KL Design Week 2009

(Taken from The Star Online 2 April 2009)
20 artists and designers sell their works from their own creative canopies
By CHRISTINA LOW

THEY looked like nomads as they pitched their tents – albeit on a concrete floor – but for the 20-odd artists and designers, it was all about being different. The group, comprising artists and designers of different ages and from different backgrounds, and practising various genres, are participants of the Secret Tent project, and “home” is hidden behind the Modesto’s restaurant at CapSquare Kuala Lumpur.

Although it might be a little more difficult to introduce and sell their art from their tents, many of the participants agreed that the concept made them special. “Our visitors are always curious about what each tent has to offer, but the only way they will know is to find out for themselves,” said Urban Creatures creative director Lim Chun Woei, who personally designs and the figurines, toys and collectibles he sells.

Personal space: The Secret Tent creative space gives the artists a space to call their own. Lim, who came from Penang to participate in the week-long event that is being held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Design Week (KLDW) 2009, felt that by using this concept rather than the conventional canopies, the organiser had given each designer their personal space.

Duraton Hannani Amir, 27, who paints as well as designs T-shirts and bags, said she enjoyed operating her stall, The Fashion Forest, even though it could be uncomfortable sitting in a tent. The interior design graduate said the space, however, made each designer and artist special in their own ways.

“Our visitors here get to understand us better; they know we are all independent artists hoping to make a living out of selling our work,” said Duraton, who has made sure that all her products are affordable to the public.

Meanwhile, final year art students of Dasein Academy of Art, who took a spot they call Fresh Mute, are showcasing 27 individually designed bags with messages they wish to convey.

One Secret Tent that is colourfully painted is run by a Japanese couple who are in the country for a holiday.
Discovery: Visitors checking out what each tent has to offer. Delectable’s tent, shown here, sells designer cookies and cupcakes, and sports a garden-like setting.

Sadaoka Sekiguchi, 30, and his wife Shunsuke Keiko, 20, took two days to paint their “home”, which they named Lucky 14, to depict their travels around the world over the past two years.
“We both enjoy travelling and we don’t have a specific date to fly in or out of a country, which is why I decided to paint my tent to depict the way we both had been living,” Sekiguchi said. The couple are selling bracelets, necklaces and home-made cookies at their space to fund their travels.

Children who are into painting should visit the Si Kebaya tent, which is run by a group of cheerful ladies.

Located at the entrance of the creative space are art pieces by Bennylita Nasuty Ramlee, Sabariah Hitam, Jaja Yusof and Arbaayah Zain.

They also hope to give children, as well as other visitors, an experience in painting. The four also do face painting and give a sneak peek into pottery art at their tent. Besides art, the tent by Delectable sells designer cupcakes and biscuits in a garden-like setting, complete with letter-box and pebbles around the tent.

The Secret Tent creative space is open from 10am to 10pm daily until April 5.

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Thanks Christina,
so happy that you have discovered me and other artist friends.

Another awesome discovery was from Douglas Goh.
Many Thanks!

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"Really interesting stuff by Bennylita, illustrating all those weird looking owls and all.
I thought her work was one of the more original pieces in the whole exhibition without
trying too hard. Well as the sign says, you can virtually find her at her blog bennylitanasuty.wordpress.com. Keep up the good stuff." - Douglas Goh

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So far, my enjoyment is almost zero when it comes to the
end of the KL DESIGN Week 2009. I was okay with the crowd,
happy to meet new friend and also met my old friend from
corporate world before. And I manage to trade my one of a
kind art with one of a kind artist from Malaysia. Anyway, I am
looking forward for better in the future.

The most valuable that I learn from my first and second
showcase was to have guts to show and tell my
artworks bubbly and happily ever after.

Check my photo album here.

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