Arts for Grabs Raya Special!

I wasn’t planning on heading to Arts for Grabs this time, but then I spent the morning at Zain HD‘s place, and he was gonna pop over so I thought I might well see what’s up for grabs (pun not intented). I had only ever been once with my friend Shai, and we bought a few things that day.

This time, I made sure I went to the ATM before.

In case you don’t know, Arts for Grab is a monthly art bazaar organised by Central Market and The Annexe Gallery. I think it’s great – this is not like your usual bazaars, most of the things sold here are original. Which means that artists, designers and other creative types actually made most of the things they sell – by themselves.

Like these tiles by @nadiahkimie and her friend (Rekha?) that Zain bought. This is the second bunch he is buying. He now has, I think almost 40 tiles, one for each grandchild he’s going to have. *grin* Or something like that.

Oh, and in his hand is a cupcake that I was forced to purchase by my friend Simon for RM5 (but later, I heard they were selling them for RM2! Ripped off!). It was nice going to a place like this because of friends I might bump into. Today itself, I bumped into @elyantie, Mark Teh, Fahmi Fadzil, Zedeck, Pang Khee Teik and Colin, my ex-colleague Vivienne’s brother!

I didn’t buy too many things (quite proud of the way I restrained myself) but I had already busted my credit cards buying books off Amazon.com yesterday and I was going to head to Kinokuniya after Arts for Grabs. I did get a self-made short stories book by azzief (pictured above on the right) as well as a “I’m a recovering Blog-aholic” keychain from Colin of Blat@nt (I’m really not!).

The one thing I bought that I really like is a bootleg CD. I won’t name the band, nor the person who bootlegged it lest I get him in trouble but I found the concept fascinating. This wasn’t your usual Petaling Street ciplak CD. What the artist did was designed a CD cover inspired by the band (and their designs). So essentially, he was selling a piece of art. The term “Original Bootleg” came to mind although I’m not sure that is the right term. Besides the colours and design, and I am not condoning the bootlegging, but what I liked most was the use of art to blur the lines between original and fake. Food for thought?

But that is also why I like Arts for Grabs, because of little gems like this you might find. Anyway, I thought I’d part with a little camwhore picture – since I really wasn’t expecting to see Ely there!

9.18pm Malaysian time (+8 GMT)

Tags: arts for grabs, blat@nt, central market, fahmi fadzil, mark teh, pang khee teik, the annexe gallery, zain hd