Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Singapore magazine project is a work of art

An Singapore art magazine launched in January has a mission: to teach kids about the internet in these trying technological times, all while doing its education in an engaging style.

That’s just one facet of the first issue of EYEYAH!, an eye-catching art magazine produced by counterculture stalwarts in Singapore. The organizers of the magazine are looking for a wider reach than just their print edition, which is only being produced in Singapore, for now. They are also contracting with artists — the goal is to have more than one thousand contributors — to produce multimedia content to engage with children who are increasingly spending more time online and on social media. The magazine’s organizers also have plans to inspire these children through meaningful art programming and events, drawing them away from the more toxic and time-consuming online content and teaching them how to stay safe and well informed on the internet.

The magazine contains lessons that schools have already embraced. Teachers and other educational officials have begun handing out printouts of some of the pages of the magazine in classrooms, especially since they do a good job to entertain and inform children about some aspects of the internet. One one colorful and richly illustrated two-page spread, children are encouraged to scour the insides of a computer, looking for cookies. What are cookies? The magazine spread provides that definition in a fun and accessible way: Cookies are little spies that help the internet see what you have been looking at when you browse online.

Another page in the magazine features an open call to artists of all ages. The project? A poster that illustrates and informs about some dangers of the internet. The magazine is offering T-shirts as prizes if the poster gets picked, as well as a chance to be featured in the next issue. The hand lettering and illustrations of the page layout are indicative of classic art magazine design, adding an air of originality while paying tribute to a lasting art genre.

A third page of the first issue features a number of illustrations about internet usage and other facts that children and others might not realize about being online. Some of them are cautionary, including one simple line drawing of a person studying a smartphone screen. It might be a common sight, people staring at their phones, but in this illustration, arms reach out from the screen and are in the process of strangling the viewer. In another illustration, a muscled, sweaty, hypnotized, drooling figure holds a smartphone in each hand while staring at a computer screen, commenting on an overabundance of screens. Another illustration features a girl turned into a zombie by a smartphone, while another drawing shows a monster receiving a chat message on a computer from a little girl.

Embrace more art in your life by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com today.

To learn more about EYEYAH! magazine, go to https://boingboing.net/2018/03/25/cool-new-art-project-magazine.html.

0 Autistic artists’ work on display in commuter trains

Not all masterpieces need traditional art galleries to be successfully displayed. That’s just one of the many lessons of the art on tap in several metro stations and one train in Singapore. The art that is part of this special show in transit comes from an educational program designed to help students on the autism spectrum thrive.

In one sketch plastered on the wall of a train, a realistic impression of an eye gazes out at commuters. Its artist said he was inspired to create the drawing because eyes act as windows to our deepest thoughts. However, too often, eyes are used to exact judgment on things and people they don’t necessarily understand — especially toward people who are differently abled from what is accepted as the cultural norm. That’s why there are a number of a graphics that include facts about autism that accompany the art.

In another display installed in the train, a mesmerizing group of dinosaurs in different shades of blue circle a safety pole on the floor. Normally, regular commuters don’t take notice of details like the floor of the train they are riding to get to work or back home again, but this installation could inspire them to look up from their smartphones to see the world around them.

The art in transit show is held in conjunction with efforts to raise awareness and understanding of autism in Singapore. In addition to the school for students on the spectrum, two transportation agencies have partnered up for the show and awareness efforts. In total, there are ten masterpieces on display. Their goals are to help push away some of the misunderstandings people might have about autism. The sheer talent of some of the artists would help do that all on their own even without the facts about autism posted in conjunction with the art. The young artists who are participating in the show say that it is an honor to be included, but the bigger honor is to have a highly visible gallery space to bring art to people who might not regularly seek it out. This makes the artists feel like they have already achieved normalcy through their artworks.

Art is truly for everyone no matter what your abilities might include. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet for a young child or a way to preserve dexterity and memory in retirees — or if you’re just looking for a way to relieve some of your working or studying stress — think about enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is one of the most convenient ways to browse an extensive listing of different art classes and easily sign up for them. Teachers with experience teaching students of all ages and abilities will be on hand to meet you with flexible times that adapt to your busy schedule.

To learn more about the artwork on display on trains, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/artwork-by-artists-with-autism-find-a-gallery-on-mrt-train-and-stations.

0 Architect of iconic Singapore buildings talks shop

Ole Scheeren, the architect of Singapore’s iconic Duo buildings, recently spoke with an interviewer about his creative process and approach when it came to architecture. The artistry in his buildings and thought that goes in to each and every project is evident. Scheeren is an architect who truly cares about making his work work for the communities it appears in.

