First Published on Juice.my
Almost everyone who have heard of Minut Init have their own perspective and often after they visit the place, they have another completely different idea of what it is. But regardless of how well you think you know the place. Whether you’ve been there a few times or a regular patron for the last few years. There is no one who knows Minut Init better than I do.
Well, except for the founders Dali and James, natürlich.
And of course; Mils Gan – who is currently engaged to Minut Init on Facebook and was there at the inception of the idea that would change the world.
A New Hope
Back in early 2011, Uptown Damansara was still dodgy looking and was not ‘arsty’ at all (arguably still not). It wasn’t a Black Mirror reality as it is today, smart phones was still a luxury and social media wasn’t as ingrained in our daily life. The idea of a privately own and artists-run creative space were fleeting dreams of the youngsters with only a few secret hideouts available.
I remembered it like it was yesterday. You know how Harry had the Owls from a magical school or how Frodo inherited the burden of a magic ring? Well I had a similar moment back in early 2011 with a phone call from Dali. A single call that was to be the catalyst of my life and alters the direction of my fate. If I had not bothered to answer or even refused his offer, Minut Init and I would have been a completely different entity today. It was a simple call, a call for help. He required my service and in return I’ll have the opportunity to learn from his wisdom.
He guided me up the three flights of pitch black stairs which got me worried that I might get raped or murdered. Nah it’s Dali. He is too cool for such a thing. Or maybe that was his disguise? Oh shit everything looks so dark in here. Maybe it’s not as bad as it would be. Pull yourself together dude, you got a Mohawk. You’re a punk head. You will fight anyone who……..
HOLY SHEIIT! THIS PLACE IS SOooooo DUCKING COOL! Look at that painting! I never thought any Malaysian artist draw like this. Shit, this is a gallery? I haven’t seen anything like this before. This here is the real art. This is the voice of my generation. I found Nirvana!
That was my first reaction when I entered Minut Init. My life will never ever be the same again after that day. Here is a place that speaks the truth. No more can I enjoy the brain dead media that being shoved down my young generation’s throat with that Bieber bullshits after knowing that these revolutionary artworks are available for me. Everything on display in the gallery was a feast for my eyes, my heart, my soul and my mind. From the abstract paintings to the gruesome metallic sculptures to the tiny TV that illuminates in the messy room. Everything was beautiful. It was chaotic but it was a Beautiful Chaos. The true embodiment of the rebellious youth. And the air in the studio was so fresh, potent and sweet that ease my mind to dance about with the immense beauty surrounding me. For almost an hour or so, I was in constant motion to ensure that every tiny details of the gallery are fully discovered by my wandering eyes.
That was the day I became Dali’s personal assistant, The first Robin to Batman. When he asked me the question that I could never refuse, – he didn’t even need to finish the sentence. I was already saying ‘YES’ in every language on this planet. I mean tried I playing it cool but it was obvious. That was day I became an apprentice for The Black Palate. That was the day I became a Padawan of Minut Init. Every day since then was a journey. Every moment and every single minute with him was filled with words of inspirations and dreams. He told me everything that he had envisioned for Minut Init. He told me exactly what he expects from me. For awhile, I had a real older brother who I respect and look up to.
Han Solo had his Millennium Falcon, Jack Sparrow had his Black Pearl, – Dali has Minut Init.
So when he unexpectedly decided to head out to Melbourne to pursuit his Master in Fine Arts for a few years, – I was honestly pretty afraid of being left alone with James Ly. The Chinese Viking. The Mongolian Thor. He is a legend in his own right. His management is one of the better and simpler days. James is the guru who sharpen my mentality and intellectual durability that shall withstand any obstacles that come with opportunity. Shout out to the previous patrons (Mary-am, Hazi-Man, Yo-Han) and the rest of The Jedi Council of Minut Init too – especially Big Man, KT.
I got free education from these boys in return for my service as the humble ‘voluntary slave’ of Minut Init.
The Journey to The West
James was Windu.
Dali was Kenobi.
I was Skywalker.
From a Christmas party at Miss Malaysia’s house to stenciling the legendary ‘signage’ on the pink doorways, to joining a caravan of hippies, to opening a small booth for “Art for Grabs” and a trial shop at Publika, to countless studio visits and art projects to Dali’s return to renovating and revamping the venue with a neon touch and the opening of our second floor, to making that place my home and having travelling creatives from all around the world as my roommates, to finding and adopting a stray white rabbit from the streets, to my Ahsoka (intern) blasting Kanye West on the sound system every morning to wake my ass up, to the sermons of the African Christian Church below us that is loud enough to chase away the devils in me, to visiting nature parks with the travellers, to having a Fast & Furious kinda family of nut jobs, to sparring practices with our own Black Panther in the evening, to a last minute (init) art installation in a bank vault, to creative projects at carnivals all around Malaysia, to doing a Drink & Draw event next to original Andy Warhol’s Polaroid collections…
And of course the countless exhibitions exploring all themes from Time & Space to Gender Identity, music gigs in every genre, experimental audio looping festival, open mics, poetry readings, live drawings, art classes and continuous parties. All of it has been a crazy learning experience.
Founded with the intention of diversifying the artistic climate of Malaysia by becoming a melting pot of creative expression without censorship or discrimination. Minut Init has become a pocket universe where the possibilities are endless and unpredictability a basis of everyday life. We were dedicated to redefining perceptions towards contemporary art and encouraging discussion of aesthetic and politics. And in my view, we were successful.
