French pantun at fest

KUALA LUMPUR: An artwork by a descendant of famous 19th century French poet Victor Hugo will be on display at an outdoor art festival here in October.
The "Pantun Forest" by Marie Hugo, also a French poet, which depicts lighted pillars as "trees" with pantun messages on the "trunks", is now on display in France.
Victor is known for popularising Malay poems in Europe and Marie's artwork will allow visitors to discover poems written in Malay, French, English, Jawi and in ancient Arab script.
The art piece will be exhibited at "The Art in the Park" (AITP) event to be held at the Perdana Botanical Park.
"By inviting Marie, we are hoping to attract more tourists to come and participate in this event," Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib told a press conference today to announce the staging of the festival from Oct 16 to 30.
The festival is being held by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and is also part of its efforts to make Kuala Lumpur a prominent art destination by internationally promoting the botanical park as a popular location for art activities.
Ahmad Phesal said the botanical park has all the elements to become an "art village" in the country.
He said the festival's aim is to nurture Kuala Lumpur's growing creative community and creative economy while enhancing cultural tourism.
The main features of AITP will be the outdoor display of sculptures and art installations made of discarded objects like old motorcycle parts and tea pots. There will also be a series of talks and workshops, and art activities.