Annex 2
PROGRAMME DETAILS
1.SHOWCASING SINGAPORE ART
Singapore Art Exhibition (Main Platform)
3 August – 3September
SingaporeArt Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road
10am – 7pm daily with extended hours till 9.00pm on Fridays
The National Arts Council (NAC) and National Heritage Board (Singapore Art Museum) present the Singapore Art Exhibition (SAE) at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) as part of SAS07. To be held from 3 August to 3 September, it provides a comprehensive survey of Singapore art through both an invited and open section.
The theme for the invited section is Imagining the City. Curated by Low Sze Wee and Seng Yu Jin, 20 Singaporean and Singapore-based artists ranging from the young-and-upcoming to established artists have been selected to showcase their works. Artists include Chua Ek Kay, Goh Beng Kwan, Tan Choh Tee, Lim Tze Peng, Foo Tee Jun, Hong Sek Chern, Raymond Lau, Francis Ng and Michael Lee. Selection is based on their past body of works and their ability to produce or submit works that would respond to the curatorial theme.
“One of the most striking features of contemporary Singapore is its highly urbanised environment and its global connectivity. Most of the population live in dense, highly planned public housing estates and make use of some of the most advanced technologies in their daily work. Skyscrapers, expressways, concrete and glass – have become iconic of the city. Apart from enduring symbols, the city is also a site for change, where buildings are torn down and people move from place to place. In many ways, it resembles a living organism, constantly in flux and always dynamic. The city is a place of excitement, tensions and contradictions. How do artists respond to such environments? What do they have to say about the city and its inhabitants today?”
Works from between 60 to 80 artists culled from the 749 entries submitted will showcase and celebrate the creative talents of a variety of visual artists based in Singapore. The open section will award two prizes: the International Residency Prize, and the My Favourite Artwork. The International Residency Prize will award a residency grant of not more than $50,000 to be administered by NAC. My Favourite Artworkwill award a cash prize of $5000 to the favourite artwork based on visitors’ choice.If the artwork that a visitor votes for is the overall favourite, the visitor stands a chance to win My Favourite Artwork Voters’ Prize.
The Best of UOB
16 August – 8 October
SingaporeArt Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road
10am – 7pm daily with extended hours till 9pm on Fridays
Presented by UOB Group
Supported by NationalArtsCouncil & SingaporeArt Museum
The annual UOB Painting of the Year Competition began in 1982 to support and nurture the visual artists of Singapore. Through the years it has proven to be a significant catalyst for artistic inspiration and an effective springboard for artists to develop their career.
The Best of UOB exhibition presents the 26 overall winning paintings for each year from 1982 to 2007. Collectively, these paintings represent a general overview of the aesthetic exploration among young Singapore artists over the last twenty six years. The variety of styles, themes and techniques employed by the artists are not only indicative of our trends in social and aesthetic consciousness, but also our geographical disposition from which we benefit from a vibrant course of constant change and a gulf of diversification.
Chua Ek Kay’s Street Scenes: A Gift of History
23 August – 12 September
SingaporeManagementUniversity, The Gallery
School of Economics / School of Social Sciences, 90 Stamford Road
10am – 8pm daily
Chua Ek Kay is one of Singapore’s leading contemporary ink painters. The recipient of the Cultural Medallion Award in 1999, Chua’s artistic career spans 3 decades. His artistic passage has taken him through formative years in traditional ink painting under the tutelage of Fan Chang Tien, to his present practice as a contemporary ink painter.
The exhibition features 30 Street Scenes paintings from the SingaporeManagementUniversity’s Chua Ek Kay Collection. The Street Scenes series has featured prominently in Chua’s oeuvre since the mid-1980s. It provides an account of Chua’s stylistic development of the theme over a span of 20 years, and examines the impact of Singapore’s changing urban landscape on the artist’s sense of history and identity.
The Chua Ek Kay Collection is the artist’s gift to SMU by the artist in 2006. A publication on Chua Ek Kay’s Street Scenes series will be launched in conjunction with the exhibition. The monograph includes essays by Joanna Lee, Gretchen Liu, Kwok Kian Chow, and T. K. Sabapathy.
