Explore the contemporary art scene and human endeavour for change today at the Singapore Biennale 2019 (SB2019). The event sprawls across 11 venues in Singapore, featuring works from 77 artists and art collectives from over 36 countries and regions.
Explore the contemporary art scene and human endeavour for change today at the Singapore Biennale 2019 (SB2019). The event sprawls across 11 venues in Singapore, featuring works from 77 artists and art collectives from over 36 countries and regions.
Commissioned by the National Arts Council and organised by the Singapore Art Museum, this year's biennale is titled "Every Step In The Right Direction" and focuses strongly on Southeast Asia. It welcomes over 150 artworks in multiple formats, including film, installations, sound art and performance, plus new commissions surrounding themes such as social and political issues, the diaspora, environment, beliefs and more. Filipino arts academic Patrick Flores serves as artistic director.
Experiencing SB2019 feels like an adventure that takes visitors through images and sound that stimulate the eyes, the mind, and go deep within the conscience. Geography-wise, it's also a journey that gets one to explore venues in different parts of Singapore. This lack of a centralised location also resonates with the theme. Visitors can take a step in any direction they desire, starting at whichever venue they see fit and begin to explore the scene.
Together With History In A Room Filled With People With Funny Names 3-5.
Ayaw Jaw Bah.
"I'd recommend spending at least a few days to see everything," said Vipash Purichanont, a Bangkok-based curator who is part of the SB2019 multinational curatorial team.
Discussing the theme, Vipash said the exhibition is an open one for all curators to think about how they can move forward differently.
"Each of us has our own interpretation. Some think of it in terms of geography. Others are more conceptual or historical. Mine focused on research about the Zomia highlands in Southeast Asia, which border India and Southern China. We're living on a plain. So, what if we go uphill onto the highlands? We're moving slightly away from the concept of Southeast Asia that's quite separated into individual countries, and more into a certain region — a marginalised area — for them to showcase their works," said Vipash.
"In the age of globalisation, it's also a question whether the Singapore Biennale can talk about or criticise the world through its basis in Southeast Asia. And to talk about the world in a conversation that is not from the so-called centre or the West," he added.
SB2019 also features many works by Thai artists with a wide variety of scope and media, from landscape paintings of countries where people live due to political reasons to the everyday sounds recorded at a market in northern Thailand. Among these Thai artists is Dusadee Huntrakul. Titled The Map For The Soul To Return To The Body, his collection of 16 ceramic sculptures inspired by Ban Chiang pottery touch on today's urgent issues such as climate change and basic income. He is also one of the five international artists shortlisted for the Benesse Prize, which honours an outstanding SB2019 artist with an experimental and critical spirit.
Vipash Purichanont and Dusadee Huntrakul.
La Camera Insabbiata.
Gilded Age.
Many of the works at SB2019 both reflect on and criticise society. Reflecting back to the Thai art scene, Dusadee said Thai artists have also been trying to question things around them and express those ideas through art. One example he gave was about religion, mentioning controversial pieces in recent years like the Ultraman Buddha and the portrait of a man wearing make-up and saffron robes.
"Art is doing its job to push into a certain wall," said Dusadee. "And as artists, the most important thing we want is for people to feel, to look into themselves, as well as what can and can't be done about us and also society."
Offering his curatorial point of view, Vipash said it's the curator's discretion to decide how much they believe in the public and how strong the people are at viewing art. Increasing exposure to art would aid in developing critical thinking skills, he says.
"To show artworks that involve current political and cultural issues, we have to at least believe that viewers can decide and realise that it's not about right or wrong. It's not black or white," said Vipash.
The Map For The Soul To Return To The Body.
Suddenly Turning Visible.
2219: Futures Imagined.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF SB2019
Ayaw Jaw Bah
Busui Ajaw is an artist from the Akha ethnic group who lives and works in Chiang Rai. Her works — a series of paintings and an installation — are on display at the Gillman Barracks. It's the depiction of a tragic story of an Akha prince, his son, and also Amamata, or the first mother.
Together with history in a room filled with people with funny names 3-5
Also at Gillman Barracks, this two-channel synced video by Korakrit Arunanondchai explores traditional animist beliefs and digitisation amid themes such as mythology and post-humanism. Audiences can view the video on the comfy pillows provided in the darkened room.
2065 (Singapore Centennial Edition)
It's art and it's also a game. Lawrence Lek offers a virtual space for visitors to examine the not-so-distant future of Singapore while closing the gap between art and entertainment. Visitors can navigate their way on-screen using a joystick. Try the game at the Asian Civilisations Museum.
La camera insabbiata (The Chalkroom)
Head to SMU de Suantio Gallery and experience disembodiment flying around in this black-and-white, virtual-reality installation by Hsin-Chien Huang, with vocal guidance by Laurie Anderson. This work won the Best VR Experience Award at the 74th Venice Film Festival in 2017.
Gilded Age
Le Quang Ha depicts human greed, power and control in this mixed-media installation that combines provocative paintings, golden sculptures of fat naked men and video footage featuring the likes of Kim Jong-Un. The work can be found at National Gallery Singapore.
DROP BY THESE EXHIBITIONS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SINGAPORE VISIT
Suddenly Turning Visible: Art And Architecture In Southeast Asia (1969-1989)
- If you’re already visiting the National Gallery Singapore for SB2019, don’t forget to see “Suddenly Turning Visible” in Koh Seow Chuan and Ngee Ann Kongsi Concourse Galleries on Level B1, until March 15. The exhibition examines how art and architecture intersected in Southeast Asia during the 1960s to 1980s. It explores the practices of three influential art institutions in the region — the Alpha Gallery in Singapore, Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, and Bhirasri Institute of Modern Art in Bangkok. Visit nationalgallery.sg/SuddenlyTurningVisible.
2219: Futures Imagined
- Visit the ArtScience Museum to take a trip 200 years into the future. See how international artists, architects, filmmakers and more envision the possible future in human-scale and how our lives and things surrounding us — including the look of our home, food and even bicycles — may change. It is immersive and experiential. Audiences also get to be a part of its thought-provoking installation. The exhibition will run until April 5. Tickets for adults are SG$19 (425 baht). Concession rates and family package are available. Visit marinabaysands.com/museum.html.
