) if you had the chance to?
My great-great grandfather, Mohamed, Ryszard Kapuscinski, Joseph Beuys, Jesus, Antonin Artaud, Farish A. Noor, Wong Hoy Cheong.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Moby Dick and From Majapahit to Putrajaya.

Do you have a favourite superhero? Who?
I like superheroes who are part human, part animal or have some link with animals.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
Some kind of writer I think.

Second Phase of the Project : MEETINGS in JULY

2008-07-22T07:32:00.011+08:00

The team met up to have a short discussion and updates on the progress of the project on 13 July 2008. On the same day itself, it was also the very 1st session of workshop with the Mural artist Chuah Chong Yong. Consequently after the workshop, we adjourned to the nearest hospital (Tung Shin) for lunch and subsequently had our meeting there too. It was quite a first for a few of us, having lunch at a hospital, but it was nonetheless memorable. We discussed on the possibilities in obtaining several media sponsors from our local papers as well as confirmed the content of the information in our posters. We also spent some time discussing on the need to invite college students who might be interested in projects like these to be gallery sitters for the CAIS exhibition. A budget was briefly allocated for that while we source for the right people.

Having had a journey of 7 months into the project, it was about time that we also thought about ways to possibly plan a feasible system to obtain feedback from students about the project after it is completed. Tentative plans to meet up with local artist Liew Kung Yu was further scheduled in August for an in depth dialogue session to see how we can engage with him to plan just that. Alongside this, we also briefly discussed on the building of a physical feedback system in the school itself to collect the thoughts of students about the project as to whether they like or dislike it.

In addition to this, we are really glad that Stella Maris has approved of our proposal to conduct a film screening session at the roof top of the school in conjunction with the project. Tentative plans are set to screen local made short films at Stella Maris on the 28th and 29th of August 2008.

At the end of July, the CAIS Project team was given a scheduled interview with writer Grace Chin from The Edge Malaysia! We were truly honoured with the opportunity and had a great time giving our thoughts and perspectives on the various questions asked. See below images for the complete write up by Grace Chin - The Edge Malaysia.

ARTIST's CORNER - Wong Hoy Cheong

2008-07-20T08:28:00.007+08:00

In the Artist's Corner series, we will be posting information related to our invited artists for the CAIS Project such as their bio, creative works, Q&A (questions prepared by CAIS Project team and answered by artists) etc. This aims to provide the students and the public a closer glimpse of the personal thoughts and insights relevant to the individual art practice of the artists who are involved in this project.

What is the central concept that governs your work?
Retrieval of stories through fun and play.

What engages you as an artist? What issues engages you? Does it drive your direction of work in any particular area?
Stories, anecdotes, history. Visuality and enjoyment of sensorial experiences.

In your opinion, do you consider yourself a contemporary artist?
Yes, I do.

What do you think is the role of a contemporary artist in society?
The late Ismail Zain once said that contemporary art should reflect the impinging values of the society at that point in time. In these times, the "impinging values" are so wide and varied, and visual art has absorbed anything sensorial into its realm – easel painting, performance, media, film and video, architecture, activism, etc.

Do you think the role of a contemporary artist has changed from the 20th century to the 21st century within the social structure of society? Has this effect/influence your practice of art in relation to this shift/change?
I would argue for a more open, pliant and malleable notion of contemporary art, particularly in trying to activate, or even challenge, the senses there and then rather than attempt to hope for a post-experience criticality, reflexivity. The now seems as important as the "post". The retrieval and activation the sensorial for the audience, the element of play and as valid as the social and political.

Who’d you like to meet (passed on/alive) if you had the chance to?
God.

What is the most recent book you’ve read?
Multitude, Michael Hardt & Antonio Negri

Do you have a favourite superhero? Who?
None.

What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
A man of leisure, a farmer, a doctor.

Second Phase of the Project : 2ND MEETING in JUNE

2008-07-07T07:36:00.011+08:00

Another late meeting on a Friday night. This time we had it at a Mamak restaurant at Brickfield. To backtrack, actually we started the meeting at the Macdonald near Central Market around 8pm, but it closed at 10:30pm. So we had to relocate, yeap! Tried to find another restaurant nearby but all the stores pretty much closed at 10pm-11pm in that area. So ended up driving to Brickfield to continue our meeting. By the time we left, it was already passed midnight, and we were the last customers to leave the restaurant!!!