Special Event
Book Launch & Exhibition Opening of Chua Ek Kay’s Street Scenes: A Gift of History
23 August, 7 – 8.30 pm
Bridging Ties With Watercolours
31 August– 4 September
Ngee Ann Cultural Center, 97 Tank Road
11am – 7pm, daily
Venue sponsored by NgeeAnnCulturalCenter
Singapore Watercolour Society (SWS)is proud to present its 38th Members’ Annual Exhibitionto showcase the various watercolour artworks by its members ranging from established artists like Ong Kim Seng, Chew Piak San, Loy Chye Chuan and Seah Kam Chuan, just to name a few; to young and upcoming watercolourists such as Marvin Chew, Chia Kok Tiong and Anne Lim. An estimated 40 members will take part in this event.
“Bridging Ties With Watercolours”, aptly titled to mark its 38th anniversary as SWS has invited its counterparts from the Penang Water Colour Societyto participate in this event. It is a great opportunity for artists from both societies, not only to showcase their works together but provide a platform to further explore and expose the medium of watercolours to international visitors attending SAS07.
As one of the outreach programs to the public, SWS will organize theSingapore National Junior Watercolour Competition 2007 for students aged between 10 and 18. Winning artworks will be displayed together with established members of SWS during this exhibition.
Special Events
Opening Ceremony
31 August, 6pm, Ngee Ann Cultural Center
Singapore National Junior Watercolour Competition 2007
is open to all school students in Singapore between the age of 10 and 18. Details of the competition can be obtained from our website A prize-giving ceremony will be held right after the official opening on 31 August.
Painting Demonstration by Professional Artists
One of our members will perform a demonstration on how to paint his favourite subject and at the same time explains his thoughts, techniques and his artistic view on the painting.
DEMONSTRATION I : 1/9/2007 Sat 2:30pm-3:30pm
DEMONSTRATION II : 2/9/2007 Sun 2:30pm-3:30pm
Icon: Cathedrals of Commerce
14 August – 5 September
NanyangAcademy of Fine Arts - Gallery 3
80 Bencoolen Street
Mondays to Saturdays, 11am – 7pm; Closed on Sundays
Icon: Cathedrals of Commerce by Simon James is a large-scale video installation that explores the significance of skyscrapers as icons and symbols of national identity. The work incorporates footage of the world's tallest buildings in Asia and draws on the correlation that these buildings have become thecathedrals or temples of our modern society to question whether money and consumerism have become the new spirituality.
The installation consists of a tower of flat-screen displays with a series of floor projections that cast forward from the base of the tower as if forming a giant shadow. Images of the most prominent buildings in Asia emerge through sky and clouds to form a composite tower that represents the aspirations of the Asian economy. The work utilizes digital display technology to create a sculptural composition within the gallery space. The tower represents achievement and strength while the shadow of projections questions the vulnerability and stability of our society.
The video was filmed in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei. As the piece moves through day into night, illuminated windows eventually fade into a sea of flickering candles, reinforcing the analogy that these buildings have become the new cathedrals of our time.
The WheelockArtGallery: Zul@ZERO’s Ephemural Space
17 August – 14 October
The WheelockArtGallery
6 Scotts Road
11am –9 pm daily
The Wheelock Art Gallery Project (WAG) is a community project by Wheelock Properties Singapore Limited to run art exhibitions for no more than two years’ duration pending the completion of Scotts Square. WAG will programme a maximum of 12 shows featuring local contemporary artists, as well as artists from SEA and Asia, with each show lasting approximate 2 months.
As an exploration into the co-relation between space and temporality of urban art, Zul@ZEROwill produce five different murals painted over each other during the length of the exhibition. By not allowing his works adequate time to be viewed as a whole and allowing the viewers to follow his entire artistic process of whitewashing and re-creation of the murals, Zul adds a secondary performative element to the space and demystifies the creation process of urban art.
