Sharon Chin

Collaborative performance for the closing ceremony of Temu Pasor at Pasar Besar Ipoh. In collaboration with Zedeck Siew, and Erin Malikhain, Ali Rafiq Ibrahim and Cik Mus of Kinta Zine Club.

Temu Pasor was a self-funded, self-organized art festival held at the iconic Pasar Besar Ipoh (Ipoh wet market) from 25 – 27 July 2025. Initiated by Kinta Zine Club, the festival consisted of the Ipoh International Zine Fair, the roving spoken word event Tiba-tiba Puisi, and the site-specific immersive theater experience Zombi Serang Pasor by Cech Andrea.

This performance was based on 2017’s “Ria (Joy)“, performed on the streets during a May Day rally in Kuala Lumpur. In Bahasa Malaysia, ‘rintisan’ refers to small, pioneering trails in the forest. “Rintisan Ria (Joy II)” is an ode to the independent spirit that endures; creating new pathways and possibilities amidst unpromising conditions. The performance was held in front of Kinta Zine Club’s space at the market. It consists of three parts:

Part One – Preparation

Zedeck and I begin by sweeping the floor. We invite Erin, Ali and Mus to sit on colourful sarongs we have laid down, and place flowers all around them. While Zedeck hands out flowers to the audience, I ask Erin, Ali and Mus to wash their hands, and then to massage them with fragrant oil. Next, they hold their palms out towards the audience, who are invited to smell the calming fragrance.

Part Two – Release

Zedeck and I walk slowly around our three seated friends, cradling bunches of flowers. As energy and anticipation builds up, we pluck off the flowers and fling them as hard as we can to the floor, until they explode into pieces around Erin, Ali and Mus. We invite the audience to do the same with the flowers they are holding.

Part Three – Pathway

I collect the broken flowers in a container. I ask Zedeck to stand facing where Erin, Ali and Mus are seated, and blindfold his eyes. With the broken flowers, I make a path on the ground behind Zedeck’s feet. At the same time, I guide his feet so that he is walking backwards on the flowers. Soon, Erin, Ali and Mus get up to join Zedeck on the path of flowers. When the container is empty, I ask the audience to help fill it with more flowers from the ground. Slowly, the five of us progress down the corridor, walking backwards and facing the audience. At last, we reach the end of the corridor; just at that moment, the last of the flowers is used up.

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Thanks to Ruang Kaeokamechun, Beut, Mariah Reodica, Kia and Dinda for images and video.