On a side note, what a coincidence to bump into Pang Khee Teik, the Arts Programme Director and the self-proclaimed air con remote control man for The Annexe Gallery, Central Market Annexe, Kuala Lumpur (see the amazon.com profile) at the restaurant. Have to admit, KL is a pretty small city:) For those who don't know, he is another well known figure who is actively involved in the local art scene.

Second Phase of the Project : WORKSHOP RECRUITMENT DAY

2008-07-07T06:28:00.006+08:00

It was Workshop Recruitment Day on Friday 27th June 2008! Knowing that the students at Stella Maris High School had finished their school exams on the 25th June, we figured it would be the right time to promote the artist workshops to the students by inviting the artists in-charged to do a short presentation about their workshops during the recess time in the morning and in the afternoon. We believed that the students would be able to interact with the artists and have the opportunity to find out more about the details of the workshops through this brief yet meaningful activity. Our very dedicated team members, Tay Sy and Chang Hwang were at the school to assist the workshop artists in setting up the presentation, and to ensure things were running smoothly in the process of recruiting students to sign up for the workshops.

Overall the response was good. There were more students who have signed up for the workshops than we could accommodate. Our main concern now is to make sure the students who have signed up will commit themselves in attending the workshops eventually. In order to make this happen, we're truly grateful that the principal of Stella Maris is providing us as much help as possible in realizing this project by convincing the parents of the students in allowing their children to participate in this enriching experience. Hopefully everything will turn out the way that we have planned!

ART INSIGHTS: ART THAT REMEMBERS

2008-07-06T22:25:00.014+08:00

Once read a quote by Edmund Burke on the sentiments of tragedy which says, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." A prominent event that echo this very ethos is that of the holocaust. Centuries has passed and we are often caught in the threat of forgetting. But forget we shall not as there's just too much pain to be forgotten, and with the efforts of many to make sure we remember, through art, books, memorial museums and even the internet, we do remember and must remember.

Likened to these many efforts, this pivotal body of work by Oscar Munoz on 'The Disappeared' project, we see art playing its role in questioning the very essence of our humanity with relation to non-action with a different horror. "In the 1970's, those considered threats to their country were kidnapped, tortured, and killed by their own military, especially in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The tragedy arises to the sad fact that the cause of their disappearance was never known. They merely disappeared. Art in this work is seen to fight the amnesia of forgetting what was once known as horror in the lives of many who had been taken at birth from those who opposed the government and adopted into military families in Latin America." - North Dakota Museum of Art.

Munoz would paint the portraits of these disappeared lives unto a cemented pavement and as time progresses, air would dry up the water and these portraits would disappear. Simple, yet powerful. Do take a look at the video below too and may we be challenged to never forget regardless. In the context of our nation of Malaysia, do wish that there was something like this done with our May 1969 event. Much to reconcile, much to remember.

Second Phase of the Project : POSTING ARTIST WORKSHOPS INFO AT STELLA MARIS

2008-06-24T11:01:00.060+08:00

Finally! We are ready to promote the Artist Workshops to the students of Stella Maris High School! There are a total of 4 Artist Workshops to be conducted from July to September in conjunction with this project. All the basic information about the workshops were gathered from the artists (Chuah Chong Yong, Amanda Heng, Au Sow Yee, Chan Yoong Chia & Teoh Ming Wah) and transfered to A3 size posters. Tay Sy and Chang Hwang brought all the posters and posted them on the notice boards at the atrium right next to the school canteen last Friday (20th of June 2008). The chosen location of the atrium is very strategic as it is where students often gather and hang out outside of their classrooms. We hope the colourful design of the posters will attract students' attention and create interest for them to sign up for the workshops, where they will get a rare opportunity to interact closely with practicing contemporary artists.

