MAPFEST 2011

MELAKA ARTS AND PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL TO RETURN THIS NOVEMBER – Nov 18-20th

Early in 2009, two Melakans were talking over teh tarik and were struck with an exciting and ambitious idea.  Those two Melakans were producer Andrew Ching of E-Plus Entertainment, and choreographer and director Tony Yap, and the idea was to create a unique and world-class festival in their birthplace.

A pilot version of Melaka Arts and Performance Festival (MAPFest) was held in 2009, focusing on performance.  In 2010, the festival grew in its scope, added a visual arts program, and gained official endorsement of the Melaka State Government and its Chief Minister, who launched the festival.  This year, the third Melaka Arts and Performance Festival will be held from 18-20 November.

‘Since the 16th century when, at the heart of the spice trade, it was one of the world’s most important ports,  Melaka has been a fertile ground for cultural exchange.  MAPFest builds on this history, and Melaka’s recent inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage City, whilst bringing innovation and the contemporary into focus.’ – Andrew Ching

MAPFest is developing a strong reputation for bringing leading Malaysian and international artists together in performances and exhibitions throughout Melaka’s stunning heritage precinct, including the majestic ruins of St Paul’s Church.  Festival events are free to all, and attract thousands of spectators.

New important collaborations have been formed between the festival and local institutions, resulting in the two exciting new visual arts venues – with the National University of Singapore (the Tun Tan Chen Lock Centre) and Badan Warisan Malaysia (No. 8 Heeren Street Heritage Centre).

The 2011 festival program will feature artists from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands, France and Indonesia, and will include two full-length performances and a return of the successful curated short works program ‘Cerita Pendik’ at St Paul’s Church, the popular short street performances around Melaka,  visual arts installtions, films, live music and magical large-scale projections.

I travel extensively in this region, and I know how rich it is with individual artists working outside the major companies. MAPFest gives a platform to these artists.  It focuses on creative collaboration, and drawing on the soul of the past and the spirit of the present. – Tony Yap

Two of the featured International artists in MAPFest 2011 are Domenico di Clario and Frank van der Ven. The full festival program and line-up of Malaysian and international artists is available at www.melakafestival.com

Born in Italy and resident in Australia, Domenico de Clario is a distinguished visual and performance artist whose work spans painting, drawing, sculpture, installation and performance.  Domenico has headed numerous organisations and university departments, held over 170 solo exhibitions, and been the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards and grants.  His work is held in collections worldwide, including Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.  For MAPFest 2011, Domenico will collaborate with Australian musician Sam Burke.

Frank van der Ven (Netherlands) is a dancer and director who spent his formative years in Japan working with Min Tanaka and the Maijuku Performance Company. In 1993 he founded with Katerina Bakatsaki ‘Body Weather Amsterdam’ as a platform for training and performance. Since 1995 he has conducted with Milos Sejn (Academy of Fine Arts Prague) the interdisciplinary Bohemia Rosa Project, connecting body and landscape with art, geology and architecture.  For MAPFest 2011 Frank will dance and offer a workshop.

The visual arts program has been formed by Australian artist Anthony Pelchen, having co-curated it last year as part of an Asianlink Rimbun Dahan residency.  Presenting this year are Azliza Ayob/ Liew Kwai Fei / Minstrel Kuik (Malaysia), Cheo Chai-Hiang (Singapore) and Trevor Flinn/ Cecily C Cheo/Anthony Pelchen (Australia).

The Tun Tan Chen Lock Centre will be the site for Azliza Ayob’s installation For Our Daughters – a dense field of radiant red flowers, made from discarded Mineral water bottles. No. 8 Heeren Street Heritage Centre will host Trevor Flinn, dressed inappropriately in cowboy gear, offering brewed coffee and chilli beans following the tent-based dream machine experience.

For more artists and other information, visit  www.melakafestival.com

Melaka Arts and Performance Festival principal sponsor E-Plus Entertainment, and supported by the Australia-Malaysia Institute, Tony Yap Company, Multicultural Arts Victoria.

For media interviews or updates contact
Suen Kar Nee – knsuen@eplus.com.my
or Tony Yap ¬ tonyyap@netspace.net.au

For Visual Arts: apelchen@vic.chariot.net.au