‘CONTEMPORARY ART’
SEEN-UN-SEEN: LIGHT-BASED VISUAL WORKS
Curated by Fine Arts lecturers Gilles Massot and Toh Hun Ping from LASALLE, “SEEN – UN – SEEN – An exhibition of light-based visual works” features work from LASALLE’s students and will run from Thursday 18th March at 5.30pm till Thursday 1st April 2010 at the Praxis Space in the school itself.
The phrase opens a Pandora jar, one in which the mystery of the image made of light has remained hidden at the bottom. Light-based images are all around us today in the form of photographs, cinema and videos. Just as the calamities freed by Pandora forever changed the fate of humankind, the multiple forms of the light-based image technology have given shape to a society that has no equivalent to whatever existed before. The predominance of vision over any other physiological senses has even given rise to the concept of “ocularcentrism”, to define a society in which look and visual information largely define human interaction. Yet, however common and widespread those images might have become, particularly in urban environments, the mystery of the light-based image remains whole. What is it that these images are showing? The thing recorded or the illusion of it? And by seeing so much of the world, do we actually know it better? Beyond the seen, what could the unseen be/revealed?
OPENING DATE & TIME: Thu 18 Mar, 5.30pm
DATE: Fri 19 Mar – Thu 1 Apr
TIME: 11am – 5pm (Closed on Mon)
VENUE: Praxis Space, Block H Level 1 #H101, LASALLE College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street
RECAP: CLOGTWO- TERRORWRIST AT DBL O
Clogtwo is dbl O’s featured artist for the month, and if you missed out his opening exhibition or came in a little late, you would’ve missed this ingenious video thought out by the man himself. Screened when the exhibition was about to start, the video is proof of the effort put in by the artist, who thoughtfully put up a short skit where he was caught by terrorists and couldn’t appear at the exhibition.
Clog’s work never ceases to impress, and his new work “The TerrorWrist” is of no exception. The big-ass 6×3 meter mural pictured above depicts the meaning of Scientology translated through his own vision, with the analytical mind battling the reactive mind in the struggle between religion and science.
above: Organic Pseudo People
Totally love the way he incorporates the body’s inner organs such as the heart, brains, guts and gore.
above: Tumorism on a skate deck
above: Circus Freaks
above: The Virgin Mary (Science vs Religion) – via Syamim Mom (c) 2010
On top of that, Clogtwo also released an album titled “We’re Not Enemies”, a collaboration between five non-musicians, namely Imran Zainal, Desmond Shen, Musa Bagushair as well as members of Electrocaine Avneesh and Clogtwo himself, to produce an experimental album based on actual occurences that our beloved world is facing today. A pretty good listen, and an intriguing one at that.
Overall, the experience was a good one. Though more can be done to make the place more conducive for showcasing artwork, it is a good initiative by dbl O. Check out more of Clogtwo’s work over at www.clogtwo.com.
SINGAPORE, OUR HERITAGE (6 – 21 MARCH)
On the 6th of March, fill your walls art gallery will open it’s doors to the public for the first time. For it’s first ever group exhibition, Singapore: Our Heritage, fill your walls will have 5 young artists show their work – Rosihan Dahim, Vincent Chow, William Sim, Jenny Sim and Khai. Expect to see a mix of mediums and elements come together, but all drawing their inspiration from the bustling city of Singapore.
As with all art forms here, we could always do with a little support. So do come down to take a look!
fill your walls is located at 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #04-02 and opens from 10am to 10pm.
ASIAN FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT (6 – 9 MAY)
Could this possibly mark the start to the government taking child education seriously? On the 6th of May, the NBDCS and the Arts House will come together to hold the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. For the span of 4 days, there will be conferences, workshops and forums for those involved in the multi-media industry for children.
The event is not only open to industry players, but parents and teachers as well.
I applaud the organizers for playing their part in emphasizing the importance of art in children’s education. We all know the local education system is slightly lopsided currently, so a change is definitely in order. Early childhood teachers and art teachers everywhere, be encouraged!
REVISITING CHUA EK KAY (5 – 20 MARCH)
Credited for altering the way people looked at Western and Chinese art, the late Chua Ek Kay successfully combined both traditions of painting. In tribute to his bravery and brilliance, 26 of his best works will be exhibited at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute including a hand-coloured paper pulp works.