| ARTIST WORKSHOP 1 - Chuah Chong Yong |

| ARTIST WORKSHOP 2 - Amanda Heng |

| ARTIST WORKSHOP 3 - Au Sow Yee |

| ARTIST WORKSHOP 4 - Chan Yoong Chia & Teoh Ming Wah |

Second Phase of the Project : MEETING in JUNE

2008-06-24T07:31:00.009+08:00

Our project is definitely requiring more of our time as we progress towards the dates for this exciting event. As all of us who are in the organizing team have a day time job from Monday to Sunday, the only possibility to meet up for a discussion is in the evening. Normally we would meet up for 3-4 hours. But for the last meeting, we broke the record. We had a really long meeting at Sau Bin's warm and cozy house in Cheras from 8pm-4am on Friday June 13th 2008. Even though our brains were pretty much fried when the clock pointed to 1am, we managed to drank some strong mocha, courtesy of Sau Bin, which kept most of us alert through out the rest of the discussion. Nevertheless, the outcome for the meeting was extremely productive. Many issues and matters were discussed in depth and taken care of at the end of the day.

As we enter into the second phase of the project, things are really picking up. Looking at our projected timeline which involves the completion of a long list of tasks, we realized that we need more brains and hands to assist us in managing the project. So we invited an additional member into our team, Phuan Thai Meng, who is also a member from RAP. At this stage of the project, we have moved from less of curating the show to more of producing and promoting the event. New responsibilities were delegated among the 7 of us :

Production Managers : Chai Chang Hwang & Wong Tay Sy
Financial Manager : Wong Tay Sy
Public Relations Manager : Yap Sau Bin
Exhibition & Technical Managers : Chong Kim Chiew & Phuan Thai Meng
Publicity & Design Managers : Foo Wei Meng & Candice Ng

ART INSIGHTS: ONCE UPON A SCHOOL

2008-06-14T09:16:00.016+08:00

Following our week's stint of introducing to you various art insights, today we'd like to bring to you an eye-opening dream of Dave Eggers, (TED Prize winner 2008) which has much relevance to CAIS in both purpose and call.

Once Upon A School is a community initiative by Dave Eggers, determined to bring about positive change and communal support to public schools through programs catered specifically for each school's individual needs. The strength of this initiative is not in the programs itself but rather in the very act of a community coming together and working towards contributing back into the lives of its students. What started off as an after school tutoring program (826 Valencia) with professionals in the field contributing personal hours into tutoring students soon became a well received and appraised phenomenon. Quoting from the site, "The students come to 826 because it’s fun, it’s warm, it’s full of people who care — but who don’t HAVE to care. That is, the average students knows his teacher has to help with his schoolwork, and he knows his parents have to help. But there’s something very new and transformative about meeting a member of the community — a professional journalist, a radio disc jockey, a graduate student, an advertising copywriter, a software developer, a retired lawyer — and have that person give them 2-3 hours of undivided attention. Almost without exception, student achievement and understanding leaps when they are given this concentrated one-on-one attention. Teachers and parents love the help, and the students get to ask a hundred questions until they truly understand a concept."

Take a look at this talk by Dave Eggers, challenging the public to personally and creatively engage with local public schools. With spellbinding eagerness, he talks about how his 826 Valencia tutoring center inspired others around the world to do likewise.

We are truly excited with this movement that has started as CAIS Project with Stella Maris seeks to be a reflection of a similar cause. By initiating an alternative space that brings artist (click to view artist's list) who are professionals in their fields to come in closer contact with the students of a particular community and engage deeply with them, we hope to grant an opportunity for students to be exposed to contemporary art through the experiential learning of close interaction with artists.The significance of CAIS is valued in the method in which the next generation is reached, informed and educated about the importance of contemporary art.

In addition to this interaction, the project also introduces an exhibition unlike any other. By installing site specific works of local and foreign contemporary artist works at Stella Maris, the project sets an atmosphere and experience unlike that of a traditional gallery, but rather, a location where students get to ‘coexist ‘ with the artworks daily, allowing them to simply engage with the artworks on a regular basis in a familiar environment.

Do take some time with us as we journey to discover more and more of this community art's project's potential, one of which we truly believe has much calling for. At the meantime, do take a browse at this awesome community platform just mentioned above and find more insights on the direction we're heading. As we journey, it becomes more and more evident of how much a band of brothers we are across nations. Multiple ideas, similar cause.

Have a good read!

