As Singapore continues the push toward becoming an international arts and culture destination, the inevitable challenge of balancing traditional values in the country with edge art and theater shows is a thin line to walk. However, many viewers of these shows have expressed surprise at just how meaningful they are and that the government would allow it to be shown within the nation.
Many of these shows were highlighted at the Singapore International Festival of Arts, a production organized by one of Singapore’s foremost playwrights. He is so liberal that when officials originally asked him to organize the festival, he told them no. Ong Keng Sen has been a vocal critic of censorship and government meddling in the arts, and he felt that he had no place directing such an event at the behest of the government. However, an official who approached him chided him for feeling like that, telling the playwright that he had had enough time to complain about the way things were, and now it was time to reshape them.
Ong’s festival has certainly reshaped things. With the visionary playwright at the helm, the festival has hosted many provocative theater experiences and performance art opportunities. The first play — and perhaps the most disturbing — is one that examines the true story of a pedophile who abducted and killed children. Child actors raise questions about just what kinds of favors we do for our own children by trying to shield them from the ugly things in the world, and makes the point that we should be talking about evil in order to better combat it. Many spectators of this important show were shocked that such a play was performed in Singapore, but Ong wasn’t fully satisfied. Just a few days before its premiere, officials decided to restrict access to the show to viewers ages 18 and older. Ong believes this meant missing out on the opportunity to talk with children about the real dangers present in life, and was forced to refund some of the ticket sales.
While there is still much to do to fully open the art scene in Singapore, many of the shows during SIFA are already expanding minds. One such performance required the participation of hundreds of audience members and explored the theme of restricting performance art in Singapore and the still prevalent sense of homophobia in the country. Other future festivals and shows will continue to push for greater educational experiences through art.
Explore the world around you by signing up for an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to see just what types of classes are available to you. Whether you’re interested in comic drawing or 3-D sculpture, there is sure to be a class that inspires you to create new art. Your teacher will work with you and give you the training necessary to complete projects and continue creating long after your class is over.
To read more about this collection of provocative shows, go to http://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2020578/provocative-shows-singapore-arts-festival-stretch.