The Duo towers in Singapore are works of art in themselves, but Scheeren said he wasn’t exactly looking to make art when he first struck out to complete the build. He had the concerns and needs of the community first and foremost in his mind. While the Duo towers are definitely beautiful, the buildings themselves curving over a sloping courtyard, all sleek glass and metal lattice, the design was mindful of what it needed to do. The Duo towers function as residences, workspaces, and a hotel for both business and tourism. If Scheeren had only wanted to shovel the project into the completed pile, he could’ve easily achieved it with a simple high rise building. Instead, he took the time to design purposefully. The curved towers create a bracket around a beautiful green space, bringing in breezes to cool down from hot temperatures. And the lattice serves a dual purpose — to both look visually striking and to keep direct sunlight out of the buildings’ windows, reducing energy costs. Scheeren even considered the ancient spiritual practice of feng shui in his design of the space, noting that poor feng shui was probably why the site was left empty for so long. His design moved to correct that balance of space, shifting the energy into something much more positive.

Singapore isn’t the only country who has been touched by Scheeren’s designs. A similar site in Beijing, China, required just as much finesse. An art museum between the ancient old city and the modern new city needed to fit in as much space as possible. However, the construction site had limited acreage. So Scheeren took advantage of all the space in design he could, all while being mindful of adhering to an aesthetic that would blend the old with the new. As a result, the art museum takes up residence in a thoughtful and interesting building, most of which is underground in order to pack in as much art as curators can.

With the kind of designs Scheeren makes, there is often pushback. In one project in Vancouver, in particular, critics have decried the architect’s modern work. He doesn’t let the often scathing remarks stop him, explaining that if his designs don’t cause controversy, he isn’t pushing himself hard enough.

Architecture is just one unexpected place people can find art — if they know how to look. Learn how to see even more art in your everyday life by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. Whether you’re interested in cityscape painting, portrait drawing, or something else, there is sure to be an art class for you.

Read more about Ole Scheeren’s work at http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/interiors-living/article/2141578/cctv-headquarters-architect-ole-scheeren-building.

0 Singapore’s National Museum to host new playground

Singapore’s National Museum will be the host of a new playground site. Singapore residents have a chance to offer public input on what they would most like to see at such a playground, including safety features, play equipment, and other attractions.

The playground could feature everything from climbing walls with instructors to audio experiences of sounds of nature. It could have traditional swings or nontraditional water play to help kids playing outside cool off in hotter weather. Whatever organizers and participants decide on, it will certainly have an iconic spot for children to expand their imagination: right by the giant banyan tree at the National Museum that is already the site of many different cultural events, including outdoor movie screenings.

The plans for the new playground coincide with a special museum exhibit on the history of playgrounds in Singapore, starting with the first playground constructed in the country around 1930. With the installation of swings, the site became an official playground. That doesn’t mean, however, that children in Singapore didn’t have anywhere to play.

Kids are talented at many different things, and finding somewhere to run around and play games with friends is one of them. Even though it is nice to have such designated places to play, particularly in urban areas, children will always find some way to exercise their creative imaginations. For one of the organizers of the historical playground exhibit, he recalls playing with strings and sticks, inventing games on roads, sidewalks, and in alleys — whatever space he and his friends could find. Children were encouraged to exercise and play outside, especially as tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases ran rampant.

As Singapore continued to develop, more and more land was set aside specifically for playgrounds. Housing development buildings began constructing their own playground areas, adding unique touches to designate the space specifically for that particular building. There was an art to that kind of design that the historical exhibit seeks to highlight and preserve.

Through the 1980s, more safety equipment and features were added to keep kids safe while playing, including soft rubber matting to cushion falls from climbing equipment. Newer designs of equipment also continued to pop up, ensuring that children would always have something to challenge their imagination.

Though the country’s newest playground at the National Museum has yet to be constructed, it will soon contribute to the storied tradition of playgrounds in Singapore.

Art can be a playground for your mind, inspiring your brain to come up with creative solutions for multiple problems. Go to SGArtClass.com today to find out all the ways art can benefit you in your busy life. Whether you’re interested in 3-D sculpture or recycled art, pointillism painting or oil painting, fashion drawing or comic drawing, there is sure to be an art class to pique your creative interest.

To read more about the playground in a historical context, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-more-we-get-together-first-in-depth-exhibition-on-singapore-playgrounds-opens-at.

0 History buffs can appreciate artifact digs at Singapore museum

A heritage festival in Singapore will surely pique the interest of archaeology buffs, particularly since one highlight includes an active dig site at the Singapore Art Museum.