First Phase of the Project : PROJECT TIMELINE

2008-06-10T09:13:00.021+08:00

The presentation for the CAIS Project video trailer went really well yesterday at Stella Maris High School. Based on our observation, everyone especially the students enjoyed watching the video very much. It was definitely a good starting point in launching the project, and definitely worth all the efforts that we had put in to make it happen.

Right now, our task is to gradually move towards the second phase of this project, which involves running the workshops, the production and the promotional aspects for the event. In order to better organize our tasks and keep track of the deadlines, a project timeline was drafted and printed out for easy perusal and reference. Somehow, it does look less daunting and more manageable when we put everything down on a piece of paper, albeit rather a huge one with the long list of tasks involved to run this project.

CAIS PROJECT VIDEO TRAILER!

2008-06-09T10:12:00.006+08:00

Here's presenting to you, the long awaited official CAIS Project video trailer! To all Stella Maris students and staff involved, we thank you sincerely for your willing participation. We encourage you to leave us a note on your thoughts at the widget on the right of this blog, it would be great to hear from all of you. If you'd like to link us up, do feel free to do so too.

So without further a due, have a nice watch and we look forward with anticipation as the dates grow nearer to the final exhibition.

First Phase of the Project : MAKING CAIS PROJECT VIDEO TRAILER

2008-06-09T09:23:00.013+08:00

On May 20th 2008, we made a trip to Stella Maris High School in the early morning. The purpose of this visit was to shoot a short CAIS Project video trailer at the school featuring some students and staffs based on a pre-determined story board. The finished video is to be presented to the students on the 9th of June 2008 during the morning assembly with the intention of promoting CAIS Project and its blog to the students. It will also be posted in this blog and in youtube.

It was a blast making the video with the students and staffs at the school! Questions that are relevant to the content of this art event (mostly related to the art works that will be exhibited in the project) were asked randomly to the interviewees. Some of the responses were funny and unexpected, some serious and conventional. For those who have yet to watch it, please check it out!

Khoo Eng Yow, who was the videographer and producer, did an amazing job with the video. We are very grateful and appreciate his collaborative effort in making the trailer the way that we have envisioned it. Much sincere thanks.

Spoiler Alert: The puppet character, code name "Miss Cun" was a fairly big hit with the interviewees. It's definitely not that common to have an undercover agent to penetrate into the school and investigate a secret project with a scope like this. There were a total of 17 suspects being discovered initially, but ONE person was successfully identified in the end. A Form One student by the name of...hmmm...maybe it's best for you to find out by watching the video.

Side Note: On the same day that we were shooting the video, the students at the school were having a fund raising campaign at the atrium. They were selling candies to raise funds for the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar. Paper cranes were also hung in the atrium as a manifestation of their blessings to the victims.

First Phase of the Project : CURATORIAL MEETING in APRIL

2008-06-09T08:24:00.005+08:00

This time around, we had our curatorial meeting at Tay Sy's house.

It was already three months into the project planning, we were struck by how little time we had, seeing that the project was to be held at the end of August.

All of us who are involved in this project would really like to make this an annual program, but funding is a big concern. In order to run a public art program like this in Malaysia, private funding (such as art grant and sponsorship) is the only possible source of support. Yet, we are determined to make the event an insightful and memorable experience for the students at Stella Maris High School. Hopefully through this first attempt, it will successfully demonstrate to others the possibility of running an art program similar to CAIS Project in other schools, resulting a collective effort to create more awareness and appreciation of contemporary art among our younger generation in this country.

First Phase of the Project : MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF STELLA MARIS

2008-06-09T08:05:00.008+08:00

Margaret Martinez, the principal of Stella Maris High School was gracious to invite us for a dinner at the Mayflower Restaurant in Brickfields. During the informal meeting, we discussed more in depth about the project and updated her with the progress from our side. A long-time friend of hers, Marion D. Cruz, a Malaysian figure who is a prominent advocate for local art, was also present at the dinner. In fact, she was the one who brought the interest of the principal to our attention in the beginning.

Margaret Martinez, Principal of Stella Maris High School

First Phase of the Project : CURATORIAL MEETING REGARDING ARTIST PROPOSALS

2008-06-09T07:54:00.008+08:00

Met up to discuss about the proposals submitted by artists at Old Town in Central Market.