Minut Init (2011 - till late 2015)
But I am biased. I am certain there is plenty of criticism and negative perception on Minut Init. Trust me, I’ve heard a few of it and yeah, guilty to a few myself but I have every right to criticize my own place. We have made a lot of friends and allies in the last 7 years but also enemies. Starting from the bottom, coming straight from the underground and reaching to the top has all these eyez on me to see how a good kid in a mad city be rolling in the streets at six in the morning with the boyz-in-da-hood but only god can judge me now, – so don’t call it a comeback cause I’ve been here for years and my mama said to knock you out. Legend has it that if you got beef with us and try to sabotage us then be prepared to hear the message and jump around cause X gon give it to ya with no Vaseline and there’s ain’t nothing to it (cause gangsta rap made me do it).
So then, what happened? Why was something so unique and the ultimate emblem of the underground scene in Malaysia died off? Did someone really put a hit on us?
There and back again…
It’s not easy to pinpoint the decline of Minut Init since we’ve always been struggling and the underdog in the industry. I can’t point out a single event or a specific person for the venue shutting down. There are a few factors that contributed to the closing of the establishment. Maybe it’s the fact that we started off with a very low budget due to being an independent space, it would have been best to have extra cash to sustain us for the slow weeks. Maybe it’s the fact that James Ly is now married with a son to care for and Dali has other business ventures to worry about and I was away in Berlin to chase my love and passion for the Arts. (Nah, I’m proud of Rivers’ tenure). Maybe it was the fact that we were too noisy and too outspoken in a time when it was best to keep quiet. Maybe we’re too transparent about our dirty deeds and should have been more paranoid about the authorities. Maybe it’s our reputation finally getting the best of us. Maybe we’ve pissed off too many people and was too rebellious. Maybe because no one really knows what Minut Init is really all about. Everyone has a different brand in their mind. It’s the reason why big event companies have doubts when giving us a project. It’s the reason why those who are in the Arts scene would say that we’re not professional enough in curation or should focus more on making artworks. It’s the reason why those in the Music scene would say that we’re not a proper place for gigs since we’re always short of equipment. It’s the reason those in the party scene would say that we would need better dancefloor. But Minut Init is not just a party place, or a music venue, or just another art gallery. We’re an experiment. We’re a platform of ideas. We are an Art Social. We were Andy Warhol’s The Factory re-imagined.
The Lord Commander of Minut Init.
It was all up to me. I who was once a ‘slave’ now a ‘slave leader’ had to manage the place, execute the ideas to my best abilities and lead the team of travelers in order to generate revenues to eat, maintain and sustain the place – and if possible upgrade the facilities. Sometimes the events do feel like a half-ass effort but I ain’t got no higher education or rich parents. I know nothing. This ain’t my justification, it’s my G.O.M.D.
Minut Init (2016 - 2017)
I’ve known Rivers. It was such a relief when James Rivers decided to take over my role. (Arguably his time was the wildest but he did a great job) I was able to focus on the things I needed to do for Berlin. Even if I didn’t complete everything I wanted to do there but at least I survived. And when I returned, Acap was initially supposed to run the place with me. It was supposed to be a team effort. In fact there was already a rough team but I wasn’t ready to take back my position. How can I command a team against an oncoming swarm when I was just resurrected from the dead after having an arrow through my heart then return to take a few knives to the stomach. My focus was my own personal castle. The bastard that was promised. I had to leave. I am needed elsewhere and I wanted to evolve.
This Robin wanted to fly and be Nightwing.
The Wall did crumble down after Jon Snow left Castle Black.
I believe there could be a Minut Init without me being there. It used to be able to.
I believe it could have survived without me. And it did, for awhile.
But then this dumb-ass (me) had to get surrounded by an army of animated corpses which resulted in the White Walkers capturing one of our dragons and destroying the very wall I help protected. (If you know the truth, then this analogy is not too far off).I take full blame and responsibilities for letting Minut Init down. I’ve been found guilty. I am guilty of having hope. I am guilty of believing in fairy tales instead of facing reality. I am guilty of thinking the world can be changed with an idea and a vision. I am guilty of having faith in the Arts. I am guilty of being the blank-canvas-state-of-mind in order to allow a more refined piece of the Time. I am guilty of idolizing the-happily-ever after. I am guilty of flirting with Justice. I am guilty of getting caught in bed with Freedom. I am guilty of praying for the love-can-conquer-all result. I am guilty of chasing after Truth. I am guilty of preaching madness. I am guilty of promising alternate universes. I am guilty of fulfilling false prophecies. I am guilty in believing that a group of rebellion could destroy the empire without the need of The Chosen One. There is no chosen one. I have never been Neo and this is not the Matrix. I am Edward Norton and Minut init is Tyler Durden. If I am a Skywalker – I am not too sure if I am Luke or Anakin. Either way, let the past die (kill it if you must) and let me fade away into the setting suns.The revolution doesn’t start with a single person. It’s starts with everyone. Go on then, help the new rebel leader, Acap in the final days of Minut Init.
I AM MINUT INIT | WE ARE MINUT INIT
The North Remembers.
Remember that Minut Init is not a place. It is not a venue. It is not just a home. It was a Time Machine. It is Space. It’s Social. It is an Ideology. It’s a Philosophy. It’s a Cult. It’s a Movement. It’s Art.
Minut Init Art Social/Space/Galleria – the headquarter, the Castle Black, my TARDIS, the Rebel Base – is closing for now (kinda) but as long as you continue making Art, keep fighting for the truth and ensure that the voice of the youth is heard. Minut Init will live on. It will live on in all of us. I pass you the torch now. To every single one of you who love Minut Init. Keep true to the manifesto. Things will never be the same but keep your heads up and gaze into the stars.
One day, it shall return.
Be Art.
Be Minut Init.
(P.S : Check out FONO)
Zero Ducks Given 