Art isn’t just something pretty to look at, watch, or listen to. Instead, art plays an important part of society, offering commentary and criticism, as well as critical reflection on the course of history and culture in a country. Art can be controversial, but it is sometimes more important to be open to criticism instead of shutting it down.
With Singapore’s booming arts and culture scene, many artists and viewers of art alike have worries that maturing artists and their increasingly mature themes and artworks are in danger of being stifled by government rules and regulations. Doing so, some people argue, could become a setback to all the growth that the art world has enjoyed recently in Singapore. This includes the openings of new galleries and museums, as well as newly inaugurated festivals, shows, and exhibitions. One of Singapore’s most celebrated recent art achievements has been a traveling show that has garnered a wealth of positive attention in cities such as Paris and New York City.
Some people argue that without a loosening of some of the restrictions controversial artwork, films, and more can face, Singapore could be at risk of losing some of its best new talent and artists. Several top curators have already left the country to lead museums and galleries abroad, where rules aren’t quite as stringent. This leaves Singapore in danger of being swept into a “brain drain,” or a situation in which talented individuals born and raised in the country seek their fortunes elsewhere in the world, halting their contributions to Singapore’s forward progress in favor of relaxed rules to let their art grow organically.
Art has an important place in society because art is often said to imitate life. Talented artists deserving of public attention and consideration take this one step further by allowing their art to not only imitate life, but also comment on it — good and bad. It’s the bad commentary — the criticisms that regulators might decry as bad for moral — that are the most important. Criticism encourages the viewers of the art to look at their own lives and societies and analyze what could be better, perhaps inspiring them to look for solutions to work toward that goal.
Censorship of artworks and films by Singaporean artists shown in Singapore, some people argue, is harmful to Singapore as a whole. Knowing that they might be restricted could make talented artists on the verge of their big breakthroughs hold back, limiting their own potentials. At worst, it could make them move to other countries where they don’t have to experience such limitations.
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To read more about Singapore’s arts regulations, go to http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/time-review-arts-regulation.