Dying Art Culture? Nope. Here’s What To Expect During Singapore Art Week 2017
Singapore is often lamented for being a concrete jungle, lacking in arts and culture. To all the naysayers out there, Singapore Art Week 2017 will reveal our Little Red Dot’s big artistic accomplishments!
From 11 to 22 January 2017, explore art exhibitions, festivals and tours located at various places such as Little India, Gillman Barracks and Far East Plaza.
With over 90 different activities happening during Singapore Art Week 2017, trying to catch each one might be tough.
Here’s our pick of the top 10 exhibitions, festivals and activities you must not miss for an unforgettable local art and culture experience.
Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks
An annual crowd favourite, Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks will be back this year on 13th January, from 7pm to 11pm.
Expect a night of incredible talent with live music acts, new exhibits by the Gillman Barracks art tenants and galleries, irresistible F&B pop-ups, and the unveiling of Gillman Barrack’s public art project!
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Peranakan x Star Wars made-in-Japan pieces that will be up for sale at Design New Standard[/caption]
One such exhibit is the Supermama’s Design New Standard, featuring a precious collection of “omiyage”, or contemporary giftware, made by Singaporean and Japanese designers and craftmakers.
Art After Dark x SAW2017
13 Jan 2017, 7pm till late
Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937
Weblink
Contemporary Printmaking Festival
Discover the intricate art of printmaking at the Contemporary Printmaking Festival 2017.
Featuring local printmakers such as PHUNK and the Gentlemen’s Press, uncover a weekend of printmaking heaven.
You can even look forward to a Print Your Own Selfie workshop with Jackson Tan from PHUNK.
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Print your own selfie with stamps created by Jackson Tan of PHUNK[/caption]
Learn how to make silkscreen, letterpress and traditional Intaglio printing from printmakers themselves at live demonstrations and printing workshops.
Contemporary Printmaking Festival 2017
11 – 22 Jan
Open plaza at Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905
Weblink
Aliwal Urban Art Festival
Soak in the cool atmosphere that accompanies Street Culture at the annual Aliwal Urban Art Festival.
Get ready to be wowed by impressive and renowned talent present at the festival, such as local bands Tomgirl, Urban Artists, and RSCLS!
Here’s what you can expect from a single night at Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2017: Hip Hop Block Parties, Urban Art faceoffs, Live Performances by Poptart, Forests, and Ant-men, live DJ performances, Skateboarding challenges and even Indigoism’s Barter Market!
Aliwal Urban Art Festival
14 Jan, 5pm till late
Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918
Weblink
State of Motion 2017: Through Stranger Eyes
For this activity, audiences will be presented with feature films where Singapore made an appearance.
While watching the films, you’ll be seeing the transformation of Singapore through strangers’ eyes.
Starting from the Pavilion at the National Library, audiences will be taken on a 3-hour bus tour to visit the exact locations seen in the films.
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Scene from The Wild Eye, 1967, where a director brings his crew and lover around Singapore in the 60s[/caption]
Site-specific artwork and works by Amanda Lee Koe, The Observatory, and more will be present at each location to further enhance the experience.
Afterwards, audiences can attend the talks and panel discussions held to get a deeper understanding of the appearance of Singapore in cinema.
Register for tickets
6 Jan – 5 Feb, 10am – 9pm daily (excluding PH)
The Plaza, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
Coupled with her book launch at One East Asia Gallery, she will be baring all with personal writings, news articles, and photographic work in chronological order.
Come for the tongue-in-cheek, colloquially funny artworks, and stay for the honest sharing of her growth and thought processes behind her creations.
RSVP now at +65 6737 1819 or [email protected] for the opening at 6:30pm.
Greetings from Singapore
10 – 31 Jan, 12 – 7pm
One East Asia Gallery, 15 Scotts Road, #09-03 Thong Teck Building, Singapore 228218
Weblink
Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre
Made from over 14,000 Swarovski crystals, with eight wing-like kinetic chandeliers (each 1.2m long), and accentuated by LED light, homegrown artist Suzann Victor took 2 years to complete this masterpiece.
