All articles of culture in Sabah

01Oct

Promoting Sabah through films

Kota Kinabalu: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will widen the scope of promoting Sabah, especially through creative content like films, said its Minister Mohammadin Ketapi. "When we talk about culture, art and heritage, it is not something new in terms of promotion. But now, the Ministry would like to make it wider where we will promote it in a bigger scale abroad," he said when officiating the premiere of Tangisan Akinabalu, here, Thursday. The film, inspired by the devastating 5.9 Richter scale earthquake that struck Ranau in 2015, tells a story of a group of mountain guides who were involved during the quake. Tangisan Akinabalu, shot in 2016 entirely in Kundasang, Mount Kinabalu and around the city, is produced by local production house New Line Film and directed by award-winning director Datuk Jurey Latiff Rosli. The lead actors are big screen debutants Yuri Mejal and Phantagerow, and assisted by a pool of Sabah's talented actors, with a special appearance by Datuk Yusof Haslam. More than 300 actors and 40 crew were involved in the production of the RM2.2 million Tangisan Akinabalu. The film is screened in 32 cinemas nationwide starting Thursday. "The Ministry will also provide incentives for local production houses to create more local creative contents…we will provide a bigger opportunity for exposure and promotion for them," said Mohamaddin. The State, he said, is naturally beautiful and its unique culture should be promoted through films so that it is better known by outsiders. "I hope these unique local stories can be showcased on the silver screen so that the culture of Sabah can be better appreciated internationally," he said. He added that the Ministry welcomed any proposals to promote Sabah culture whether in the form of film, drama, theatre, song and other activities to boost nation's arts industry. Mohamaddin also disclosed that he had discussed with the director and producer of Tangisan Akinabalu to include the film in the Ministry's international promotional programme. "Films are among the most suitable channel to promote beautiful and interesting locations, and local culture." Towards this end, he said, the Ministry plans to showcase the film in the World Travel Market London (WTM London) next month. WTM London is a leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. He also hoped the State Government through the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry can chip in to sponsor a pavilion to promote Sabah at the WTM London 2018. Meanwhile, he said Tangisan Akinabalu has a good storyline which can attract movie fans, especially locals, to the cinemas. "I was also informed that the cast and crew are nearly 100 per cent Sabahans. "Such opportunity and trust should be given to them as they, too, can be great film stars and crew in Malaysia," he said. Also present were Permanent Secretary to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, producer Datin Stelyviana Vie Dandam Sitoh and executive producer Rodih Madun.
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26Sep

RM50,000 for lantern festival celebration

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal yesterday announced a funding of the sum RM 50,000 for the Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration on September 29 at 6pm. Shafie will also be gracing the event as the guest of honour, while Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Christina Liew and Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide have been invited as the special guests for the festival. The Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration is jointly organized by The United Sabah Chinese Communities Associations of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) led by Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament (MP) Chan Foong Hin, Likas Assemblymen Tan Lee Fatt and Luyang Assemblymen Phoong Jin Zhe. In a courtesy call by the organizing committee yesterday, Shafie said the State Government would allocate a sum of RM50,000 in support of the Chinese cultural festival. He said the Mid-Autumn Festival was a meaningful activity as it provided an opportunity for the government to celebrate the event with people from all walks of life. “The Mid-Autumn Festival at Gaya Street is not only celebrated by the Chinese community, but also people from other races and ethnic groups, which in turn promote harmony and unity in our diverse society. “The event also enables foreign tourists to experience and enjoy the festivities in Sabah, especially those from China.” On another note, Shafie acknowledged support from the Chinese community during the 14th General Election (GE14), which was reflected in the unprecedented appointment of four full Chinese ministers in the State Cabinet. He also urged the Chinese community to continue to support the government’s policies, as well as create more business opportunities and reject corrupt practices. Also present at the courtesy call were USCCAKK vice president Datuk Michael Lui and Datuk Wong Hai Ming and the co-organizer Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw. The public are welcome to bring their family along to join the Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration this Saturday.   Source: Borneo Post Online    
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24Sep

Dollhouse earns pretty title

KOTA KINABALU: It is a “dollhouse” of sorts, suitable for people of all ages, featuring 300 dolls wearing Sabah’s great variety of traditional costumes. Chanteek Borneo, a museum that started in 2014 for visitors to get a glimpse of the “Little World of Sabah”, is located in Tamparuli. The exhibits, which are dressed in native costumes, are depicted in “scenes” in which they perform traditional rituals or go about a daily routine. On Friday, the museum was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first of its kind in the country.
It has now earned the title of being “The First Miniature Indigenous Museum” in the country.
Canteek Borneo owner, Anne Antah, said: “Even though the museum exhibits are in a miniature form, the exhibits were delicately handcrafted to resemble the actual costume designs.” However, she noted that the costumes might differ according to district or village, as well as changing times. As for the recognition by Malaysia Book of Records, she said this would not only add prestige and value to the tourism industry in Sabah but also allow visitors to get more information on Sabah’s diverse cultures. Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas, who was present at the Friday ceremony, said the recognition would not only attract more tourists, but would also encourage entrepreneurs to think out of the box. “This gallery is operated by locals. And the fact that they want to promote our heritage and Sabah’s unique cultures to the world through a gallery is something to be proud of,” she said. She said the gallery was “technology operated” in which visitors would sign in via a social media application – WeChat – instead of the usual guest book. “This resonates with young people as everyone is on their phone almost all the time now,” Rampas said. She said information on the costumes such as the ethnicity and district that they represent is available via a QR code. Source: The Star Online
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19Sep