2. RE-ENGAGING TRADITIONS
LIMITED / UNLIMITED
15 September– 6 October
Gallery, Singapore Tyler Print Institute
41 Robertson Quay
Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10am – 6pm; Mondays by appointment only
The 27th Anniversary Exhibition of Printmaking Society Singapore by the Printmaking Society Singapore, at the Singapore Tyler Print Institutefeatures the works of Chng Seok Tin, Ernest Chan, Miguel Chew, Cristene Chang, Marisa Keller, Justin Lee, Urich Lau, Lim Bee Ling, Lim Choon Jin, Kelly Reedy, Shubigi Rao, Tay Bee Aye, Leong Soo Min, Foo Kwee Horng, Chan Mei Hsien, Nur Ain, Terry Poh and many new members. It aims to explore the unlimited possibilities within the limited boundaries of making prints, and hopes to challenge traditional techniques, resulting in an unconventional body of works. These works are selected by Printmaking Society Singapore senior advisers, Ernest Chan, Marisa Keller and Miguel Chew.
Special Events
Opening
14 September, 7pm
Workshops
Saturday 15 September, 10am – 1pm
Relief Printing: Collagraph and Linocut
1-day beginner’s workshop on relief printing by Printmaking Society Singapore artist. ($65)
Saturday 22 September,10am – 1pm
Intaglio Printing: Drypoint and Acrylic
1-day beginner’s workshop on intaglio printing by Printmaking Society Singapore artist. ($65)
Saturday 29 September,10am – 1pm
Screenprinting
1-day screenprinting workshop by Printmaking Society Singapore artist. ($65)
Artist Talks
Introduction of artists, slide/video showing the creative process behind the artworks for "LIMITED / UNLIMITED" - Admission is free
- 15 September • 1 - 2 pm • STPI • Ms Chng Seok Tin & Ms Marisa Keller
- 22 September • 1 - 2 pm • STPI •Mr Urich LauMs Lim Bee Ling
- 29 September • 1 - 2 pm • STPI •Mr Ernest ChanMr Justin Lee
Pots, Pipes and Other Pieces
1 – 9 September
NationalLibraryBuilding, Level 7, 100 Victoria Street
10am – 9pm, daily
In the heydays of the Guan Huat Dragon Kiln it was fired fortnightly to meet the demands for latex cups, water vessels, bowls, pipes and flower pots. The production of these wares was in line with the demand for rubber from plantations in the area during the 60’s and the Garden City campaign of the 70’s. With the increase in imports of cheaper mass manufactured wares and a significantly reduced demand for such wares, the production diminished, and the kiln eventually ceased to be used. In 2003, the site of the kiln was revived for use as studio spaces for clay artists and hobbyists, keen to come together to share their passion for the art. Currently the site houses 24 ceramists and potters.
Presented by artists at the Jalan Bahar Clay Studio, Pots, Pipes and Other Pieces is a showcase of the art of ceramic practice in Singapore today, this exhibition brings together 12 ceramists and potters to re-present and re-interpret wares that were produced in this kiln site, combining modern, contemporary themes and functionality into these objects; providing a contemporary interpretation of objects that were made here in the early days.
Special Event
Jalan Bahar Clay Studio Open Day
1, 2 & 8 September
Jalan Bahar Clay Studio, 97L Lorong Tawas
11am – 4pm
Clay activities, talks by artists, tour of the Dragon Kiln; Clay activities include: Raku firing, hands on session with clay.
World of Batik
2 August – 8 October
Singapore Management University Campus Green and Gallery (various venues)
80 Stamford Road
10am – 7pm daily
World of Batik is presented by Sarkasi Said in collaboration with SingaporeManagementUniversity. It is both a historical collection as well as a contemporary re-presentation of batik in a multitude of fun and interesting forms, exploring classical hand drawn Batik to contemporary Batik in the region. This project includes exhibits, installations, weekly workshops, demonstrations and community projects.
