With almost 350 arts activities and more than 17,000 festival goers, we had the best weekend of the year during the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival finale weekend! Held at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) on 18 & 19 August 2018, #YSDAF2018 was a Malaysian community project that brought local artistes together. This year, #YSDAF was all about “You, Me + The Arts”. We featured performances and activities that catered to all walks of life, and also explored the arts and its impact in various communities in Malaysia. From headliners such as Bittersweet, Kugiran Masdo, Adam! The Musical, and Life Sdn. Bhd., to activities and workshops spanning dance, theatre, book readings, puppet shows, woodwork, and painting, there was something fun for everyone!
We also hosted our first multi-sensory museum, as well as various exhibitions and installations highlighting the plight of marginalised communities in Malaysia. Indoors, we featured Barriers by Peter Tan, Wuan and Victor Chin, a photography exhibition on the disabled and their lack of accessibility in the built environment.
The Tuyang Initiative, an organisation aimed at promoting Dayak cultural heritage, showcased the art of playing the Sape’, beading, weaving, and the traditional oral art forms Parap and Takna’.
Under the sun, we also featured installations made by students from the Inti Center of Art and Design (ICAD). These included a series of multi-sensory structures aimed at tackling the various challenges faced by marginalised communities, such as homelessness. These were all alongside our Handyzone, where festival-goers were able to participate in fun arts-and-craft activities such as postcard making, woodworking, batik painting, and even taking a trip down memory lane while experiencing the joy of playing with childhood toys. Picture this: with klpac in the backdrop, throngs of people are banging and clanking harmoniously with the crowd favourite, Drum Simfoni. Kids are running around the grass while they blow bubbles under the sun. Wandering festival goers are enjoying the company of their friends and family while getting their hands dirty on a painting, a postcard, or at a woodwork workshop.
All of that could not have happened without everybody who made #YSDAF2018 an unforgettable festival. To each and every person who came for the event, we want to say a huge THANK YOU. It is because of your support that the arts in Malaysia will continue to flourish and inspire the community. Until next time, relive the best moments of the festival with us in our Facebook album. We hope to see you again!