Some 97 artists involved in the 5th Installation Art by the Bay

By PAUL MU KOTA KINABALU: Three art events were held concurrently in Kota Kinabalu last weekend to mark the Malaysia Day celebration hosted by Sabah. There were the Installation of Art by the Bay, Pillars of Sabah and Lighting Show at Oceanus. Before that, there were the murals all over the city and an art trail, all geared towards making Kota Kinabalu an art scene city. “We hope everybody will come forward to support us because art is the pinnacle of civilisation and we want the city like that as well,” said Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy Dr Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran. The event was launched by Federal Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi. He was speaking during the launch of the 5th Installation Art by the Bay at the boardwalk of Segama Waterfront last week. The installation themed, Eco Art Inspires in Celebration of Malaysia Day on Sept 15-18, is aimed to develop eco art tourism in Sabah. They also target to make the installation art to be commissioned and incorporated into the Kota Kinabalu City Beautification Plan. “After five years, we have grown a little and changed the public perception that art is not all about paintings or making sculptures but it can be an installation that is organic or tangible, or neither of both,” he said. “We got a lot of support from both the local and international artists who love art and wanted to see this event grow. I think we have kind of achieved our objectives after five years and there is always room for improvement as well. “The growth have been encouraging as we also have artists from Papar, Pitas, Tuaran, Petagas, Kota Belud and Sandakan, coming here for the long holidays to do something to educate and exchange ideas on the arts they created,” Dr Awangku said. Since last year the event has become international with participation from Brunei and Finland and this year, Singapore came into the frame, he said. He encouraged local artists to interact with overseas participants to get more ideas and inspirations. There are 17 different installations on the boardwalk. There are 14 teams from Sabah and one each from Penang, Brunei and Finland. About 97 artists together with family and friends were involved. The core organising committee consisted of UMS, Sabah Tourist Association, Lavinia Private Art Gallery, Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Sabah Art Gallery.   Source: New Sabah Times
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19Sep

Art, as a pillar of the nation

SABAHAN Red Hong Yi, who is internationally known for creating art using unconventional everyday materials, is back in her hometown to highlight the importance of Malaysia Day through a project called “Pillars of Sabah”. Red first shot to fame by creating a portrait of retired star athlete Yao Ming using a basketball dipped in red paint, and carving the face of Facebook chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg out of books. The 32-year-old artist also gained recognition for her other works, including painting Taiwanese musician Jay Chou’s face using coffee cup stains and creating Hollywood star Jackie Chan’s portrait with 64,000 chopsticks. Despite having travelled around the world for work and to showcase her art, Red says she still calls Sabah home and wants to honour the formation of Malaysia through Pillars of Sabah, which she is co-organising with her friend and local filmmaker Jared Abdul Rahman. “Jared and I were planning to create something during the election (that took place on May 9). “The idea was to paint the wall (at the Sabah Street Art Gallery) bright yellow, just to shock everyone, regardless of the outcome. “When the results came out, we wanted to do something great and meaningful to celebrate Malaysia, and that was why we decided to do this project and launch it on Malaysia Day. “We are doing this from the heart, and not for monetary reasons. We want to contribute to Sabah and show our pride of the state,” she says. Red and Jared recruited 30 professional and new artists around Sabah to participate in the project. Each artist was allocated a pillar to create art. According to Red, the artists were asked to paint the faces of people that they have come across in Sabah, who have inspired them. “The portrait does not necessarily have to be that of a Sabahan. It could be someone who contributed to Sabah in a big way, or someone who was born in Sabah, but has already left the state. “I will be creating a portrait of (Australian politician) Penny Wong, who lived in Sabah for eight years,” she says. Red adds that through the project, she was also able to navigate through the thorny issue of Malaysia’s formation history, which she says is a subject that many Sabahans still feel very strongly about. “I was in Melbourne (Australia) a few weeks ago and many of my friends from Peninsular Malaysia were asking me what I was up to. I told them I was working on the Pillars of Sabah project in Kota Kinabalu until Sept 16. “They said to me, that’s Sabah and Sarawak Day right? They had no idea that Sept 16 was Malaysia Day, which was interesting to me. “While I think it’s good to raise awareness on the subject, we should also be mindful of the delivery, instead of attacking those who may not understand the significance of Malaysia Day,” she says good-naturedly. The May 9 election saw the first change of government in the country, and Red says she hopes that the new government will continue to be supportive of the arts, as it was with Pillars of Sabah. “The arts can draw people to the state, and this can be good for tourism. It’s a way for people to express themselves, it brings joy and it is human,” she says. Source: The Star Online
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