BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Front Row  >  Boom Boom Bang: Play and Parody in 1990s KL

Boom Boom Bang: Play and Parody in 1990s KL

Rahel Joseph, Director, Ilham Gallery | Simon Soon, Art Curator

20-Dec-24 15:00

Boom Boom Bang: Play and Parody in 1990s KL

The 1990s in Kuala Lumpur were marked by rapid urbanisation, economic growth, and a wave of national pride. Beneath this optimism, however, a dynamic counterculture was brewing—a movement that embraced parody, play, and artistic experimentation to challenge mainstream narratives and authority. Boom Boom Bang: Play and Parody in 1990s KL, now on display at ILHAM Gallery, captures this transformative period through art, performance, and archival materials. We speak to co-curators Rahel Joseph and Simon Soon about the exhibition’s themes, highlights, and the enduring impact of KL’s 1990s art scene.

Image credit: Ilham Gallery

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  performing artsvisual artsmusicfilmHistory/Heritageculture

Tags:  counterculture artthe bigger picturefront rowvisual artsart exhibitionmusicfilmilham galleryreformasi





Play / Pause

Listen now : Earth Matters: (REPEAT) We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay...

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) We speak with Nick Ng, Founder and CEO of Hock Kee Kopitiam, about building a modern kopitiam brand rooted in heritage, community, and made-to-order tradition.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) We review Train Dreams and The Voice of Hind Rajab.

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) The VW Golf GTI Mk8.5 might sound like an incremental upgrade, but it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the brand. Tune in to hear why.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) In the first part of a series on technologies in ‘26, Rich and Matt take a look at consumer tech, imagine what IRL AI looks like, and advances in energy production.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay finally opening to the public, supported by Gerimis Art, sharing forest life, culture, and community-led ecotourism.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) We review the recent Malaysia Open 2026 and look back at our shuttlers' performances throughout 2025.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

Two women with art galleries in Switzerland, London, Nigeria and the US talk about discovering and promoting new artists, building relationships with art collectors and the importance of supporting women in the art world.