Also, Chua Ek Kay has done an amazing job in challenging the way we think and our perception on stereotypes. By fusing both the Western and Chinese traditional form of art, he has proven that nothing is impossible. And in such a time when minds are getting lazy, the tribute has definitely come at the right time to give us a nudge out of our comfortable couches.
I dare you to be inspired.
Re-visiting Chua Ek Kay: Tribute to the ink master exhibits from the 5th of March and will run all the way till 20th March.
PHU!: SUP CLOTHING INSTALLATION
Sup will be heading down to the very popular Buffet Trade Show in Melbourne, being the only local streetwear label chosen to represent Singapore among other international street labels such as Japan’s Rocksmith, Sweden’s WESC as well as the very respected Jeff Staple. Props to Jacky!
And when a Singaporean is sent to rep the country, nothing but the best will do. Enter one of Singapore’s finest toy customizers Phu together with what he does best, the result is an excellent masterpiece of the Sup logo that’s locally done and will be exhibited for all to see at the trade show. REPRESENT!
Check out more close-up as well as process images after this, as well as check out Phu on his website as well as on RCGNTN’s guestblogs!
RECAP: LIM SHING EE- DRAWING CIRCUS (6/2-7/3)
It’s quite baffling how someone can be so well-known else where but not in her own country. Lim Shing Ee, has had 9 solo and 35 group exhibitions all around Asia, China and Japan; no small feat for someone who is only 34 this year. Having graduated from LaSalle in 1998, Shing Ee has gone on to complete her scholarship from Musashino Art University and the rest is history.
Influenced by her stay in Japan (she now resides there), her art is done with basic lines and curves. This is evident in her latest exhibition, Drawing Circus, where her sculptures are made up of basic shapes. Usually creating art by ink and paper, Shing Ee uses space this time to allow her audience to interact with her art.
I had no idea what to expect, and when I got a look of the irregular layout of her sculptures I had no idea what to make of them. Simply shaped forms that were pasted on the floor made me feel as though I was stepping on her canvas; that even the floor was part of her exhibition.
She cleverly made used of both 2D and 3D by pasting forms on the walls as well, she was able to make the relatively large space seem small and cluttered; just like in a circus when you feel overwhelmed by everything. I loved how the use of the space on the floor and walls successfully forced us to stretch our necks to look up and down again. Then there were the tiny details where you had to go near or on your knees to see what they were.
Her simply shaped structures would also have you thinking about their resemblance to anything related to a circus, such as an elephant or a tent. Till now, I am still clueless as to what some sculptures resemble but it is the allowance to different interpretations that make her simple sculptures work.
Lim Shing Ee’s exhibition, Drawing Circus, is open now at Sculpture Square from now till 7 March 2010.
ZERO: WARP 02- ADIDARTISTS 2008
Who said graffiti or street art cannot be seen as fine art?
Coming from a strong background based in the arts, ZERO’s works revolve around street culture, pop culture and current affairs. Like all artists, ZERO strives to communicate with the audience in the form of a social commentary through his art; but unlike many, his work constantly tries to integrate and negotiate the function of design and advertising within the framework of conceptual and traditional fine arts.
Observing his pieces from Warp 02, abstract characters coupled with expert technicalities as well as use of colour brings out much vibrance to many a dull background, and never fails to grab the attention of many. Though it is preconceived that art of this kind or calibre can only be achieved with a paintbrush, I have personally borne witness to him using the humble spray can and executing the same, if not more outstanding work.
Other than Adidas, ZERO has also been involved in numerous events and exhibitions as well as an integral part of the ARTVSTS collective. He is also one half of the INGLORIOUS RASCALS as well as an Associate Artist with the Substation.
‘IS THIS HOME TRULY?’ GRAFFITI SHOWCASE
If you want to experience some of the best graffiti Singapore has to offer, you should make Fortune Cookie Projects’ “Is This Home, Truly” your first stop. Curated by Zaki Razak and co-curated by Zul ‘ZERO’ Othman, the exhibition will house the works of well-known and award-winning artists and veterans such as:
Scope (above)
The Killer Gerbil (above)
Slacsatu (above)
ZERO (above)
TraseOne (above)
as well as our January 2010 masthead artist, Antz (above).
