All Posts by Smiley Admin

0 Modernism in Southeastern Asia to get spotlight treatment in show

National Gallery Singapore is set to host its first international collaboration show with the upcoming exhibition, “Reframing Modernism.” Described as a show that will turn the understanding of modernism on its head, this exhibit will spotlight a number of worldwide masterpieces in the context of modernism spanning several continents.

Working with other nations in the Southeastern Asian region as well as museums in Paris, National Gallery Singapore will also use some of its national art to curate a thoughtful show that displays the different connections present in modern art — no matter where the artist originated. So many art educations are based on pieces that were created in the Western world. This exhibition aims to impart a much more inclusive take on modern art education, putting regional artworks on the same stage as their better-known Western counterparts to create a new narrative.

National Gallery Singapore organizes expressed a desire to upend some of the classic viewpoints on modernism as well as shine a spotlight on historically valuable artworks from the Southeastern Asian region. Organizers also said they hoped to offer viewers a much more enriching experience by involving regional artworks viewed side by side with global giants. Instead of organizing standalone and standard traveling shows, National Gallery Singapore officials say they hope to make an immersive exhibition that is more meaningful for its audience.

The exhibit will feature paintings by very well known Western artists, including Picasso and others, hanging alongside artists from the East who were painting in the same period. This will serve as a way to examine modernism in a broader context. All of the artworks fall under the classification of the modern art era, but the global theme will provide a commentary on inclusion. Organizers are faced with the tough task of avoiding trivializing artworks and comparing them just for the sake of comparisons. Though some art from the period created by different artists might look similar, for example, that doesn’t mean that the art was created for the same purposes. Instead, the exhibit itself centers on the artists, examining the arc of the careers and the influences that shaped their masterpieces.

The collaboration is remarkable for National Gallery Singapore simply because the institution is in its infancy, having only just opened at the end of last year. The museum has a wonderful partnership with other facilities in the region, and will also be publishing a magazine to coincide with “Reframing Modernism.”

Explore what modern art means to you by signing up for an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com for an easy and streamlined way to browse through dozens upon dozens of art classes available for art students of all levels. Expert teachers will help guide you through projects and curricula you’re interested in and can even meet with you in the comfort and convenience of your own home for classes.

For more on the upcoming show, go to http://theartnewspaper.com/reports/modernism-revisited-in-singapore/.

0 Affordable art to be on display in show’s return

Singapore’s popular Affordable Art Fair is back for the eighth year in a row, proving just how important it is for people looking to start collecting in a non-intimidating and highly accessible space. Scheduled for the end of this month, the Affordable Art Fair is an event sure to please all of the attendees.

The show, which will take place over a weekend to ensure as many people can go as possible, will host over forty new and returning galleries. More than 300 artists from Singapore, the Southeastern Asian, and the rest of the world will also be participating, making this event an affair to be remembered. There will be many artistic genres on display, meaning there will be masterpieces for all kinds of different artistic tastes. Singapore artists and galleries will be well represented at the Affordable Art Fair, putting creative minds of the country in the spotlight.

Now more than ever, everyone in Singapore is looking to save money. That’s why the Affordable Art Fair is such a valuable option, offering a venue to showcase new and emerging artists and acting as a platform to connect these artists and their works with new potential collectors. The Affordable Art Fair is just that — affordable — and looks to do immense good for the art world. A popular feature from last year is returning — a showcase of new artists’ masterpieces on a special wall. Half of all sales from the wall go toward a charity — this year, it’s a Singaporean hospital — and artists donate the pieces for sale. These artworks are all priced at $500.

There are so many reasons to attend this year’s Affordable Art Fair, and reasonably priced artworks on sale for a good cause are just one of them. There will also be workshops and other educational opportunities for all members of the family. Workshops for children ages 4 and older will be available so that you can browse the art without any distractions or worries. The workshops are designed to keep the children engaged and creating artworks of their own, exploring different artistic genres. During the weekend, there will be live performances at the Affordable Art Fair, as well as opportunities to sample food and drinks while browsing the art.

