The Enchanting Orient Experiences @ Starhill Gallery

It’s a way to enrich our knowledge about ancient Chinese art and culture. We were at the inaugural of The Enchanting Orient @ Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur with support by Han Culture Centre Malaysia that fuses ancient Chinese art and culture with contemporary style set in modern day Malaysia.

The Enchanting Orient Experiences @ Starhill Gallery 

It was an experience featuring some of the most treasured Chinese art forms. One of The Enchanting Orient’s highlights is the unique and defined three dimensional and 18 meter long renowned depiction scenic masterpiece of mienhua (dough art figurines) that replicates the delicate beauty of Qing Ming Shang He Tu.

 Qing Ming Shang He Tu, dough art figurines

This is the Chinese signature handicraft that brings to life showcasing Bianliang’s lifestyle from a bygone era. It replicates a typical scene and setting along the river during Qing Ming Festival highlighting the prosperity during the Northern Song Dynasty. It reflects the Chinese civilization during Song Dynasty.

Qing Ming Festival

Look closely and carefully, each figurine is crafted with great attention to detail, emotions and expressions representing a synergy of creativity. It showed the exact what happened during that era the bustling street, markets, restaurants, temple, provision shops, the rivers and large river vessels. This special opportunity to view the folk art Qing Ming Shang He Tu should not be missed. You can view them at the Adorn Floor from 7th to 17th July, 2016 at 10am to 6pm.

Professor Cheah Thien Soong, the renowned local calligrapher

During The Enchanting Orient event, we also met Professor Cheah Thien Soong, the renowned local calligrapher in Chinese ink painting. Professor Cheah exhibited a “Lotus Pond” of his prized collection of precious porcelains and paintings. Well, lotus has long been associated as the sublime symbol of harmony and purity.

Myriad of paintings and porcelain objects of arts by Professor Cheah Thien Soong

Discover the innate beauty of this flora extraordinaire, and be mesmerized from a myriad of paintings and porcelain objects of arts. Mindful of the adage that a picture speaks a thousand words, feast your eyes on these collectibles from 7th to 24th July at Adorn Floor as you absorb the emotions of the master craftsman.

Chinese tea culture

Not only that, we also revitalized our senses with a sip of this elixir of youth and wellbeing an appreciation of Chinese tea culture. That day we tried the Yunnan oolong team. You can take your pick from an assortment of rich, aged tea hosted by Wong Chen Fui of Cha-No-Yu, one of Malaysia’s biggest collectors and connoisseur of teas from Yunnan. The tea tasting and appreciation will be happening from 7th to 9th July 2016 at Adorn Floor.

Afternoon hi-tea at Newens Tea House

We took a break and have our afternoon hi-tea at Newens Tea House. . This round we tried the Chinese Dim Sum and also the English Hi-Tea. Both are equally great, the Chinese Dim Sum is more savoury while the English Hi-Tea is perfect for your sweet-tooth cravings.

The 80's Starhill Gallery Theater screening Red Dust and Farewell My Concubine 

After that we adjourned to the private screening of 70’s epic movies set in the 80’s styled theater paying tribute to Ms Hsu Feng, an iconic multi-award winner and legendary former actress, for her many contributions to Asian cinematography.

The nostalgic experience with viewing of Red Dust 滚滚红尘 (in Mandarin) starring Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung & Chin Han; multiple winner at the Golden Horse Awards 1990 and Farewell My Concubine 霸王别姬 (in Mandarin) the only Chinese language film to win Cannes Palme d’Or, an epic movie starring legendary actors Leslie Cheung and Gong Li. The private screening of Red Dust and Farewell My Concubine for the public is on 9th July 2016 at Starhill Gallery Theater.

The Enchanting Orient

Date: 8^th to 10^th July 2016

Time: 10am to 6pm

Venue: Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Highlights:

1. Qing Ming Shang He Tu (miniature dough figurines) display: 7th to 17^th July 2016 at Adorn Floor.

2. Professor Cheah Thien Soong’s Lotus Series of precious porcelains and paintings from 7th to 24th July 2016 at Adorn Floor.

3. Chinese Tea Culture from 7th to 9th July 2016 at Adorn Floor.

4. Private Screening of Red Dust and Farewell My Concubine for the public on  9th July at Indulge Floor.

Overall it was an fruitful and interesting afternoon at The Enchanting Orient at Starhill Gallery. Getting to know more about Chinese history and culture through arts. If you are in KL you have to make your way to view the Qing Ming Shang He Tu exhibitions. The miniature dough figurines are so defined and real with human expression. Its was an eye-opener for me to view the Chinese civilization during Song Dynasty. 

For more information about The Enchanting Orient @ Starhill Gallery, please visit their website at www.starhillgallery.com or kindly call 603- 2782 3800.