You don’t have to be an expert on the arts to let your creative juices flow at Singapore Art Week’s exciting lineup of exhibitions and events
Shake off 2016 with a burst of inspiration from some of the most creative talents in the local and international arts scene. From now ‘til 22 January, the Singapore Art Week’s back in town, showcasing the crème de la crème of visual art through free and ticketed activities ranging from film screenings to live gigs. It’s okay if you can’t tell a Monet from a Van Gogh, it’s all about having fun with the fam! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the complete gamut of art offerings.
1. Prep by customising your Singapore Art Week itinerary
Make the most of your art journey by personalising your Singapore Art Week experience at www.isaw.sg. Here, you can plan your day through a simple quiz on the website, which will then offer a customised itinerary based on your favourite visual elements. It’s a lifesaver for those who don’t want the stress of navigating a map, as it helps you plan your route too!
2. The easiest way to start your arts adventure? Take it to the streets!
Soak in the vibrant history and heritage of Little India at ARTWALK Little India (12-17 January) or get down with art inspired by street culture at the Aliwal Urban Art Festival (14-15 January) – it’s all about immersing yourselves in a diverse mix of local heritage and subcultures around the world. One of the festival’s highlights, No Regrets for Our Youth, is an exploration of the obsession with health and fitness on social media, through a functional urban gymnasium by local art collective DXXXXD.
While you’re out and about, make a pit stop at Art After Dark (13 January) and hobnob your way through new exhibitions and galleries at Gillman Barracks. Don’t forget to grab a bite from the event’s food and drink stalls, or catch a free music performance.
3. Now that you’ve gotten your first dose of arts and culture, it’s time to pop by a museum
In case you haven’t heard, museums are now cool places to hang out and the Singapore Art Museum’s throwing an exciting event with the city’s top creative folk (20-22 January). Keep your eyes peeled for the Singapore Biennale 2016, which features modern artworks by more than 60 artists across Asia.
4. Ready for the deep stuff? Then level up at an arts symposium
All schooled on the who’s who of the local and international arts scene? You might want to sit in on conversations by curators, artists and scholars at the Singapore Biennale 2016 Symposium: Why Biennale At All? (21-22 January), which discusses the role of the biennale in Asia and Southeast Asia.
5. Take a break with an outdoor excursion
At State of Motion 2017: Through Stranger Eyes (now ’til 5 February), check out the main exhibition space showcasing film screenings, talks, workshops and tours of commissioned artworks around Singapore, where you’ll get to view Singapore from an alternative perspective by delving into the history of Singapore cinema. Go on a day or night bus tour and see filming locations at iconic sites around town, all backdrops of five selected films screened at the Plaza (National Library Building).
If you’re ready for your dose of retail therapy, head to the Tanjong Goodman Weekend Market (21-22 January) and fill your shopping bags with crafts, pre-loved collectibles and eco-friendly lifestyle products.
6. And don’t forget to bond with the squad
One new addition to Singapore Art Week is the Contemporary Printmaking Festival (11-22 January), which highlights modern printmaking as an art form. Catch an exhibition comprising 20 limited-edition hand-printed artists’ books or print your own ‘selfie’ at the Capitol Piazza. Head down on weekends to watch live printing demonstrations and an exclusive multi-sensory performance!
7. Congratulations! You’ve embarked on your very first art week – it’s time to immerse yourselves in more modern art
Drop by Objectifs and see new work by Singaporean and Indonesian artists at Fantasy Islands (11-26 January), a showcase about the manifold relations between Batam and Singapore. Modern art fair Singapore Contemporary is happening at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 to 22 January, and new to this year’s edition is Photo 17, a platform shining the spotlight on contemporary photography in Southeast Asia.
For a full list of events, head to www.artweek.sg or follow @SGArtWeek on Facebook or Instagram.
This article is sponsored by the National Arts Council