A perfect representation of the National Museum of Singapore’s authentic 19th-century neo-Palladian architecture melding with the modern glass wing, the artwork was designed to reflect light that shines through the glass windows.
They sway to 8 different swinging patterns as well, and can even form the shape of a dragon due to the customised electromagnets within.
No Regrets For Our Youth
Created by Singapore art collective DXXXXD, No Regrets For Our Youth explores the obsession with #fitspo and gym life that has proliferated in our society. In an attempt to understand the relationship one has with their body as a health or vanity focus, DXXXXD has transformed Music Studio 1 in Aliwal Arts Centre into an artistic jungle gym. This exhibit will feature sculptures in the form of common gym equipment, and may even offer bodybuilding and wrestling workshops. No Regrets For Our Youth Running for the 3rd year in a row, ARTWALK Little India is a public art project set in Little India. Set to the theme of Your Path To Remember, audiences this year are encouraged to walk through Little India and uncover the memories and stories of Singapore’s past. There’ll be live performances, retelling of folktales and mythologies, as well as mesmerising art installations. Art Stage Singapore
The leading Asian Art Fair, Art Stage Singapore connects art lovers from all over the world with the best of Asian Contemporary Art. The 7th edition this year, expect a plethora of artwork as there are over 20 galleries with art from 27 countries. Get your tickets Curated by Khairuddin Hori, this exhibition will showcase new commissions by artists such as Cleon Peterson, Zheng Lu and Oanh Phi Phi, as well as Singapore artists Gerald Leow and Sheryo+Yok. One of the renowned international artists featured is Kristen Berg, most known for her captivating works at Burning Man. For those of us who are unable to travel to Arizona annually for Burning Man, catch a glimpse of the experience with her sculptures at LOCK ROUTE from 13 Jan – 30 June at Gillman Barracks! LOCK ROUTE Just writing this compilation is making us excited for the launch of Singapore Art Week 2017! Best of all, a number of these art exhibitions and installations will be around for an extended period of time, perfect for those of us with busy schedules. With only 10 out of over 90 art and culture activities recommended in this article, we understand if you are feeling some FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? Whether you would like to read up on the other 80 activities or plan your weekend around the art exhibitions, why not follow A List Singapore for an in-depth guide on Singapore Art Week 2017? 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 with the arts and culture scene with their plethora of thought-provoking articles. With a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even a Youtube page, you can follow A List Singapore on all your favourite platforms and never fear missing out on the local art scene. 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! This Singapore Art Week, embark on a meaningful and reflective journey as you appreciate the arts and culture scene. The amazing talent in our sunny island may just wow you. Also, read Into The Looking Glass: A Local Exhibition You Must Not Miss!
12 Jan – 12 Feb, 11am to 8pm daily.
Music Studio 1, Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918
Weblink ARTWALK Little India
Image courtesy of LASELLE College of the Arts[/caption]
Water Dripping—Splashing, Zheng Lu. Image courtesy of Zheng Lu[/caption]
Nestscape by Thai Artist Mook[/caption]
12 – 14 Jan, 12pm – 8pm; 15 Jan, 11am – 6pm
Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Snake by Gerald Leow, featured at Singapore Art Museum’s front lawn in 2013[/caption]
Constellation of One, Kristen Berg. Photo courtesy of Kristen Berg[/caption]
13 Jan – 30 June
Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road, Singapore 108937
WeblinkA List Singapore – Your Guide To The Arts And Culture Scene In Singapore
Savvy Local’s Guide: Fill Your Calendar To 15 Jan With These Must-Not-Miss Events!
Rise and shine, peeps! It’s time to add another resolution to your list, “to make 2017 the greatest year ever” (if you haven’t already done so). In keeping with that, our calendars are fully marked till 15 January and we’re GOOD TO GO!
Calendar of Events (1 – 15 January 2017)
1. Singapore Art Week 2017
The fifth edition of Singapore Art Week is back with a dazzling array of installations ranging from visual treats, exhibitions, art workshops, to tours and performances.
