(Designer of this art publicity* is “Le Matt“, a talented Singaporean artist.)
I’m buzzing to take part again in yet another Seed Fest Singapore initiative – possibly Singapore’s first ever Art Garage.
For the last 5 years, I’ve been to many galleries. New York’s MoMA, Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, East Timor’s Art School and many more. As I walk in the Esplanade, the National Museum, Singapore Art Museum, I’ve often wondered to myself, will I ever get a chance to share my art ideas?
Last year, I got my break. Thanks to the team of independent art producers like Terence Tan behind Seed Fest Singapore, I had my first arts exhibition in The Arts House and The Substation. They want to celebrate authentic, ground-up arts. They support emerging artists by giving us visibility through granting us space (both artistic and physical) to showcase our works. The spaces come with no-frills, everything is D.I.Y. Admission is free. The setting is relaxed. Free and easy.
This year, instead of a typical arts exhibition, Terence came up with the idea of an Art Garage after a conversation with visual artist Tan Xiang Yeow and site specific performance artist Jamie Marie Lewis. This is Terence’s artistic vision: ”The Art Garage is a gathering of young artists past and recent works; to be displayed, stacked and sifted through for visitors to literally discover their art. The works may merely be showcased, or artists may choose to sell them. The main goal is for visitors to not fear interacting or holding the art (likewise the artist), so as to let art be a closer part of non-artists’ lives.”
We often lament that Singapore is very dense, space is precious and expensive. I like Terence’s thought on challenging this status quo. Instead of continuing to complain, mope and be immobilized, he wants to prove through the Art Garage project, that we need not be limited to traditional arts spaces like formal galleries. Through creative improvisation, you’ll see how the hall will be transformed. Hopefully, this will spark off ideas on how more art spaces can be made available for our artistic youths. While I appreciate funding and big-scale formal initiatives by institutions and organisations, I’m glad that there is also space for “pop-up” art, makes life interesting yah?
Beginning this Sunday (November 20), we will be experimenting, decking a hall meant for theatre with our artworks. With Christmas coming, where people will be singing “Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly”, we will be coming together to “Art the Hall” with hearts of jolly. How often, do we get an opportunity like this?
The other participating artists include: Le Matt, Eunice Lim, Noc Vvyne, Asri Scola, Francis Poon, Tan Xiang Yeow, Jamie Marie Lewis, Jeremy Zhong, Darius Cheong, Nhawfal Juma’at, Ella Wijt, Dey Irfan, Shirley Khng and Asman bin Khalil
If you’re planning what to do next weekend, you’re welcome to pop by and say “hi” and “Art the Hall”, together with us!
Details:
The Art Garage will be held from 24 November at 19:30 to 26 November at 22:00. Venue: ”The Hall” at “The Arts House“.
Opening night is on 24 November 730pm. Opening times: 24-25 November (19:30-22:00), 26 November (14:30-22:00)
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* Concept & Flavor of art publicity: The gorilla is a play on the word “guerilla”, representing this indie arts movement. The gorilla image is treated graphically as screenprints in Warhol style and the placement is in a traditional gallery. These symbolise a challenge of the status quo of typical art spaces and art works.