If you’ve always been curious about different types of artistic mediums, why not sign up for an art class to explore those mediums? Visit SGArtClass.com today to investigate all the different kinds of art classes available. Try printmaking on for size, or take lessons on working with charcoal, chalk pastels, and more. You have the opportunity, once you sign up for a class, to work one on one with your teacher to develop a plan to investigate the genres and creative projects you’re most interested in investigating. Think about enrolling soon — creative days await you!

To read more about the upcoming affordable art show, go to https://senatus.net/event/affordable-art-fairs-spring-edition-returns-third-year/.

0 Art lawsuit to get its day in court

A lawsuit against a businessman from Switzerland by a business leader in Russia will be heard in Singapore courts. The lawsuit alleges that Yves Bouvier, the businessman, inflated painting prices before obtaining them for Dmitry Rybolovlev, the business leader, enabling Bouvier to earn lots of extra cash on the sales.

Though Bouvier has argued that the cases should instead proceed in court in Switzerland, Singaporean judges have declined, saying that the fact that Bouvier is a permanent resident of Singapore and that a large number of the sales took place in Singapore means that the case should be tried in Singaporean courts. At issue will be determining whether Bouvier acted as an agent of Rybolovlev or if Bouvier was acting as an independent seller. Bouvier contends that he was an independent seller, meaning it was his right as a businessman to name the prices as he pleased to make a living. Bouvier netted about US $1 billion from the sales. Another woman who was involved in the acquisitions and sales at this time was also named in the lawsuit.

Rybolovlev and two businesses filed suit against Bouvier, saying the Swiss businessman was fraudulent when he inflated the price of the art, breached his duties as an agent, and kept secret profits. The art consisted of mostly paintings from such art masters as Picasso, Van Gogh, and others.

Bouvier runs a business for art and valuables storage, which operates in both Luxembourg and Singapore. Rybolovlev runs a fertilizer business and also owns a soccer team. The relationship between the two began in 2003 when Bouvier helped the Russian magnate obtain a total of 38 pieces of art through a company of Rybolovlev’s. A total of 22 of the paintings during the period in question were obtained while Bouvier was physically located in Singapore, explaining the judge’s ruling that the lawsuit hearings should proceed in Singaporean courts rather than Swiss courts.

Interested in boosting your artistic knowledge? It can be intimidating to want to build on your creativity without knowing which direction to turn to. However, the best solution is right at your fingertips — SGArtClass.com, accessible on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. SGArtClass.com is a fantastic way to browse an exhaustive listing of art classes for students of all tastes and experiences. Think about embracing your love for snapping pictures by taking a photography art class. Consider pursuing your love for painting by trying out one of our acrylic painting classes. Do you love makeup and all the latest fashion trends? Think about enrolling in a nail art class, which could transform into a lucrative career. The only limitation is your own creativity. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never seriously picked up a paintbrush. Our expert teachers will work with you to develop classes that are perfectly suited for your interests.

For more on the lawsuit, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/spore-court-to-hear-14b-art-suit.

0 Art Stage Singapore makes leap to Indonesia

The enormously successful Art Stage Singapore, an anchoring event in the Singapore Art Week, is expanding its reach throughout the region by agreeing to host another art event in Indonesia.

The new event — Art Stage Jakarta — will be held at the end of this summer. Dozens of galleries will be featured as a part of the event, and the former director of Bazaar Art Jakarta for the past two years will offer his expert aid in organizing it. Art Stage Jakarta will be an event that complements its sister event, Art Stage Singapore. While Art Stage Singapore is more known as an internationally tilted art festival, Art Stage Jakarta will focus more on celebrating regional art with a focus on Indonesian artists and masterpieces. This will help develop an increased appreciation for art in the Southeastern Asian region, presenting a unique partnership with the international attraction of Art Stage Singapore.

