Who is Yayoi Kusama?

Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese artist and writer, famous for her thematic interest in psychedelic colours, repetition, and pattern, mainly in the form of dots and nets. Leaving Japan in 1957, she moved to New York City where she produced a series of paintings influenced by the abstract expressionist movement. She came to public attention when she organized a series of happenings in which naked participants were painted with brightly colored polka dots.

Kusama's work is based in conceptual art and shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, pop art, and abstract expressionism, infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content. She receives several major art achievement awards and was named one of the Top 10 Living Artists of 2015. Kusama is now acknowledged as one of the most important living artists to come out of Japan, and an important voice of the avant-garde.

This exhibition is Yayoi Kusama’s first major survey of her work held in South East Asia, featuring over 120 works across media, beginning with her paintings from 1950s.

Chamah is the fifth highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, well-known for being one of the toughest hike in Malaysia. Despite its fame for being a challenging mountain, it still attracts hikers from all over the country, many with the purpose of completing all G7s. In fact, some hikers even ranked it the toughest G7.  

Note:G7 refers to the seven highest mountains in Peninsular Malaysia, in the following order: G1 Tahan (read: link), G2 Korbu, G3 Yong Belar (read: link), G4 Gayong, G5 Chamah, G6 Yong Yap and G7 Ulu Sepat. It’s an achievement among Malaysian hikers to complete G7. 

Located in the Titiwangsa Range, Chamah sits at the elevation of 2,171m above sea level, and is accessible from Kuala Betis, Kelantan. There are typically two trails that can be done, one being Trans CUS (Chamah – Ulu Sepat) while the other being only Chamah. Fearing the difficulty of Trans CUS, I gladly joined Chin’s Chamah event when he opened this trip few months ago.

“Chamah” sounds like “Cham ah” in Cantonese which means “wretched”, a perfect play of words since rumour has it that the hike is no joke. So… is the hike really that wretched? Let’s find out, shall we?

Whoever said so certainly hadn’t been to CBL. CBL, short for Chemerong-Berembun-Langsir is a popular hiking destination in Dungun, Terengganu. Entering through Hutan Lipur Chemerong, this trail brings us to the peak of Gunung Berembun, Langsir Waterfall and Chemerong Waterfall. Unlike other hike that I’ve done previously, the selling point of this place is not the view at the summit, it’s certainly not the challenging trek, it’s not the height of the mountain, but the beautiful crystal-clear water of the waterfalls, and Bangan river. Duped the Jiuzhaigou of Malaysia, CBL is no doubt one of the most beautiful hiking destination in Malaysia. I haven’t been to many hikes to conclude this but it certainly tops my list. 

36 hikers for this CBL trip

Organised by Night Ranger, this hike was planned last year October, after our return from Gunung Tahan (read about it here). Meant to accommodate 24 hikers, the event was almost fully registered in a couple of hours. I wasn’t so interested initially but after some persuading by the Tahan hikers, I finally sign up for a spot before it was full. Like me, MJ had no idea what this place is all about and decided not to join. However, the event was then extended to 36 people and when some people bailed out due to scheduling conflict, MJ scored a place after being persuaded to join in the fun. 

If you have not heard of Gunung Benum, I’m sure you have heard of Lata Berembun, the famous waterfall located in Sg. Ruan, Raub. Every year around durian season, KL-ites will visit this waterfall, and some companies and schools even conduct their teambuilding here, due to its proximity from KL/Selangor. After all, it’s less than 2hours drive from Gombak toll. Despite being a Raubian myself, I had yet to visit this waterfall, simply because no one among my friends had ever planned such a trip, and the fact that I couldn’t swim deter me from ever feeling excited about waterfall. But hiking a mountain? Well, that is an entirely different story.