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By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
Ipoh – The Ipoh International Art Festival (IIAF 2023) returns with the theme “MARCAPADA: The World Today,” featuring approximately 100 artists and art enthusiasts from both domestic and international backgrounds, spanning from December 2 to 12.
Chief Executive of People of Remarkable Talents (PORT), Nur Hanim Dato’ Mohamed Khairuddin expressed that IIAF 2023 is a contemporary art festival organized by PORT.
“This annual signature festival aims to attract tourists, art enthusiasts, cultural researchers, and collectors from around the world, aligning with the recent UNESCO Creative City status achieved by Ipoh.
“With diverse content, IIAF 2023 includes exhibitions of contemporary visual art, performing arts, experimental music, film screenings, art video displays, art forum workshops, fashion shows, and concert performances.
“The Visual Art Exhibition, ‘Marcapada: The World Today,’ held at Silveritage, is a key component of IIAF 2023, presented in collaboration with the National Art Gallery. Renowned contemporary artists from Malaysia and abroad, including Stefano Cagol (Italy), Yasmin Jaidin (Brunei), Malaikat (Indonesia), Patani Artspace (Thailand), and Arafura Media Design (Indonesia), contribute to this exhibition,” said Nur Hanim in an interview with Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic.
On December 8, the ShortShorts Film Festival & Asia (Japan) will take place from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at PORT, Ipoh. Originating from Japan, ShortShorts is a prominent brand in the world of short films, and the festival, running since 1999, stands as one of Asia’s largest international short film festivals.
A demonstration on the crafting of replica sailboats by Azhar Kamaruddin, also known as Captain Jack, will be held at Silveritage on December 9, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
On the same day, the public can attend a contemporary fashion show by the UiTM Seri Iskandar Fashion Department, accompanied by experimental music from Space Gambus Experiment Silveritage, running from 8:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
December 10 will witness the Wayang Tek-Tek performance (9:00 PM – 10:00 PM), presented by the Main Wayang School & Orang Asli Youth.
IIAF 2023 was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Perak, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, on December 2 at Level 1, Ipoh Bazaar, Silveritage.
The evening featured experimental music performances by Rosemainy Buang (Singapore) and stage performances by Sada Borneo, capturing the audience’s attention.
All exhibitions and activities are open to the public free of charge.
For further information on IIAF 2023, please visit this link.