Remember the stunning historical footage seen in KLPac's "Tunku the Musical"? And the film projections (I do it injustice by merely terming it as such) in  Pentas Projects's  "The Lost and The Ecliptic: 10 memorandums of a devastated and crippled amnesiac?"

Au Sow Yee was the genius behind them both, and many other film installation projects you might have seen.

Now attempting to explore the oft-forgotten qualities of cinema, this experimental artist has taken old film stills and reworked them on 16mm film strips - to "reveal the exquisite beauty of decay" in her latest effort,  "The 4th Dimension."

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Tell us about yourself.

I am a ‘going-on-30-typical-city-gal,’ who doesn’t actually look like one, and I was once described as “very zen” whatever that means. I was born and grew up in KL, left at 19 and came back again two years ago.

What was it that first sparked your interest in film and all its wonders?

The projection booth of cinemas and the cinema itself, especially when the films featured were cheesy Hong Kong vampire movies. I always thought a magician was in the booth, casting a stroke of light and making everything come to life.

How did you first get involved in the local arts scene?

I can’t even remember now... I bumped into someone who happened to know someone else and so on. That’s how I get involved.

You’ve been involved in quite a few arty projects this year alone,  yes? Tell us a bit about what you did. Which of these are you proudest of?

This has been a very busy year for me, I did quite a lot of work for theatre, basically making videos and sometimes having the right to make the decision on how these videos were presented.

My proudest work, I would have to say, was for “Water Closet”. I owe (Loh) Kok Man for that.

You are the 2007 artist in residence of Taipei Artist Village, Taiwan, yes? What have you been up to there?

Ha, I haven’t been there yet. But will be next week. So let’s see what will happen.

Do you have a day job?

Yes, I lead a double life. I teach, like many people do, in a private college in a small town close to KL.
 
Tell us more about “The 4th Dimension – Mapping the Imaginary Cinema.” This project is the result of your grant from last year’s The Krishen Jit-ASTRO Fund, yes?  Tell us all about it.

It’s a film installation performance, to keep it simple.

Well, come to the abandoned cinema and see what makes its way into the lime light. Probably someone familiar who lives only in film.

What was the inspiration behind this project? How long have you been working on it?

This project is part of my ongoing series which I call “performative cinema.” In a way, it’s a “film” that lives only once -- it will not be the same the next time you see it.

I started this series when I was away, some time around 2003. I stopped working on it in 2006 and started again in 2007. It would probably still be freezing in the fridge if not for the Krishen Jit-ASTRO Fund.

Ever worry that no one will understand your work? Would it bother you if people don’t?

This question will make me think for quite a while… might blame you if it makes my brain hyperactive and causes me insomnia tonight. Ha.

What’s your favourite film?

Ingmar Bergman's “Persona” never fades for me.  And some works by experimental filmmakers like Ken Jacobs, Ernie Gehr, Diane Kitchen and many more. I am very greedy, I know.

What are you working on next?

On the contrary, I’m actually thinking about a good, long, rest. 

Who or what inspires you?

My imaginary best cup of coffee.

What’s irony to you?

The lights which my next door neighbour keeps switched on, 24 hours a day. Is there a person who never sleeps staying in that house?

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"The 4th Dimension" is part of "Solo Session II" which also features Goh Lee Kwang's "Good Vibrations," which triples as an album launch, presentation of video installations and retrospective concert by the artist. Catch the duo in action at The Annexe Gallery, The Annexe, Central Market from Thu 29 Nov until Sun 2 Dec 2007, at 8.30pm nightly. Entry is by a minimum donation of RM15 and RM10 (students).