Rainforest Fringe’s highlights
Sarawak: An Indigenous Journey (8.30pm, July 6, The Waterfront Hotel)
This pilot show features a visual tapestry of indigenous people with a contemporary twist. The music is specially written by At Adau and Alena Murang, with a soundscape from Kamal Sabran of Space Gambus Experiment.
First People Party (9pm, July 7, Borneo744)
True to its name, this party celebrates the original people of Sarawak aka the “orang asal”. It will feature performances by Electric Fields from Australia as well as Sarawak’s very own Pete Kallang, dubbed the vocal “Prince of Borneo”. Homegrown experimental band At Adau will also perform.
Forgotten Beauty (July 6-15, The Old Courthouse, Sarawak Tourism Complex)
Artist Tan Wei Kheng is from Marudi, Sarawak, and he travels regularly into the state’s dense interior to spend time with the tribes of the Orang Ulu. This exhibition – in collaboration with Richard Koh Fine Art - features intricate portraits of Sarawakian tribal elders.
Borneo People – A Photographic Journey (July 6-15, The Old Courthouse, Sarawak Tourism Complex)
Photographer Dennis Lau is a Sarawakian of mixed ChineseMelanau descent. His pictures demonstrate the deep respect he feels for Borneo’s indigenous people. In this exhibition, he revisits his homeland to capture his fellow Sabahans and Sarawkians in a range of black and white photographs.
Ancient Trees (July 6-15, Pullman Hotel)
An internationally celebrated exhibition by Beth Moon, showing stunning natural photography of the world’s oldest trees. Moon’s 14 year quest to photograph ancient trees has taken her across the world.
The Carpenter Street (July 6-15, Carpenter Street)
One of the oldest streets in Kuching, Carpenter Street is a tiny road packed with eateries and shops. Locals and tourists alike flock to its ancient charm. However, its future is uncertain and shop owners risk being priced out of their homes. This exhibition by Siew Thiam Lok aims to draw attention to this story, an open gallery where festivalgoers can walk along the street itself to view the photography.
The Forgotten Forest (July 6-15, The Old Courthouse, Sarawak Tourism Complex)
A striking tree root sculpture installation by Auzani Zeda and Endang Lestari with video mapping, drawing attention to the sustainability issues facing Borneo’s tropical rainforests. Twice a day, it comes alive through light effects, creating optical illusions and questioning our perception of space. Rainforest Fringe Festival in Kuching, Sarawak runs from
July 6-15. For more details, visit www.rainforestfringe.com.