Special Events
Public Workshops
Every Sunday from 5th August to 7th Oct
SMU (near Campus Green)
10am –1pm(First-come-first-served basis. Limited availability.)
5/8: Make a souvenir Batik handkerchief with natural dyes and block printing
12/8: Explore Batik techniques on paper and create a pretty Batik postcard to decorate a wall.
19/8:Stride in Batik with your own personalised canvas shoes. Let your imagination run wild.
26/8: Tie-dye T-shirts! Use the Batik technique to create unique designs and transform a plain T-shirt!
2/9: Make a souvenir Batik handkerchief with natural dyes and block printing
9/9: Explore Batik techniques on paper and create a pretty Batik postcard to decorate a wall.
16/9: Stride in Batik with your own personalised canvas shoes. Let your imagination run wild.
23/9: Tie-dye T-shirts! Use the Batik technique to create unique designs and transform a plain T-shirt!
30/9: Make a souvenir Batik handkerchief with natural dyes and block printing
7/10: Explore Batik techniques on paper and create a pretty Batik postcard to decorate a wall.
Workshops for Schools
Primary and secondary school students can attend workshops by the artist during the exhibition period. Schools, please book in advance with the artist. Email: or call98361197.
3. BEYOND THE WHITE CUBE
Curating Lab
2 August – 8 October
Various Locations
Curating Lab is a public art programme commissioned by NAC, with 3 components led by artist-curators, Heman Chong, Cheo Chai Hiang and Joselina Cruz. Curating Lab explores the role of the artist-curator and is an experimental platform for local curators to collaborate with local artists on original and innovative projects that situate and install their art in everyday spaces.
Word of Mouth (a component of Curating Lab)
2 August – 8 October
VivoCity Shopping Mall #01-168, #01-169 & 01-170
10am – 10pmdaily
In Word of Mouth by Heman Chong, three artists - Ho Tzu Nyen, Lynn Lu and Ming Wong have been commissioned to produce three new videos based on their personal sense of time, space and memory as inspired by Chris Marker’s seminary film, Sans Soleil.
Drawn from their own experience as contemporary individuals living in three different cities, Singapore, Tokyo and London, the artists have produced works of intimate journeys that take the audience along in their rigorous and meticulous meditation on the processes of memory and the roles it plays in their lives and in society at large.
The videos will be installed at VivoCity, designed to allow the audience to chance upon the work whilst going about their leisurely routines.
You Are Not A Tourist (a component of Curating Lab)
2 August – 8 October
Raffles City Shopping Centre, Level 1, Concierge and CityLink Mall (near Concierge)
12pm-8pm daily
Curated by Joselina Cruz and featuring Tan Kai Syng, Tang Ling Nah, Vince Ong, Wee Li Lin and Charles Lim, You are Not a Touristis a project that seeks to engage artists and a challenged public in the realm of place-making. Three artists, an architect and a filmmaker were invited to wend their way through Singapore and create routes which are their personal take of the city. The process is an experiment to seek, without the overarching dictation of city planners, alternative ways to experience the spaces, places and geography of Singapore. The resulting projects create a textured experience of Singapore, an urbanized center given to glossy veneers. The project is based on the premise that cities around the world are created on a template from which individuality is excluded, giving similar experiences, if not identical, to those who walk its narrative.
Each project takes on a variety of technologies to none at all, and layers the city with multiple understandings and sympathies, should the general public decide to take all four walks. Kai Syng Tan’s project, “The Rather Terrible Slaughter of the Tourist Guide” creates a video-based fictional walk replete with mascot-like characters, a fictional tour guide and a storyline which embroils the audience in a city-tour mystery. The project culminates at a shop window in one of the city’s many shopping centers.
Tang Ling Nah’s “Here, There, Nowhere” takes us on a poetic palimpsest of transitory spaces, those which have been overlooked but become momentary places for some people.
Architect Vince Ong’s project is almost an inner-city walk weaving through alleys and old buildings and raising us to a higher ground to give another view, allowing us to listen, giving us a chance to breathe in places.