2018 has come upon us, and what better way for art lovers to celebrate than with a 12-day celebration of all things visual arts. Singapore Art Week returns for its sixth edition from Jan 17- 28, for all to Discover, Experience and Engage with art. We’ve rounded up 10 highlights that are not to be missed.
1. ART STAGE Singapore 2018
Recognised as the flagship show of the Southeast Asian art world, it’s fair to say that anchor event ART STAGE has succeeded in bridging the global and regional art scenes. In this year’s edition held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, expect even more special projects, showcases and dialogues centered on contemporary art—this time, with a special country focus on Thailand.
When: Jan 26-28, 12pm-9pm (Friday), 11am-7pm (Saturday), 11am-6pm (Sunday)
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Level 1 Hall A-C
Admission: Ticketed
2. Art After Dark
There’s plenty to look forward to after the sun sets at Gillman Barracks. Gear up for live music, F&B pop-ups and a visual arts feast with new exhibitions like SEA STATE 9: Proclamation, displaying new works from Singaporean artist Charles Lim, and Transaction of Hollows, a performance piece by Indonesian artist Melati Suryodarmo. Other special programmes include a rare look into the studios of NTU CCA Singapore’s Artists-in-Residence Bui Cong Khanh (Vietnam), Carlos Casas (Spain/France), Kent Chan (Singapore), Robert Zhao Renhui (Singapore) and more.
When: Jan 26, 7pm till late
Where: Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road
Admission: Free
3. DISINI
Named after the Malay adverb ‘di sini’ (meaning ‘over here’), DISINI is Singapore’s first-ever site-specific visual arts festival presenting a series of events, music performances, art exhibitions and public engagements celebrating the historical significance of the Gillman area. Expect local, regional and international artists to descend upon this large-scale, ground-up festival held in the region.
When: Jan 26-Sep 30
Where: Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road
Admission: Free
4. Light to Night Festival 2018: Colour Sensations
Discover a sensory explosion of colour, light and sound as cultural institutions and parks at the Civic District (stretching from National Gallery Singapore to Esplanade Park) are transformed into works of art. Enjoy a stunning multimedia projection show across National Gallery Singapore’s building façade, immerse yourself in art installations by internationally renowned artists like Ho Tzu Nyen, David Medalla and teamLab, and enjoy extended hours at your favourite museums and galleries! Special F&B options and creative products will also set up shop in the area.
When: Jan 19-28, various timings
Where: National Gallery Singapore, Padang, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Empress Lawn, Asian Civilisations Museum, Esplanade Park and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Admission: Free
5. Aliwal Urban Art Festival
Aliwal Urban Art Festival returns for its fifth edition! Look forward to art and performances inspired by global street culture—pit your football skills with friends at the Street Football Challenge, learn to skate at the Skate Drop-In Clinic, enjoy live performances by bands like Bakers In Space, Sobs, EatMePoptart, Mean and Vandetta, and check out interactive artworks at M.A.T.A.S (Make A Terrific Artwork Someday). You can also fill your tummies at the food trucks and shop at the pop-up street market. Don’t forget to soak in the sights and sounds of Kampong Glam as well—it’s been dubbed one of Singapore’s coolest neighbourhoods for a reason.
When: Jan 20, 5pm till late
Where: Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street
Admission: Free
6. RAID
With a history dating back to Japanese air raids during World War II, the Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter serves as a haunting setting for this thought-provoking exhibition. RAID allows you to explore this rarely open-to-public site through the lens of eight up-and-coming artists working across the fields of installation, sculpture and conceptual art.
When: Jan 13-Feb 3, 12pm-6pm, closed on Mondays
Where: Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter, 78 Guan Chuan Street
Admission: Free
7. Accelerated Intimacy by Sarah Choo Jing
Conceptualised by local artist Sarah Choo Jing, solo exhibition Accelerated Intimacy at Yeo Workshop features narratives of subjects housed within various hotel windows. The poignant multimedia work consists of video installations, physical objects and print photographs, and raises questions of site, memory, familiar strangers and staging in relation to time.
When: Jan 19–Mar 3, 11am-7pm (Tuesdays to Saturday), 12pm-6pm (Sundays)
Where: Yeo Workshop, Blk 1 Lock Road #01-01
Admission: Free
8. Shared Coordinates 2018
Galleries from Singapore (FOST Gallery), Jakarta (ROH Projects), Manila (Silverlens Galleries) and Shanghai (Edouard Malingue Gallery) come together at The Arts House in partnership with Singapore Art Week. In this joint exhibition, artists like Adeel Uz Zafar, Grace Tan, Tromarama, Wawi Navarroza and more will present a contemporary art show celebrating the region’s wealth of artistic expression.
When: Jan 20-26, 10am-10pm
Where: The Arts House, Gallery 1, 1 Old Parliament Lane
Admission: Free
9. State of Motion 2018: Sejarah-ku
Film buffs—this one’s for you. Revisit Singapore’s film history through a series of iconic Malay-language films produced by now defunct Shaw Malay Film Productions Ltd. There will be a diverse line-up of artworks and programmes created in response to these films. Be sure to catch the programme’s opening weekend performances at the National Library Plaza and Malay Heritage Centre, such as a theatrical show directed by Irfan Kasban. You can also enjoy free film screenings and talks over at the Malay Heritage Centre, and there’s even an offshore boat ride you can take to Pulau Ubin and Pulau Sekudu!
When: Jan 12-Feb 11
Where: National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street and Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate
Admission: Free for exhibition, talks and screenings; Tours are ticketed
10. Natee Utarit: Optimism is Ridiculous, The Altar Pieces
Drawing inspiration from catholic church altar paintings, leading contemporary Thai visual artist Natee Utarit presents his interpretation of the world and various Western beliefs. The exhibition—comprising seven pieces from the artist’s series of work which began in 2012 at The Private Museum—goes against the grain of Western ideologies shaped by imperialism through Utari’s adoption of his own unique Asian perspective.
When: Jan 24-Mar 11, 10am-7pm (Mondays to Fridays), 11am-5pm (Saturdays & Sundays)
Where: The Private Museum, 51 Waterloo Street
Admission: Free
Check out what else is in store for Singapore Art Week 2018 at www.artweek.sg, and follow @SGartweek on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates!
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