‘Boom Boom Bang’: Explore ’90s KL Counterculture at This ILHAM Gallery Exhibit

By Danial Martinus • 21 Oct 2024 in Events

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(source: ILHAM Gallery, Provided to JUICE)

ILHAM Gallery’s new exhibition, Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody in 1990s KL, is set to bring a fresh, exciting look at Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant 1990s culture.

Running from 13 October 2024 to 9 March 2025, this show dives deep into the city’s art scene during a decade of intense political and cultural transformation.

Curated by ILHAM Gallery Director, Rahel Joseph, as well as Simon Soon, Azzad Diah, and Ridhwan Saidi, the exhibition takes visitors back to the explosive energy of KL when it was riding high on the Asian economic boom. During this time, the arts were thriving with new forms of expression, bold experimentation, and a playful counterculture that pushed boundaries.

Humour and parody in a transforming society

(source: Ismail Zain, *Al Kesah*, 1998, Computer print, 28 x 20 cm, Collection of Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Provided to JUICE)

The exhibition takes inspiration from the 1998 documentary Boom Boom Bang by Zakiah Omar and Hanno Baethe, exploring how artists in that era used humour and parody to critique the fast-changing society around them.

The playful tone that defined much of ’90s KL is at the heart of this exhibit, showing how artists tackled political and cultural shifts through satire, collaboration, and a DIY spirit.

(source: *Boom Boom Bang: Play and Parody in 1990s KL*, ILHAM Gallery. Carburetor Dung & The Ricecooker Archives. Photo by Kenta Cha i, Provided to JUICE)

Comprising a variety of interdisciplinary works, the exhibition showcases everything from visual art to performance, all from artists who defined that decade. Expect to see pieces from legendary Malaysian artists like Ahmad Fuad Osman, Azizan Paiman, and Yee I-Lann, alongside archival treasures such as photographs, videos, posters, and more.

(source: Wong Hoy Cheong, *Lalang*, 1994, Performance and Installation, Provided to JUICE)

Not just a retrospective, Boom Boom Bang is an exploration of how art and culture evolved in a fast-moving city.

After all, KL in the ’90s was a time of optimism and rapid development. But beneath the city’s glitzy surface, artists were creating their own narratives, often challenging mainstream ideals. The exhibition focuses on how parody became a powerful tool for these artists to push back against authority and traditional structures, while “play” was a way for them to experiment across different artistic forms.

(source: Yee I-Lann, *“Apathy” series – Gun*, 1997, U.We coated paper print (inkjet on glossy paper, reproduction), 122 x 122 cm (109 x 109 cm, reproduction), Artists’ collection, Provided to JUICE)

Whether you lived through the ‘90s or are just curious to see how KL came of age artistically, Boom Boom Bang offers a thrilling dive into a key moment in the city’s cultural history.

Explore ’90s KL now

Boom Boom Bang: Play & Parody in 1990s KL is a must-see for art lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding how Kuala Lumpur became the dynamic, creative city it is today.

Dates:
13 October 2024 to 9 March 2025.

Venue:
ILHAM Gallery, Level 5, Menara ILHAM, Kuala Lumpur.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.

Click here for more information.

For more events, head to JUICE Malaysia.