The director of Art Stage Jakarta says its close relationship to Art Stage Singapore will offer previously untapped opportunities to expand the art market in the surrounding areas. Though there are no plans as of yet of forming other Art Stage presences in other countries in the region, one must consider the high interest and good chance to expand the Art Stage brand. Art Stage Jakarta and Art Stage Singapore staff members will work together to offer their various types of expertise to both of the art events. Local considerations will be handled by the Jakarta operation, while international dealings will be handled by the Singapore operation.

Though Art Stage Jakarta is scheduled to take place in August, Art Stage Singapore will be continued to be held at the beginning of the year in conjunction with the Singapore Art Week. This past January’s event saw Art Stage Singapore competing with a rich selection of other art festivals amid Singapore Art Week, including the hotel boutique event Art Apart and a contemporary art festival. Though attendance to Art Stage Singapore was down a little this past year, the level of art in the country continues to impress both regionally and internationally. Art Stage Singapore also has a history of heavily recruiting artists and artworks from Indonesia for representation in the festival. Coupling Art Stage Singapore with Art Stage Jakarta will offer more opportunities for everyone — from galleries to artists to viewers and possible buyers of artwork.

Are you interested in exploring the art world but aren’t sure where to start? SGArtClass.com makes it simple and painless to browse dozens of art classes online before settling on lessons that interest you. SGArtClass.com will enable you to connect with a teacher experienced in offering expert direction to art students of all ages and abilities. You will be able to work with your teacher to create flexible lessons and projects that interest you so that you can broaden your artistic horizons and develop a surprising new skill set.

For more on Art Stage Singapore’s presence in Jakarta, go to http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/art-stage-singapore-expands-jakarta

0 Former prime minister honored through youth art

In Singapore, many young people between the ages of 17 and 35 might remember spending their formative years under the leadership of the first prime minister of the country, Lee Kuan Yew. Those same people got the opportunity to commemorate the historically important leader through a special art project constructed with a symbolic medium.

More than one hundred Singapore youths constructed a portrait of Lee using a unique artistic medium — erasers printed with the Singaporean flag. Nearly 5,000 of these erasers were required to complete the portrait, which towers on a red background. The portrait was completed to honor Lee on the first anniversary of his death.

The effect of using the erasers to construct the portrait is interesting. Close up, each of the erasers display a simple printed red and white flag, along with the word “Singapore.” It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the same thing repeated again and again, getting lost in the patterns and repetitions. However, when stepping back and taking in the effect of all of the erasers working together, placed strategically against the red background of the artwork, it’s easy to discern Lee’s memorable portrait. The texture of the portrait almost looks like pop art, and the fact that the installation is made up entirely of Singaporean flags makes it even more special. The sides of the installation are white, and viewers of the portrait have the opportunity to leave messages on those portions of the artwork using black marker. One such message thanks Lee for helping to develop the country that Singapore has become today.

Multiple members of Lee’s family have not only contributed by adding erasers to the portrait, they’ve also visited the completed artwork to make remarks and take photos of the masterpiece. The erasers were provided by a company that sells vintage Singaporean snacks and memorabilia. The vintage erasers were a perfect way to honor Lee and his legacy within Singapore.

Another art tribute to Lee took place by combining many smaller art pieces to make a larger portrait of the former prime minister. The backgrounds of the pieces matched up to make a vivid rainbow behind Lee, which is reminiscent of a speech he made urging Singapore’s youths to find their own rainbows and ride them.

Art is a broad understanding of creativity that contains many multitudes of different genres. If you’d like to explore art, think about enrolling in one of many classes available via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com offers a wide range of classes — from collage art to installation art, from sketching to oil painting — and will surely have a course that piques your own creative interest. Expert teachers are on hand to help you complete art projects you’re most interested in, taking your ideas and making them reality. Teachers will work with your busy schedule to make sure you’re utilizing your creative time to the best of your ability.