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Artweek SG[/caption]
All this will be take place across art galleries, museums and exhibition spaces across the island.
Singapore Art Week 2017
When: 11 January 2017 – 22 January 2017
Where: Various venues
Explore: https://www.artweek.sg and Into The Looking Glass: A Local Exhibition You Must Not Miss!
2. Legend of the Moon 3D Musical
Known as the first 3D musical of its kind, the Legend of the Moon showcases the life, culture and art of the Dong people, a minority race in China.
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3. Chinese New Year 2017 happenings at Chinatown
Usher in the year of the Rooster with a bang!
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4. M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2017: Art & Skin
Through theatre and visual art, this sexy yet serious art festival explores the profound relationship between art and skin, and examines the dynamics of culture and the thorny issue of xenophobia.
[caption id="attachment_20945" align="alignnone" width="960"] With its name derived from the Tamil term “pongu”, meaning to “boil over” or “overflow”, this Tamil harvest festival is traditionally celebrated from 14 – 16 January in India. [caption id="attachment_20949" align="alignnone" width="640"] [caption id="attachment_21028" align="alignnone" width="800"] If raw fish was never your thing, there’s no better time than now to learn how to DIY this Yu Sheng dish. What’s best is, vegans can dig in too. DIY Prosperity Yu Sheng With Vegan ‘Raw Fish’ Class Join throngs of devotees as they partake in a traditional kavadi ceremony [caption id="attachment_20955" align="alignnone" width="3456"] [caption id="attachment_20960" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Musician, poet and artist PJ Harvey started out two decades ago, earning numerous Grammy and Brit awards nominations along the way. That’s not all – the iconic master of all trades has also worked alongside Thom Yorke, Nick Cave, Björk and more. [caption id="attachment_21026" align="alignnone" width="752"] Stopping over in Singapore for her international tour, she and her band present music from her latest release The Hope Six Demolition Project. PJ Harvey In this fifth instalment of the Local Chef Showcase, pursue the legacy behind renowned Szechuan delicacies with 2-star Michelin chef Chen Kentaro. Michelin Guide Local Chef Showcase: Chen Kentaro Ready for a tipple or two, or heaven forbid, three? [caption id="attachment_21031" align="alignnone" width="650"] If you thought this was all, well… We’re right smack in the middle of the Singapore Biennale which winds up on 26 February. On top of that, Mulan the Musical is currently in full swing at the Resorts World Theatre till 5 February. Now, the countdown begins… Here’s to ticking off these unmissable activities on your bucket list! Header image credits: Blacklimosg Also, read Into The Looking Glass: A Local Exhibition You Must Not Miss!
5. Pongal Festival 2017
6. DIY Prosperity Yu Sheng With Vegan ‘Raw Fish’ Class
Eventbrite[/caption]
When: 14 January 2017, 10.30 am – 12 pm
Where: Mahota Commune, Kitchener Complex, Level 3, 809 French Road
Explore: Eventbrite – DIY Prosperity Yu Sheng with Vegan Raw Fish7. Simply Organic Brunch (Cooking Class Series)
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Eventbrite – Simply Organic Brunch8. Thaipusam Festival 2017
9. Art Stage 2017
10. PJ Harvey (Mosaic Music Series 2017)
Esplanade Mosaic Music Series[/caption]
When: 13 January 2017, 8 pm – 9.15 pm
Where: Esplanade Theatre
Explore: Esplanade Mosaic Music Series 2017 – PJ Harvey 11. Michelin Guide Local Chef Showcase: Chen Kentaro
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Michelin Guide SG[/caption]
When: 13 January 2017, 7 pm – 10 pm
Where: Shisen Hanten, 333 Orchard Road, Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Explore: Eventbrite – Michelin Guide Local Chef Showcase (Chen Kentaro)12. CNY Japanese Sake Warehouse Sale
Eventbrite – CNY Japanese Sake Warehouse Sale
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!
