Art Residency in Hong Kong Wooferten

(PSCAP)

Like many cosmopolitan cities around the world such as Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, they are continuously facing the conflict between urban development and environmental conservation. How do we seek common ground while reserving differences? The team members of Petaling Street Community Art Project (PSCAP) had been invited by Wooferten Hong Kong for an art residency to exchange views in this particular subject matter.

The PSCAP was developed by a group of cultural conservationists and cross-disciplinary artists including members of Lostgens’ as a cultural resistance to counter the local government’s unprecedented forced land acquisition to clear way for massive railway construction projects that could potentially destroy the entire heritage sites.

For the first time, the valuable collection of old photographs, oral histories, short film records, and local music records of Petaling Street were “airlifted” to Hong Kong as part of the sharing and showcase on how art and culture strategies were employed to protect the old streets in Kuala Lumpur and how this community project was able to sustain with zero funding.

During the residency program at Wooferten, more than 100 black and white photos of Petaling Street dated from the 1880s to the 1960s were displayed. The film screening of “Save Jalan Sultan” in 2012 and 2013 were screened to the public. In addition, the screening of 916 Perayaan Tanglong 2011 was also screened showcasing the earlier struggle. The team also premiered a music video and exhibited conceptual photography as part of the visual presentations. Last but not least, a collection of over 50 local vinyl records in multiple Chinese dialects were also displayed.

Art show

On the opening day, the PSCAP team performed two performance art pieces at Wooferten which include “A Pile of Cement” instigated by team member Chong Keat Aun and Malaysian sound artist Rainf and “Malaysian Rojak” in which the team members cooked local Malaysian dishes on the street.

Lecture

The exchange seminar was held on July 20 (Sat) 2:30 ~ 4:30pm where the PSCAP members shared the most current updated situation with the project, their collective experiences in running the art projects and challenges faced by other old streets in Kuala Lumpur.

The key PSCAP Members: Yeoh Lian Heng, Chong Keat Aun, Low Khay Hooi, See Yee Wen, Tsuji Lam, Wong Siew Jiuan and Leong Lih Sy.