For more on the artistic displays of Lee Kuan Yew, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/youth-pay-tribute-to-lee-kuan-yew-with-art.

0 Numerous Singapore art galleries to show in Hong Kong

Singapore art will be getting a significant boost thanks to the fact that eight of the country’s galleries will be taking part in Asia’s most venerable art festival, Art Basel Hong Kong 2016.

The galleries will be showing their wares as a part of the festival, which takes place later this month. Some of the remarkable art that will be on display includes a memorable piece printed on the edges of stacked paper and displayed horizontally. The paper stacks are skewed and arranged so as to challenge the viewer’s perception of what should be a straightforward view into a copse of trees in the woods, presented in the form of a black and white image. The piece draws the viewer’s eyes down and around and up again, making it clear that everyone sees things differently.

Another piece that will be on display is a quietly powerful pencil on canvas composition of a breast-shaped container. The white background with subtle patches of acrylic creams and ivories offset a soft pencil depiction of the vessel, which is hatched and crosshatched in a two-dimensional representation. A vivid sculpture will also be on display, which presents an eye-catching ethnic woman presenting a platter of fruit. The sculpture is cast in aluminum, making it a shiny metallic silver color except for a bright swath of yellow paint across the mouth. Yet another 2-D piece is an impressive black and white work that depicts a natural scene coupled with mining images. The top of the composition shows knotted ropes and wooden planks, while the bottom shows a magnificently pointed gemstone.

Two photos coupled together in another display offer an interesting juxtaposition of images. The first, on the left, shows a site in nature. The second, on the right, shows an enormous mound of sand taken from the site and dumped in an urban area. Another example of art that will be on display in Hong Kong is a uniquely framed oil painting with wild energies present, combinging lines and shapes and movements of a star and a human figure.

The increased presence of Singaporean art galleries also means an increased visibility for what Singaporean artists have to offer the art world. This reflects a growing value of Singapore art via collectors and viewers around the globe. From 2009 to 2014, the monetary value of art in Singapore has doubled. This is, in part, thanks to the efforts of Singapore galleries to increase their global reach, bringing Singapore art to previously untapped markets. Singapore art has been increasingly shown in international markets, heightening its visibility and making it possible to continue to expand its popularity and reach. Art experts predict that Singaporean art will continue to grow in value in the near future.

Explore art today by signing up for an art class via art website SGArtClass.com. Many classes are available for a wide range of interests, from photography to painting to sculpture.

To read more about Art Basel Hong Kong 2016, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1337641/record-number-of-singapore-galleries-to-show-at-art-basel.

0 Artist pushes for Singapore to accept graffiti art

Singaporean graffiti artist Ceno2 is often recognized when he goes abroad, but he is still struggling for recognition in his home country. The noted creative mind is pushing for Singapore to accept the idea of graffiti art as fine art, particularly the brand of graffiti art he practices.

Ceno2 — also known as Mohammad Azlan Ramlan — first developed a passion for the edgy art form by painting a neighbor’s house when his own parents told him he couldn’t do the same to their own. Though the old man could have alerted authorities and pointed out the young artist’s crime, he didn’t. Instead, the old man invited the young artist back to complete the painting, paying him for the project. Ceno2 said the interaction was formative for him, instilling a passion for the pursuit of art as a career — and graffiti art in particular.

School continued to be challenging for Ceno2, who cited a personal art hero as Rembrandt. While he was studying Western painting, fellow students and faculty at art school disparaged him for his graffiti work, telling him he wasn’t an artist because of it. However, through persistence and luck, Ceno2 got his first graffiti art job — besides his neighbor’s house — when he was commissioned to create art for a library. After that, he started to travel the world, doing graffiti art in places like Chicago, New York, Germany, and other locations.