Starting from March 5th, 2010 at 8pm till March 22nd, 2010 at 6pm, be sure to head down to Fortune Cookie Projects at 39 Keppel Road, #02-04 Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Admission is free.
BERITA HARIAN 2 – UTUSAN MELAYU (12 JAN-5 FEB)
From 12th Jan to 5th Feb 2010, the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICAS) will be paying homage to all things Melayu with Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu; the surreal, the contemporeal, the cosmoreal. The event-based exhibition will not only feature nine ‘progressive’ contemporary Malay artists of various disciplines selected by curator, Zaki Razak, but will also include free public programs for everyone to get involved.
The predecessor, Berita Harian 2003 was a seminal exhibition curated by Khairuddin Hori which is deemed at present as a ‘point of departure’ for contemporary Malay art – an avant-garde representation of Malay artists who dealt with issues of identity, the intersection of communities and ethnographical stereotypes. Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu is also an attempt to initiate a legacy of artistic platforms reflective to the study of ‘Malayness’, and on top of that aims to explore alternative means of artistic productions, convey enquiries in regards to anthropology of ‘Melayu’ and project issues that are deemed as taboos by the ‘Malay’ society.
Artworks featured in the exhibition include:
Durational Performance by Agitatsiya
Series of Paintings by ClogTwo.
Identity and Catalogue of exhibition by Djohan Djohari
Performance at Abdul Gafoor Mosque by Gene Sha Rudyn
Digital Print by Khairuddin Hori
Time-based Installation by Noor Effendy Ibrahim in collaboration with Ranger Mills
Floor Installation by Ryf
‘Performance Workshop’ by Siti Salihah Omar
Mural by SlacSatu
Free Public Programs
12 JAN, Tuesday
7.30 – 9.30pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
Symposium
Malay Newspapers: Shifting Functions and Representations
The symposium that will grace the exhibition involves the meeting of minds between artists and academics – a sharing session touching on the function of Malay newspapers in pre-independence and contemporary Singapore.
Moderator
Adeline Kueh (Senior lecturer of LASALLE College of the Arts)
Speakers
Zaki Razak (Co-curator of Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu)
Dr Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied (Co-curator of Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu, Assistant Professor at Department of Malay Studies, NUS)
Dr Maznah Mohamad (Visiting Fellow at Department of Malay Studies, NUS)
Gene Sha Rudyn (Participating Artist; Theatre practitioner)
Khairuddin Hori (Participating Artist; Curator of Berita Harian, 2003)
16 JAN, Saturday &
23 JAN, Saturday
2 – 4pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
‘Performance Workshop’ by Siti Salihah Omar, A to Z of Malay
Siti Salihah’s performative workshop invites the audience to witness a pedagogical exchange that involves discussions and participatory exercises with invited primary/secondary school/tertiary students on the A to Z of Malays.
22 JAN, Friday
7 – 10pm
F201 Lecture Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts
Screening (Documentary)
In conjunction with Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu, the documentaries, Orang Asli, Tanah Asli (Land of Indigenous Rights) by Arul Prakkash and 10 tahun sebelum merdeka (10 years before independence) by Malaysian artist, Fahmi Reza will be screened to instill an awareness on the anthropology and history of Malays. A sharing session will also be facilitated after the screening of both documentaries.
28 JAN, Thursday
8 – 11pm
Masjid Abd Gafoor, 41 Dunlop Street
Al-Ikhlas (A monologue in 7 acts re-introducing God)
*Entry: By Registration Only (at entrance or by e-mail to keelat@gmail.com)
A common man – not a scholar nor an expert – born, raised and living in a cosmopolitan society, takes us through his eventful past and, with his limited secular education and spiritual knowledge, raises questions about God and seeks answers.
30 JAN, Saturday
2 – 6pm
Dance Studio, LASALLE College of the Arts
A performative workshop by Gene Sha Rudyn: The Theatre of Daily-Life
*Limited to 20 participants (e-mail to keelat@gmail.com)
Everyone lives through life, but not everything about life is theatrical and not everyone can present it as a theatrical performance. Day-to-day experiences can be presented in Theatre by identifying what is theatrical about them and understanding how to present it as a theatrical performance. This workshop is open to anyone who has a life and desires to present it as a performance.