First Phase of the Project : ENDORSEMENT LETTER FROM STELLA MARIS

2008-06-09T07:20:00.004+08:00

An endorsement letter from the principal of Stella Maris High School was officially issued on the 25th of February 2008.

First Phase of the Project : FIRST VISIT TO SCHOOL

2008-06-09T06:53:00.008+08:00

On a sunny Sunday morning (17th February 2008), we paid our first visit to Stella Maris High School with a few artists. The school is situated at Jalan Robertson, off Jalan Pudu, in the downtown area of Kuala Lumpur. A helpful and friendly school guard very kindly showed us around. We managed to look at the school compound, and located potential sites for artists to display or showcase their work. We also took many pictures and videos for future reference.

ART INSIGHTS: MAKING ART WITH ALMOST ANYTHING

2008-06-09T05:48:00.008+08:00

Art is very often associated with the application of creativity regardless of medium. Here we have an interesting talk from Vik Muniz explaining his artworks created using wire, threads, sugar and chocolate. He makes art from pretty much anything, be it shredded paper, wire, clouds or diamonds. Here he describes the thinking behind his work and takes us on a tour of his incredible images.

For more on his interesting works, do check out his personal site.

First Phase of the Project : THE BIRTH OF CAIS PROJECT

2008-06-09T04:27:00.010+08:00

The idea for this project has sprouted sometime beginning of this year. It has been progressively developed with a very positive note since January.

After being approached by the principal of Stella Maris High School, Margaret Martinez, who expressed her interest in initiating an art project and event for the school with the intention of exposing students to contemporary art, we ( a team of 6 people who are passionate in promoting art educational project) decided to take this up and run with it! We figured this is something quite new in Malaysia, and seeing that there weren't many public art program similar to this being organized in the country---a sad situation from the lack of support from the government---why don't we take matters into our own hands and start doing something.

And thus, CAIS Project - "Contemporary Art in School Project" was born. Carried with it the hope of creating more opportunities to educate the younger generation about contemporary art in school.

ART INSIGHTS: WHAT IS ART?

2008-06-08T17:16:00.005+08:00

A really interesting take on art. Take a look.

ART INSIGHTS: XU BING IN CONVERSATION

2008-06-08T15:19:00.020+08:00

In alignment with our desire to inform and bring about a heightened understanding and interest of contemporary art to students and their community, we will constantly feature a series of articles, videos, podcasts, profiles+works of various local and international contemporary artists that are on the cutting edge of the field. So do keep a look out for our Art Insights periodically.

As a first, here's a feature on Xu Bing, a Chinese artist who has lived and work in New York since 1990. "Xu’s art stems from an alienated relationship to language. His breakthrough installation, “A Book from the Sky” (1987), featured hundreds of beautifully bound books and giant scrolls that arched across ceilings and down walls. The documents contained 4000 unreadable characters -– a new language that Xu had created. The installation puzzled Chinese and international viewers alike. The Chinese approached the texts expecting to find legible writing, while non-Chinese viewers viewed the work as a comment on the artist’s ruptured culture. Xu insists that the project, like all his text-based installations, was not about his personal history at all. Instead, these works express his doubt about cultural authority on the larger level. In the gap that exists between the serious execution and presentation of the books -- which seem like authentic classical volumes -- and the underlying absurdity of the project, the artist points out the disconnection between official and private uses of language." |ArtandCulture|

Interestingly, how Xu Bing got about to this level of expression in his art owes it back to his childhood. The son of a professor and a librarian, he spent his early years surrounded by books that he could not read. His school years coincided with the Cultural Revolution, when he and other children were sent off to camps to learn Mao’s new official language, which was regularly changed to meet official doctrine. He returned home to his parents only to meet yet another language, now strange to him, and a new culture of control –- to instill discipline, his father made him copy classical Chinese characters every day. For Xu, these characters came to represent the forces of authority rather than a vital link to his ancient culture. As we believe that discipline precedes blessings, its evident that this stringent copying of Chinese characters brought about interesting observations for Xu and to present, a very deep understanding of its propriety to culture and art.

Do check this video out. Its a discussion of Xu Bing with Curator Wu Hong on the topic of his works.

