A flurry of activity has been taking place at Gillman Barrack recently. For starters, five of its 17 galleries are not going to be renewing their leases once they are up in May, many citing low footfall and poor sales as their reasons. The galleries are: The Drawing Room, Equator Art Projects, Tomio Koyama Gallery and Silverlens.
Does this spell danger for our favorite arts enclave? A spokesperson from the Economic Development Board, one of the developers of the site, said that “the turnover of galleries are part and parcel of a vibrant and competitive art marketplace” and also added that we can look forward to “new non-profit art spaces, F&B outlets and the introduction of creative businesses.”
We hear they’ll be making a big announcement about future plans at the end of the month. We don’t know what it is, but seems clear that arty events and aforementioned F&B outlets are more likely to bring in the footfall than galleries with pictures on the walls. Not a great sign for Singaporeans as serious art-lovers, but oh well.
Speaking of arty events that will draw a crowd, the upcoming bi-monthly Art After Dark on May 29 will feature a free show by the amazing Chicks on Speed, pioneers of the early 2000s electroclash thing. There will be opening DJ sets by local all-female creative collective AttaGirl! as well as collaborative performances with artist Malvina Tan and drummer of local indie rock band Obedient Wives Club, Lennat Mak. More details here. If you miss that, you can still catch them at ArtScience Museum’s monthly ArtScience late event happening on Jun 4. Head here for more info.
