If You See Strange Things Popping Up In Jurong This November, Don’t Freak Out – It’s Just Art
Arts In Your Neighbourhood is back, and this time, it’s taking a journey to the West.
An initiative by the National Arts Council that happens twice a year, Arts In Your Neighbourhood has taken over neighbourhoods like Toa Payoh, Yishun, and Woodlands previously, bringing arts experiences to the doorsteps of Singaporeans living in these areas.
From 9 – 26 November, Arts In Your Neighbourhood is giving Jurong residents the same treatment with its interactive arts programmes that show a different side of Jurong.
Expect visual arts installations, performances, trails, stories, and more by established artists and arts groups happening across Jurong.
Programme Highlights
1. Urban Distortions by t.r.a.n.s.i.t.s.c.a.p.e
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Image Credit: Arts For All[/caption]
Sometimes, it feels like we’re living in a bubble, doesn’t it? Perhaps Urban Distortions is a commentary on that. Or not. Since it is art, it’s all up to your interpretation.
Urban Distortions is a cross‑disciplinary installation-performance that brings together dance, song, and territories. Watch the performers as they dance inside giant life-size plastic bubbles, with live music accompaniment!
Performances:
9 November 2017 (Thurs), 12:15pm, at Ocean Financial Centre (Covered Plaza)
10 November 2017 (Fri), 6pm, at Woodlands Civic Centre
11 November 2017 (Sat), 6pm, at Westgate (L1 Courtyard)
12 November 2017 (Sat), 6pm, at Bedok Town Square
2. Larger Than Life: The Unspoken Histories of Jurong Neighbourhood by Vertical Submarine
What was Jurong like before it came to be Singapore’s second CBD?
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Image Credit: @verticalsubmarine[/caption]
Larger Than Life is an outdoor art showcase that answers precisely this question.
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Image Credit: @verticalsubmarine[/caption]
Curated by art collective Vertical Submarine, Larger Than Life comprises of 5 works that reminisce the Jurong that came before, bringing back the fond memories and forgotten history of the neighbourhood.
Installations to look out for include artist Liyu’s “Drive”, a sculpture of a car that invites people to recall and share their memories of the old Jurong drive-in cinema.
Where: Canopy @ J Link & Adjacent Field
When: 9 Nov 2017 – 28 Jan 2018
3. #seeyoursg by Shophouse & Co
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Image Credit: Arts For All[/caption]
#seeyoursg is no ordinary trail. In this trail, participants will literally see Jurong through new lenses.
A device designed by artist Samantha Tio, the device lets you view and record your experience, allowing you create your own narrative of the neighbourhood which you can later add to the Jurong story as part of the exhibition.
Not only will you unravel the myths and legends of Jurong through this discovery trail, you’ll also get to experience how reality and perception are interwoven at each stop of the trail.
*Take note that the recommended age for this trail is 12 years and above.
Walking Trail
Where: Jurong Regional Library
When: 25 Nov 2017, 10am – 11am; 4pm – 5pm (The 1-hour trail will start every 15 minutes)
Exhibition
Where: Jurong Regional Library
When: 9 – 30 Nov 2017, 10am – 9pm
4. .txt by Pooja Nansi & Daryl Qilin Yam
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Image Credit: Arts For All[/caption]
Another visual arts installations springing up in Jurong is .txt, which comprises two text-based works inspired by none other than Jurong and its surrounds. Conceived and devised by writers Pooja Nansi and Daryl Qilin Yam, these works draw from existing texts, interviews and original writings.
The works explore the relationship between language and its specific localities, highlighting the little things that make Jurong unique.
Where: Westgate (L1 Fashion High Street) and Canopy @ J Link
When: 9 – 26 Nov 2017, 10am – 10pm
5. The Story-teller by Slacsatu
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Image Credit: Arts For All[/caption]
As part of Arts In Your Neighbourhood, street artist Slacsatu will also be taking to Jurong to create a street art installation that explores the memories, dreams, experiences and cultural roots of Jurong that have played a role in shaping the community.
An artwork that is dedicated to the Jurong community, a place that has influenced Slacsatu’s practice, his hope is that the stories and spirit of Jurong is passed down from one generation to the next.
Where: Taman Jurong Community Club (Wall next to Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre)
When: 9 Nov – 31 Dec 2017
Contrary to what people may say or think about Jurong, it is a neighbourhood with plenty of history and plenty of soul.
For the month of November, pop by these installations, watch these performances, or go on the trail! Who knows, you just may come away with newfound appreciation for your neighbourhood!
Arts In Your Neighbourhood
Address: Various locations
Date: 9 – 26 Nov 2017
Website
Also read Singapore Streets Are Re-Imagined As Cult Films In Kult’s ‘Sin City’ Tee And Tote Collection