UNIQUE EXHIBITION LOCATION

2008-03-23T21:23:00.023+08:00

One of the extensive key developments of contemporary art is the merging of art with the environment such as public art and installation art. The environment, which encompasses a wide variety of spaces and places, both private and public, has become an important element of consideration during the decision making process in creating an artwork.

Careful selection of a specific space for each artwork is needed because the location of choice is crucial in defining the context/meaning that are being projected by a particular artwork. For this exhibition, where the given location is unique due to its nature of being a public area in a private setting, there are many ways in presenting an artwork in the school compound to elicit interaction from the crowd — it can be displayed on the wall, floor, corridor, ceiling, or installed in an open space, etc; it can also be projected (video clips, images), played (sound installation) or performed to a live audience.

In this exhibition, artists are strongly encouraged to exhibit their art works in both interior and exterior space of the school compound. Saying so, primary and secondary locations have been identified for potential art spaces as below :

PRIMARY :

| Canteen |

| Atrium |

| Corridors |

| Walls Next to Stairs |

| Museum |

| School Entrance |

| Assembly Hall |

| Elevated Arena Seating of Indoor Basketball Court in Auditorium |

SECONDARY :

| Toilets |

| Roof Top Glass |

| Locker Room |

| Outdoor Basketball Court |

| Indoor Basketball Court |

| Gym |

| Library |

| Theatre |

| All Classrooms |

STELLA MARIS LOCATION VIDEOS

2008-03-21T02:20:00.021+08:00

LIST OF INVITED ARTISTS

2008-03-17T21:42:00.010+08:00

Artists:
Ahmad Fuad Osman
Low Yi Chin
Chang Yoong Chia + Teoh Ming Wah
Vincent Leong
Wong Hoy Cheong
Chuah Chong Yong
Kok Siew Wai
Fahmi Fadzil
Dean Linguey
Lim Kok Yong
Amanda Heng
Ooi Kooi Hin
Shia Yih Yiing
Tengku Sabri + Mastura
Au Sow Yee
Erica Eaton
Patricia Leong
Reuben Teo

SIGNIFICANCE OF CAIS

2008-03-17T21:32:00.006+08:00

The current culture of our education system do not strongly support an enriching exposure towards the understanding of arts in our youths today. Without a strong support and concrete system of cultivation and development of interest towards the importance or influence of arts in a society, our youths are not equipped with the ability to appreciate and explore the full potential of art at their level. Thus by bringing the artworks to the students, CAIS serves as a bridge to narrow the gap of inexposure towards the function and appreciation of art.

As a non-profit art organization, we strongly believe that its our responsibility to take action and stop playing ‘pass-the-buck’ by initiating a project like this as an outreach program for the benefits of our youths.

The significance of CAIS is valued in the method in which the next generation is reached, informed and educated about the importance of contemporary art. The project sets an atmosphere and experience unlike that of a traditional gallery, but rather, a location where students get to ‘coexist ‘ with the artworks daily, allowing them to simply engage with the artworks on a regular basis in a familiar environment. In addition to that, the organizer recognizes the importance of creating a participatory experience between students and artists. This tangible and first hand experience is made possible through a series of activities that will be held to provide the audience with further insights into the identity of contemporary art.

1) Art Tour
There will be guided art tour during the exhibition. The guide will analyze the concept of creation, the usage of language and medium in each artwork so that the audience/students can understand the basic principle of contemporary art.

2) Art Talk
i) Artist presentation
Artists are invited to do a presentation of their works during the exhibition. They will share their inspirations, personal thoughts and process of different stages in their art creation. Such interaction will enhance audience’s appreciation of the creative process and their understanding of the constant challenges that are being faced by art practitioners.
ii) Art Seminar
The manifestation of everyday life has become a regular subject matter for contemporary art practitioners. Our appreciation of art is closely related and complemented by its changes. The purpose of this activity is to broaden audience’s perception of contemporary art through the exchange and discussion of ideas.

3) Art Workshop
Artists are encouraged to conduct workshops for the students and produce artwork for the exhibition, which could be a solo or collaborative effort depending on the nature of the workshop. Such experiential learning process will enhance intellectual and creative interaction between artists and students.