Ceno2’s brand of graffiti is like fine art because he wishes to showcase it like that. He uses fine art and classical artists, like Rembrandt, as his inspiration when creating graffiti art. He often does graffiti interpretations of fine art pieces, as well as using classically inspired techniques in his own graffiti art, such as lots of details for his people and figures. Ceno2’s aim is to create graffiti art that inspires viewers to have emotional connections to a place while improving the community as a whole. He also hopes to encourage Singapore to accept graffiti as a fine art so that the nation can begin to develop its own take on the creative genre. With more acceptance, Singapore will be able to bridge gaps within the art world and shine on a national stage, like other graffiti-friendly communities.

Are you inspired by monumental graffiti artworks you pass by on your regular commute between home and work? Are you curious about how and why they are created? If you’ve ever been interested in the study and practice of graffiti art, there’s no better time to sign up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. This website offers a collection of art classes, including graffiti art, to help you hone your craft while answering essential questions. Expert teachers will help you plan and scale your graffiti projects as well as helping you decipher where to realize these projects and how to get permission to complete them.

To read more about the efforts to make graffiti art more widely accepted, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ceno2-wants-singapore-to-see-graffiti-as-fine-art.

0 Art collides with science in new exhibits

In the spirit of marrying art with science, new immersive artwork exhibits are on display to celebrate the fifth anniversary of ArtScience Museum in Singapore. These new installations are designed to open the door to the study of science through the accessibility of art. The exhibits on display are dependent on viewers — many of them — participating to get the richest experience possible while visiting the museum.

The first display, a stunning and impressive piece called Crystal Universe, aims to give viewers the experience of being suspended in space with a closeup view of stars and planets and galaxies. The installation employs thousands of LED lights that act as heavenly bodies on the move. Viewers step into this brilliant world and enjoy the illusion of immersing themselves in the universe — a view that many of us may never see in our lifetimes. The effect is otherworldly, a sight requiring the suspension of disbelief in order to enjoy a truly artistic take on science.

Other installations at ArtScience Museum function best when many people are engaging with them. This includes the Light Ball Orchestra, an exhibit where visitors are encouraged to roll and bounce large colored balls against the floor and one another. When the balls hit something, they light up and produce sounds. The more balls in play, the more sounds and lights can be experienced. That’s why it behooves guests to work together to create the brightest and noisiest experience possible.

Another installation at ArtScience Museum is a languid display that would seem more at home at a zoo or aquarium. Instead, it’s a projection of fish and other sea creatures interacting with each other on the walls, creating the illusion of being underwater and able to engage with them. These illustrations are both serene and exciting at the same time, making some viewers believe they are looking at actual sea life instead of highly advanced technology making its mark on the art world.

The goal for the curators and organizers of these exhibits at ArtScience Museum — the team is based in Tokyo — is for viewers to experience science and technology through engaging with art. People are meant to look and touch and listen and interact, dictating personalized experiences at the museum. The art will change from time to time, so visitors are also encouraged to invest in season passes to continue to return to the facility, which will afford a new experience with every visit.

Art comes in all different shapes and sizes, and technology is one exciting force acting upon the art world in this moment. Take an art class via SGArtClass.com to ride this cutting edge wave into a hobby or career you may never have considered. Enroll in a class on video art or digital art to explore technology’s role in shaping trends in the art world. It doesn’t matter if you’re a classically trained expert in oil painting or a person with zero art experience.

For more on the exhibits, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/visit-new-worlds-at-artscience-museum.

0 Those under 18 restricted from play about Singapore artists

“Manifesto,” a play split into four parts that explores the relationship between artists and the government, has been given a rating that restricts viewers younger than 18 years old from seeing it. This rating was given to the show a day before its opening night and on the same day its final script was submitted to the Media Development Authority. The reasoning behind the rating was that the play offered a take on mature social and political themes.

