RCGNTN: make local your focal

For the first time in Singapore, Red Bull will be hosting it’s popular international pop art competition here on our sunny island. We have come to associate Red Bull with vibrancy and creativity and this competition proves that the brand strives for nothing less.

Red Bull Art of Can was officially launched on the 1st of March, and will be concluding with an exhibition for 10 days at the new *SCAPE from 2nd to 11th of July and finally a judging. The only rule participants have to abide to is to use Red Bull’s trademark cans as part of their artwork, which deserves more thumbs up from us for their recycling efforts.

The great thing about Red Bull Art of Can competition is that anyone can take part and the sky’s the limit. I love how they don’t put a cap on anyone’s creativity because creativity is wild and unpredictable. And the prizes are nothing less than the best, I personally feel that getting even the 3rd prize would make me a very happy winner; the prizes are a trip for 2 to Berlin, weekend trip for 2 to Melbourne and a Canon DSLR camera for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Red Bull sure knows how to make people happy.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone because even the public (for the self-proclaimed uncreative people) can get in on the fun by voting on their website! A lucky voter will win a Canon digital camera.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! Registration is now open online at www.redbullartofcan.sg from now to 15 May!

NOISE Singapore, an initiative by the NAC and in their fifth year running is known to many as a platform for Singaporean artists, photographers and musicians to showcase their work, and if good enough, chosen for their apprenticeship program where some of the industry’s respected figures play the role of mentor to these aspiring talent. And true to their word, the NOISE Singapore Showcase 2010 houses some of the most interesting work we have seen, many of which we have yet to discover ourselves!

Spotting a couple of familiar pieces such as Dory’s custom playmobils (third from top), there were many pieces that were pretty eye-catching, one of which was Muhammed Herman who was chosen for the NOISE Apprenticeship Programme. Set in a wet market where many would overlook as a place of interest, the photographer injects much intrigue into the marketplace where the simple act of preparing and selling meat was one that deserved attention.

Our pictures do not do justice to the original work, so head on down to level 3 of Raffles City Shopping Centre and give them your support, or give NOISE a click to check out their showcases in full resolution. The exhibition is currently running until 10th March.

Respected local illustrator Eeshaun will be having his second solo exhibition at the store opening of Actually Actually at 16A Purvis Street on 12th March from 7pm to 9pm. The exhibition, which runs from the 12th of March till 12th April ‘10, will show some of Eeshaun’s new paintings and drawings that are definitely worth a peep or two.

Here’s a little prelude off the facebook event page (which you should check out for more info and preferably RSVP):

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!

Commissioned by Nike Global to produce a tee design for the Presto and Air Force 1’s, Momorobo came up with this amazing piece bearing a caricature of the sneakers accompanied with characters distinctly momorobo. It’s not hard to see that this piece is dope, so keep checking your Nike outlets for these to drop.

And why stop there? Momorobo has plenty of other dope bombs for you to check out at www.momorobo.com.

MTV Swag sees a facelift with the good people of :phunk coming up with on-air show packaging for the segment. The video displays creativity that stays true to MTV’s more-often-than-not random style and imagery, not to mention excellent execution on their part. Check out the flash video here.

hunk has been doing Singapore proud and putting us on the map with their out-the-box ideas, and you too can catch them at Transmission: Lab where they will share their experience and knowledge with aspiring creative talents, and if you’re good enough, you may stand a chance to be one of the 10-15 young talents the studio mentors. Submissions are still open so check Transmission: Lab for more info.

Genevieve Chua may best be known for her work such as Raised As A Pack Of Wolves which was shown at the last Singapore M1 Fringe Festival as well as most recently, her photography exhibition Full Moon and Foxes that was exhibited at the National Museum of Singapore. But what we want to show you today is not her photography, but rather highlight her other passion- drawing.

Those who have seen her past exhibition “As Brutal As” would be familiar with her expert display of technicalities and detail with the pencil, mostly exploring the deeper and darker feelings of the human soul through her work. Gen’s ability to communicate her message through different mediums leave us in anticipation on what she is about to show us next. Check out her interview on RCGNTN here.

(click image to enlarge)

Mojoko’s latest and possibly one of his larger digital canvases titled “Pretty Ugly” spans 2m x 1m and consists of imagery found over the period of 2005 to 2009. This impressive collage not only clocks in as one of the best I’ve seen as yet comprising of some of pop culture’s iconic characters, but also that I’m a sucker for loud blasts of colour and this really takes the cake.

The locally-based artist otherwise known as Steve Lawler founded Mojoko as a reaction to overuse of the computer in 2005, and has since worked with numerous mediums and curated several art shows such as the recent “Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep“. Check out more of his work in the gallery below.

‘Pretty Ugly’ is available as digital canvas or printed on paper at mojoko.net and starts at 380SGD for smaller versions.

My man The Killer Gerbil doing an interview piece while he was in France & The Netherlands. Produced by a Singaporean based in Holland – Hasan Ismail / rastAsia – I must say that this interview is truly one-of-a-kind. Luthfi answers all his questions in his native Malay tongue whilst the questions are posed in either French or Dutch. Now that’s what’s up!

Oh, Scope One is also making a European trip. Spain to be exact. Let’s hope there’s a video feature somewhere. Anyways, mad props to rastAsia for this awesome piece. Great music selection too I must say. Peace from the Lion City my friend.

One.

About the artist:

Sheryo’s kaleidoscopic wonderland sees her quirky, colourful and whimsical characters come alive and blow that fresh breath of positivity and happiness in the direction of the on-looker. Deriving characters and ideas from her daydreams and her passion for illustrations and doodling, the young graphic artist has caught much attention so much so that she has been commissioned by Adidas Originals, MTV, Don’t Panic and Intel, etc.

Check out more of her work at www.illustromaniac.com