3 FEB, Wednesday
7.30 – 9.30pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
A talk by the curators, Syed Mohd Khairudin Aljunied & Zaki Razak, What the F are you guys about?
The aim of the session is to reflect on the role of art in contemporary life. Why do we make art? How can art be a channel to reform society? Should art be a form of indulgence or should it be used for the betterment of society? Art, for Who’s sake? At the expense of whom?
5 FEB, Friday
7pm till late
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
Closing Reception
Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu closes with modest refreshments – possibly ‘teh tarek’ and banana fritters, a closing act by Noor Effendy Ibrahim’s Study in reading #36, the launch of the exhibition’s catalogue and a publication by Gene Sha Rudyn.
Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu is part of the ICAS programme of exhibitions showcasing contemporary art practice. This exhibition is supported by National Arts Council, Lee Foundation, National University of Singapore, Abd. Gafoor Mosque and Villains.
Free Public Programs
12 JAN, Tuesday
7.30 – 9.30pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
Symposium
Malay Newspapers: Shifting Functions and Representations
The symposium that will grace the exhibition involves the meeting of minds between artists and academics – a sharing session touching on the function of Malay newspapers in pre-independence and contemporary Singapore.
Moderator
Adeline Kueh (Senior lecturer of LASALLE College of the Arts)
Speakers
Zaki Razak (Co-curator of Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu)
Dr Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied (Co-curator of Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu, Assistant Professor at Department of Malay Studies, NUS)
Dr Maznah Mohamad (Visiting Fellow at Department of Malay Studies, NUS)
Gene Sha Rudyn (Participating Artist; Theatre practitioner)
Khairuddin Hori (Participating Artist; Curator of Berita Harian, 2003)
16 JAN, Saturday &
23 JAN, Saturday
2 – 4pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
‘Performance Workshop’ by Siti Salihah Omar, A to Z of Malay
Siti Salihah’s performative workshop invites the audience to witness a pedagogical exchange that involves discussions and participatory exercises with invited primary/secondary school/tertiary students on the A to Z of Malays.
22 JAN, Friday
7 – 10pm
F201 Lecture Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts
Screening (Documentary)
In conjunction with Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu, the documentaries, Orang Asli, Tanah Asli (Land of Indigenous Rights) by Arul Prakkash and 10 tahun sebelum merdeka (10 years before independence) by Malaysian artist, Fahmi Reza will be screened to instill an awareness on the anthropology and history of Malays. A sharing session will also be facilitated after the screening of both documentaries.
28 JAN, Thursday
8 – 11pm
Masjid Abd Gafoor, 41 Dunlop Street
Al-Ikhlas (A monologue in 7 acts re-introducing God)
*Entry: By Registration Only (at entrance or by e-mail to keelat@gmail.com)
A common man – not a scholar nor an expert – born, raised and living in a cosmopolitan society, takes us through his eventful past and, with his limited secular education and spiritual knowledge, raises questions about God and seeks answers.
30 JAN, Saturday
2 – 6pm
Dance Studio, LASALLE College of the Arts
A performative workshop by Gene Sha Rudyn: The Theatre of Daily-Life
*Limited to 20 participants (e-mail to keelat@gmail.com)
Everyone lives through life, but not everything about life is theatrical and not everyone can present it as a theatrical performance. Day-to-day experiences can be presented in Theatre by identifying what is theatrical about them and understanding how to present it as a theatrical performance. This workshop is open to anyone who has a life and desires to present it as a performance.
3 FEB, Wednesday
7.30 – 9.30pm
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
A talk by the curators, Syed Mohd Khairudin Aljunied & Zaki Razak, What the F are you guys about?
The aim of the session is to reflect on the role of art in contemporary life. Why do we make art? How can art be a channel to reform society? Should art be a form of indulgence or should it be used for the betterment of society? Art, for Who’s sake? At the expense of whom?
5 FEB, Friday
7pm till late
ICA Gallery 2, LASALLE College of the Arts
Closing Reception
Berita Harian 2 – Utusan Melayu closes with modest refreshments – possibly ‘teh tarek’ and banana fritters, a closing act by Noor Effendy Ibrahim’s Study in reading #36, the launch of the exhibition’s catalogue and a publication by Gene Sha Rudyn.