One of the founders of the theater who is also helping to direct the play disputes this, saying that young people deserve to take on challenging art by themselves and without the intercession of the ratings system. However, the theater is issuing refunds to individuals under the age of 18 who had previously purchased tickets, as they will not be able to see the show. Schools that had also purchased tickets for underaged students to see the play will also be receiving refunds.

The show’s four parts all explore the relationship between art and government control in different ways. The first part examines the story of a young artist who must leave his loved ones during a stage of political upheaval. The second part shows writes who have been detained by government security forces. The third part of the play reflects on artists looking for a place to freely express their creativity without interference from the government. The fourth part takes place some time in the future with a theater collective learning about their secret past.

The play is challenging in of itself regardless of its politically tinged script. Tweaks to the script and plans for the show were made time and time again to accommodate the diverse cast of actors. The production has been working with the Media Development Authority for some time on the play, including involving the group with the changes to the script and multimedia aspects of the show. The Media Development Authority had warned organizers that the stringent rating was a strong possibility, but final word was not received until the submission of the final script — made after deadline, and just one day before the opening night of the play. Works of art can receive this rating if they depict contentious race or religious issues, feature lifestyles outside the most widely accepted norm, high sexual content or nudity, egregious violence, and cursing.

Interested in taking an art class but not sure where to start? Visit SGArtClass.com to explore its comprehensive listing of art classes you can enroll in today. Once you’ve browsed through the collection of different art classes to take, select one and start connecting with your expert teacher. These teachers are trained to adapt class lessons to your particular skill set — whether you’re a burgeoning artist or an established one looking to hone your craft. Meet with your teacher on your own time and in your own home or another common location.

To read more about the play, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/singapore-play-about-role-of-artists-gets-r18-rating.

0 Singapore light art event puts sustainability in spotlight

It might seem counterintuitive at first for a light art show to tout one of its major themes as sustainability with so much of the festival dependent on energy-draining displays, but that’s just what this year’s i Light Marina Bay show is aiming to do.

Many of the numerous light displays, some of which are projected onto the building facades at Marina Bay Waterfront, are relying on sustainable energy like solar power, as well as using recyclable construction materials as a part of their displays. It’s this spirit of being environmentally friendly that has organizers of the festival encouraging both businesses and residents to be mindful of their energy consumption throughout the duration of the festival, turning off lights when no one is using them and increasing the temperatures inside of buildings to save on air conditioning outputs. The energy saved by these efforts from many structures and people in the region will go toward powering the displays of the light art festival, meaning that the entire event will operate nearly without leaving a carbon footprint.

The light art festival will also take place during the annual Earth Hour on March 19 in which various cities across the globe participate in turning off the lights for an entire hour to highlight the importance of energy conservation and sustainability. During this period, the light art displays at the festival will also be turned off in solidarity with the efforts.

Numerous artists from around the world are participating in this year’s event, showcasing a broad range of talent and visions. One display projected on a building allows viewers to interact with it via an app, moving Chinese characters onto the display for everyone to see. Another display offers an impressive grid of solar lights ensconced in bamboo, making a shimmering and immersive artwork. The artist of this work says that the lights will be donated to communities in Myanmar that don’t have access to such lights, while the bamboo structures of the installation will be donated to make construction scaffolding. These thoughtful donations ensure that no piece of the artwork will go to waste.

Another innovative piece by a Singaporean artist is a light display that is meant to be seen by touch, offering an almost Braille-like experience of viewing by visitors. The piece is meant to spark dialogues and inspire new perceptions of cities and places people who see normally might take for granted.

Light art is just one of many different facets of the art world. Are you interested in exploring art more meaningfully by participating in it? Sign up today for an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website that organizes listings of art classes so you can browse through different lessons offered all in one convenient place. SGArtClass.com is sure to have an art class that will interest you and compliment your area of study.

For more on the light art festival, go to http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/03/07/singapores-light-art-festival-highlights-sustainability-zero-carbon-footprinting.htm.