Into The Looking Glass: A Local Exhibition You Must Not Miss!
If you haven’t heard, the Singapore Biennale is in town right now, as part of Singapore Art Week 2017!
From now till 26 February, grab your friends and family and attend this eye-opening arts exhibition. We visited Project Dreamcatchers 2016: Into The Looking Glass and it was a rewarding experience.
Project Dreamcatchers 2016: Into The Looking Glass
Project Dreamcatchers is an initiative to help youths with chronic illnesses express their aspirations through art. Despite the many odds these youths face, they soldier on and reveal their struggles through the art they produce.
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Into The Looking Glass exhibition[/caption]
This year, the exhibition at the Singapore Biennale is called ‘Into The Looking Glass’. Aptly named, this exhibition invites visitors to see the world through the artists’ eyes. ‘Into The Looking Glass’ certainly caught our eyes with its display of vulnerability and invitations to connect with its viewers.
Here are four reasons why you should drop by!
Support Local Artists
These budding local artists are partnered with mentors who guide and help them through the production of their art pieces.
Mentors include local artists Samantha Lo, Ho Wai Kit, Noor Iskandar and Tan Jia Hui, who worked closely with the youths to bring their messages to life through art.
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By Sophie Arinie, titled Heart’s Rosary Night. If we just focus on the brighter side of ourselves, we will see ourselves soaring in this wonderful voyage.[/caption]
Sparked by the initial question of what they wish to tell the public, these artworks are personal messages from the youths.
A Stunning Array of Unique Artwork
The artists and youths used mixed mediums and materials ranging from mirrors to plants. They were chosen carefully to best represent the artist’s journey and message, and to elicit the desired response from the viewer.
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These three jars represent Faith, Fear, and Freedom respectively. The messages on the jars show how the artists interpret, express and reconcile the emotions within them.[/caption]
While touching the artwork is not permitted, viewers can interact with the artworks in different ways, like seeing themselves in the reflections of Rayna’s art piece.
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Rayna Tan explains that her art piece depicts the notion of self-image through the journey of life, with each face representing a turning point in the author’s life, and in her journey towards recovery.[/caption]
From this, we can better experience and appreciate the depiction of the artists’ personal journey through life.
Touching Stories
Accompanying each art piece is a personal message by the artist about the inspiration behind their artwork.
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By Sarah Tan, titled Imperfect.[/caption]
Titled ‘Imperfect’, this plywood art piece was painted over with acrylic paint, and the words were scratched out using pigment ink.
Her words of truth, as of those of the other artists, come from a yearning to be heard, recognised and understood.
End Discrimination
Art is an expression of oneself, and a means throughout history of breaking down barriers. When we take the step to understand and look from the perspectives of these youths, we’re helping to end the discrimination they face.
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By Toh Keat Siang, titled HEART.[/caption]
In this art piece, items essential to the artist are put together and held up. When light is projected on these items, a silhouette of a human heart is formed.
Syringes and tablets may not be our essential items, but Toh’s art piece reminds us that we’re all the same inside.
With ‘Into The Looking Glass’, visitors stand to appreciate and support the fight against the discrimination of our youths. Listen to their stories through their art and acknowledge the difficulties they face, and their creativity and presence.
In our ever-increasing world of connectivity, it is exhibitions like Into The Looking Glass that will truly connect us with others on a deeper level.
Disconnect from the bombardment of stories and listen to individual ones by our local youths and artists.
A List Singapore – Your Guide To The Arts And Culture Scene In Singapore
If this exhibition has ignited a desire in you to attend more of such arts and culture happenings in Singapore, why not follow A List Singapore?
As Singapore’s first full-fledged arts and culture guide, you can find comprehensive event listings from music to dance, visual arts to theatre, and literary to family activities. Besides event listings, you can also be updated to the arts and culture scene with their plethora of thought-provoking articles.
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Singapore’s talented actress – Oon Shu An with the various Singapore Art Week 2017 events she might attend[/caption]
Be in the know as they feature up-and-coming promising artists and the shakers and makers of the art industry.
For the latest arts & cultural events happening in Singapore, follow them on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you love the smell of a fresh magazine, keep a look out on their social media channels for when their January hard copy issue will be distributed at SMRT Stations island-wide!
Take the step to explore the rich and rewarding art and culture scene in Singapore; you never know what you might learn and experience along the way!
Also, read 10 Places To Fly Your Drone For Amazing, Never Seen Before Photos Of Singapore!
