YSDAF 2026 Satellite

The upcoming YSDAF 2026 Satellite is a bite-sized offshoot from the biennial Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) brought to you by Yayasan Sime Darby and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac).

Held for one-day only on 5 April at klpac, the satellite will feature two segments. Admission is free but pre-registration is required.

Handyzone (11.00am – 4.00pm)
Firstly, you can pick up a new skill or learn to make your own masterpiece at our Handyzone featuring eight booths with hands-on activities. From jewellery making to latte art, wau crafting to mosaic art, we have something for kids to adults.

Workshops have limited capacity and pre-registration is required. Those who did not snag a spot, can try the walk-in queue on the day or just drop by for other all-day activities that do not require pre-registration. You can bring home your very own YSDAF custom souvenir by bringing your own cotton T-shirt or tote bag to screen print our exclusive YSDAF design.

Synesthetic Symphony of Sound & Sight (2 shows: 11.00am and 2.00pm)
YSDAF brings back one of its Festival Highlights and the winner of YSDAF 2025 Pitch Start grant.

This inclusive arts initiative which is a collaboration between Malaysian Association for the Blind, UPSI and Persatuan Hearts Symphony explores synesthesia in the visually impaired and the connection between art, tactile and sound sensations.

What is synesthesia? It is a phenomenon where a person experiences more than one unrelated sense at the same time such as tasting words or coloured hearing. For example, one may hear sounds, music or voices that could evoke colours or shapes.

In Synesthetic Symphony of Sound & Sight, nine artists who are blind or have low vision will create abstract art live using tactile paint while musicians and singers from marginalised communities perform a moving song, Colours of My Heart, in the background.

During this 30-minute journey, audiences can wander up close to witness how their creations unfold or create their own art on the side.

Apart from the performance, the facilitators will share a bit about the tactile paint and process that was created for this project. There will also be a forum where the members of the public can ask questions.

The performance will focus on blindness as a means of enhanced sensory perception. It explores how the absence of sight can lead to unique artistic expressions. The combination of blind art and music evokes a powerful emotional interpretation response.

Presented by Yayasan Sime Darby and klpac, YSDAF 2026 Satellite is supported by Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, Sime Darby Property Berhad, and for the first time, the MADANI Government under Belanjawan 2025.

IMPORTANT:
i) Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Pass holders must arrive at least 15 minutes before show time otherwise your slot may be released to those on the waiting list.

(ii) Free-standing / floor seating for Synesthetic Symphony of Sound & Sight – limited chair seats available for those who require it.