History and Beyond - Malaysian Photography From 1900 To The Present Day
HISTORY AND BEYOND: Malaysian Photography From 1900 To The Present Day' – a groundbreaking exhibition exploring the 100-year history of Malaysian photography in the 20th century – will open in Gallery 3A of the National Art Gallery of Malaysia on 24 July 2004. On view through 19 September 2004, this large-scale survey guest-curated by Alex Moh and Li-En Chong features nearly 200 historic and recent photographs. Taken from personal collections as well as the collections of the National Archive, National Art Gallery of Malaysia, Galeri Petronas and Universiti Sains Malaysia, these exhibits will provide an intimate and candid account of our nation's past and progress.
Photography is a medium that cannot be easily categorised, for it can be alternately documentary or artistic, scientific or persuasive, theoretical or theatrical. Yet this elusively chameleon art form is more popularly endowed with a sense of the objective than a painting or a print. We are exposed to the power of these supposedly empirical images in our daily lives. From pictures of war-destitute children to weight loss advocates, the maxim of 'the camera never lies' is put forth to us.
Whilst in the past, it was once a novelty; today it is the norm for family outings and daily events to be accompanied by the omnipresent camera. Nonetheless, as a result of its cut-and-dried mechanical processing and production proliferation, photography is not often recognised as fine art. Increasingly, however, there is growing recognition of photography's artistic merits. Nowadays there are a great number of art exhibitions and competitions such as the ASEAN Art Awards wherein photography is accepted alongside submissions of the more traditional charcoal, watercolour and oil paint.
The intention of this exhibition is to reveal the real emotions of human experiences that have taken place in Malaysian history. By offering up interaction through the universal language of this highly popular and common art form, it is hoped that the visitor will be able to relate to the past beyond the confines of textbook contexts. In order to give an accurate account of the history of Malaysian photography, the curators have touched on the geographical, social, economic and cultural features of the region and its surroundings. However, the intention here is not to provide a chronicle but to trace key historical events that have been of influence in the developments of photography. Indeed, photographs are visual dialogues that communicate our past and remind us of our heritage.
A comprehensive, 90-page publication accompanying 'HISTORY AND BEYOND' brings new scholarship to the field of Malaysian photography, with essays offering a detailed exposition and areas of expertise by Alex Moh and Li En Chong. Published by the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, the catalogue features numerous rare photographs including never-before-seen works documenting the contemporary context of the century's most significant Malaysian moments. This RM30.00 catalogue is available for purchase at the Information Counter, Level 1, National Art gallery of Malaysia.
In conjunction with the exhibition 'HISTORY AND BEYOND' and World Photography Day 819, a 2-day photography talk and slide show entitled "OPEN YOUR EYES" jointly organised by the National Art Gallery, Photo Creator, Advanced Images Magazine and Straight Takes will be held in the Auditorium of the National Art Gallery on 28 & 29 August 2004. For details please call 03.40254990.