By Aida Aziz
IPOH: The 3rd edition of the Ipoh International Arts Festival (IIAF 2023) will take place from December 2 to 12 at various plocations in this city.
The festival, which gathers more than 100 local and international art enthusiasts, is organized by People Of Remarkable Talents (PORT) in collaboration with the National Art Gallery, and with the support of the Ipoh City Council, Maju Perak Holdings, and Tourism Perak
PORT Chief Manager, Nur Hanim Mohamed Khairuddin, mentioned that this edition also involves strategic partners such as Filamen, Kapallorek Artspace, Projek Rabak, Groundzero Art Collective, and Patani Artspace (Thailand).
Furthermore, Kersan Art Studio (Indonesia), Italian Council (Italy), High Commission of Canada to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Gamon Society, and 42nd Pictures are also part of the collaboration.
She said that the purpose of organizing IIAF 2023 is to make Ipoh one of the cities with an annual ‘signature’ festival.
It simultaneously attracts tourists, art enthusiasts, cultural researchers, and collectors from both within and outside the country.
“The theme pivots around the question ‘in a world with diminishing human values, can art still maintain its significance? If our environment no longer exists, does art still hold meaning?’.
“In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, where knowledge accumulates so much knowledge, only the touch of humanity is capable of distinguishing something truly extraordinary.
“In line with the recent achievement of UNESCO Creative City status, the Ipoh International Art Festival is expected to be one of the entities that can complement the local art and culture ecosystem
“Themed “Marcapada: The World Today,” IIAF 2023 showcases approximately 100 artists and art enthusiasts from both within and outside the country.
“They will successfully organize a program featuring contemporary visual art, performing arts, experimental music, film and video art screenings, workshops, and art forums, in addition to fashion displays and concert performances,” she said here today.
Nur Hanim added, Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad will officiate the opening ceremony of the festival on December 2nd at 8 p.m. at Bazar Ipoh (Silveritage)
Furthermore, she said several strategic locations serve as the main venues for the festival, including Bazar Ipoh (Silveritage), Padang Ipoh and PORT.
“The IIAF 2023 lineup includes events such as the Marcapada: The World Today visual art exhibition, the ‘Terang’ light mapping exhibition, and the Transpacific: An Asian-Canada Literary Journey exhibition.
‘‘Music Night Situationship, Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (Japan), Marcapada Fashion Night and Indigenous People’s Craft Workshop and TEK-Tek Puppet Show.’
She said the contemporary art exhibition is a key component of IIAF2023 and is successfully organized in collaboration with the National Art Gallery.
She mentioned prominent Malaysian contemporary artists involved, such as Wong Hoy Cheong, Kim Ng, Noor Azizan Rahman Paiman, Suhaimi Fadzir, Saiful Razman, Suzy Sulaiman, Anniketyni Madian, and Azam Aris.
International artists include Stefano Cagol (Italy), Yasmin Jaidin (Brunei), Malaikat (Indonesia), Patani Artspace (Thailand), and Arafura Media Design (Indonesia).