EXHIBITION LOCATION - STELLA MARIS

2008-03-17T20:57:00.029+08:00

About Stella Maris
Established in 1937, Stella Maris strives for academic excellence as well as excellence in character development. The school endeavours to develop and foster in today’s children those mental and physical qualities that will make them high achievers.

Stella Maris believes the importance of sending a child to a proper school which can offer a good environment for positive interaction with others and the opportunity to develop personal initiative and enterprise. The aim of the school is to fulfill all these positive needs.Stella Maris has the vision of becoming the preferred choice and centre of excellence in primary and secondary education for the development of the whole person. The mission for the school is to produce loyal, thinking, caring, moral citizens who serve our society in truth and justice through quality-driven, knowledge-based and value-enriched education.

http://stellamaris.edu.my/

OBJECTIVES OF CAIS

2008-03-17T20:50:00.006+08:00

1) To provide an educational platform for contemporary art
Contemporary Art is one of pluralism and eclecticism. It is no longer formally categorised into distinctive forms of art and art movements such as painting, printmaking, impressionism, cubism etc. It has become more ambiguous and cross-disciplinary, thus a new way of learning about it in an alternative environment needs to be established in order to understand this unique approach to art. As an educational platform, a school like Stella Maris is different from the conventional commercial art spaces. The school carries the significant role of inculcating values and instilling knowledge to the next generation, making it the ideal choice for learning and experiencing contemporary art in a fresh context.

2) To cultivate an appreciation for contemporary art through the understanding of its role in society
Art is a vehicle for human expression of emotions and ideas; it stimulates human senses as well as the mind. It serves as a means for exploring truth in matters of life that entails questioning and reflection. The exhibited artworks offer the audience multiple ideas made manifest through material means. By exposing the audience to various approaches of art creation in this exhibition, it will inspire them to reflect upon their life experiences and environments, thus causing them to develop an integral understanding of their existence and learn to appreciate the value of contemporary art.

3) Creating an audience participatory exhibition space to encourage exchange and interaction between audience and artists
The concept of art creation is not considered complete without the engagement of an audience. An artist creates an experience, an environment or a subject matter that can be shared with others through the use of multiple media, techniques and an array of imagination. The Interactive and Inter-subjective characteristics in contemporary art today are what constitutes to it being in a constant state of flux. Contemporary art has developed into an art form that embraces active participation of the audience in the process rather than it simply inducing a static form of interaction. At the same time, the collective or collaborative method of producing artwork, which involves a parallel and cross directional creative process, encourages exchange and interaction between audience and artists. This practice has spurred the ever-expanding potential of art, thus enhancing its richness and complexity.

CAIS - CONTEMPORARY ART IN SCHOOL PROJECT

2008-03-05T22:32:00.005+08:00

Organized by :
Rumah Air Panas (RAP)

Exhibition Duration :
25 – 8 – 2008 to 6 – 9 – 2008

Public Viewing :
30 – 8 – 2008 (Saturday)
31 – 8 – 2008 (Sunday)
1 – 9 – 2008 (Monday)
6 – 9 – 2008 (Saturday)

Sponsors :
We're in the process of obtaining grants

Location :
Sekolah Menengah Stella Maris (Persendirian),
Jalan Robertson, Off Jalan Pudu, 50150 Kuala Lumpur

Audience :
Students/ Teachers/ Staffs/ Parents/ Public of Stella Maris
Public & Invited School Students and Teachers

This exhibition intends to create an opportunity for students to be exposed to contemporary art by allowing them to experience closer interaction with artists and built a holistic understanding of their creative imagination in the process of art making.

Ever since the popularity of Modern Art, art has evolved into to two major trends: the expanding of aesthetic context (e.g. absurd, fashionable, favorable and etc.), and the development of art forms (e.g. photography, film making, internet and etc.)
specifically towards the direction of combining art with different disciplines such as psychology, mass communication, sociology and so on, resulting in a diverse language of art yet vibrant in the connotation for the art creations.Hence, the organizer will invite artist to participate in this exhibition and organize several related activities such as art tour, artist presentation and art talk during the event. Hopefully by creating an environment that reflects the contemporary art scene, the audience will embark on an insightful journey of social and cultural discovery.