Following its successful launch last year, the second edition of Art Stage is back from Jan 12-15 at Exhibition Halls D, E and F, Marina Bay Sands, with over 120 exhibitors from 18 countries and over 50 special projects and commissions. While major works by international artists like American photographer Annie Leibovitz, British sculptor Antony Gormley and French sculptor Bernar Venet will be on show, Asian works are particularly strong this year, with at least 10 large installation projects by Asian artists (see Larger Than Life).
“Since establishing ourselves in Singapore three years ago, Asia was a great field of discovery for us,” says Frederic de Senarclens, director of Art Plural Gallery, who is showcasing works by China’s Li Tianbing and Qiu Jie and India’s Thukral and Tagra at this year’s edition. “India and China are particularly fascinating … our last exhibition paid tribute to these creative art scenes that are extremely dynamic. To us, the relevance does not lie in the artists’ nationality but in the message and deepness of their creativity.”
While last year’s major draws were notably more Pop oriented (David LaChapelle’s fashion- inspired photography and Takashi Murakami’s Pop Art prints created the most buzz), the focus this year is notably more cerebral, site-specific and thought-provoking—large Asian installation works aside, there will also be numerous fringe exhibitions on Asian art taking place at various galleries across the city.
“The future lies in Asia’s hands,” testifies Herdon Contemporary’s director Andrew Herdon. “The marketplace in the West is saturated, [while] here …interest in contemporary art is growing beyond the gloss of how much money can be made on return from investments. People want to be more culturally educated … through quality platforms like Art Stage.“
Larger Than Life
“Artificial Moon” (2007) by Wang Yuyang
Made from over 4,500 energy-saving bulbs, this installation measures 4m in diameter and its bulbs were strategically designed to mimic the real moon’s craters and surface features.
“Daily Incantations” (1996) by Chen Zhen
Made from 101 nightstools (Chinese chamber pots) that the late artist and his friends purchased on the streets of Shanghai, the nightstools are suspended from a large structure reminiscent of an ancient Chinese instrument.
“Ghost Transmemoir” (2008) by Bose Krishnamachari
Designed with 108 used tiffin boxes suspended from a frame and wired with headphones and miniature screens, the installation evokes the buzz and chaos of Mumbai streets.
“Untitled 2008-2011 (the map of the land of feeling)” by Rirkrit Tiravanija
This project is a three-part scroll, three ft. high and 84 ft. in length, utilizing a combination of techniques including screenprint, offset lithography and inkjet print.
“We are Asia!” (2011) by Navin Rawanchaikul
His 12m movie-inspired paintings feature a “Who’s Who” of the Asian art scene, including significant artists, curators, collectors and other arts professional.
“I Still Remember” by Yang Jiechang
Yang’s unparalleled calligraphy skill is seen in this large six-panel-wide ink-on-paper work, which narrates in painstaking detail the names of his family, friends and acquaintances.
“World Hug Day” by The Gao Brothers (January 14, 9am)
This public performance will move you in more ways than one. The idea is to gather a big group of people together, who will then choose one person at random to hug for a total of 15 minutes. The group then all joins together to form a giant hugging cluster for an extra five minutes.