Currently partially closed for renovations, the Singapore Art Museum has spearheaded an investigative dig on museum grounds to try and determine whether there are any historically significant artifacts just below the surface of the earth there. Recently, thousands of kilograms of important artifacts were unearthed at several other popular sites in Singapore.

The Singapore Art Museum property could be very historically significant, especially since the property lines are just outside of the boundaries of an ancient city in Singapore. If anything meaningful is excavated during the dig, the museum could be designated a historically important site. As it is, interested individuals can visit the active dig, watching archaeology in practice. A comprehensive exhibit will accompany the dig, ensuring that visitors have all the context and extra information they need to understand the significance of the exploration.

More recently than the ancient city, the location of the Singapore Art Museum was most recently used as land for Singapore’s first Catholic church. Officials said that it was more than possible they might turn up historically important artifacts from that era, as well, which could contribute to histories from the 1800s.

Currently, the Singapore Art Museum is undergoing extensive renovations. Discovering important artifacts on the grounds of the facility could determine extra steps that should be taken to further discovery and preservation of historically significant items, as well as delay renovations and other construction improvements.

The heritage festival is a wonderful opportunity for lovers of Singaporean history to get an in-depth look at the nation’s past. There will be a number of opportunities to view the active dig site at the Singapore Art Museum, chats with professional archaeologists, and tours of the museum’s already historic facilities. There has not been a revamp of the premises since the mid-1990s. All of this comes amid a push to discover more historical artifacts throughout Singapore, including a major dig taking place concurrently with the project at the Singapore Art Museum site.

Who knows what art and artifacts they might discover on the property of the Singapore Art Museum? To appreciate your own history in conjunction with art, consider browsing all the offerings of SGArtClass.com soon. SGArtClass.com is an informative website stuffed full of educational art articles, affordable art supplies, and loads of art classes you can sign up for easily and conveniently online. SGArtClass.com will put you in contact with highly capable art teachers who have experience teaching students of all ages and abilities. It doesn’t matter if this is your first or fiftieth art class. There is sure to be a particular lesson that will resonate with you, whether it’s 3-D sculpture, oil painting, portrait drawing, or another class.

To learn more about the archaeological digs at museum sites in Singapore, go to https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-heritage-festival-archaeology-related-activities-10098456.

0 Opinion: Street performers add needed culture in Singapore

In response to an opinion article written about the perceived need to regulate, control, and possibly end street buskers, another individual wrote an opinion article approaching the topic from another stance. For this opinion writer, busking, another name for street performances, is a wonderful and integral part of Singaporean culture and custom. People should embrace the beauty of this entertaining practice instead of decrying it.

For some buskers, performing for tips on the street is a welcome addition to their income. They perform for a number of reasons ranging from practice for their singing performances or instrumentals, stress relief from their job outside of the creative realm, or simply to have another income stream in addition to whatever they might get from their regular day jobs. Art has a proven track record of stress relief, so whatever form it comes in, it is healthy. These types of buskers can also benefit from a kind word of encouragement from passers-by. It might push them to continue to create, perform, practice, and develop new acts of art.

For others, busking is essential. Some people perform on the street as a sole income source to support their family. The tips they earn are much more than an added boost to their disposable, spendable money. Those tips can represent the only opportunity they have to keep up with rent, put food on the table, clothe themselves and their children, and stay on time with the bills. To take away street performances would deprive these individuals of a much-needed source of money.

Overall, Singapore is a highly urban nation. While officials try to incorporate nature and culture amid the high rises, the fact remains that skyscrapers and paved roads dominate the landscape. What is the harm to have buskers filling that space with music, laughter, performance, and much needed color? That’s the point of view this particular opinion writer encourages readers to have. When commuters are trudging off to their offices, buskers are there to sing or play a soundtrack to their lives. When tourists become lost amid the Singaporean streets, buskers are there to dole out advice, direction, and perhaps a musical break from the monotony of the journey. In this writer’s opinion, busking should be treated and respected like the genuine and valuable job that it is.

Welcome art into your life through SGArtClass.com. Learn about the different genres of art, shop for your next project’s art supplies through the discounted offerings on the site, and find your next art class all in the same place. Whether you’re interested in performance art or found art, 3-D sculpture or watercolor painting, figure drawing or pastel art, there will surely be a class to boost your creative passion. Classes can be taken individually or in a group — or even in the comfort of your own home.

To read the complete opinion piece, as well as the letter it criticized, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/buskers-bring-life-to-streets-of-singapore.

0 Singapore theater companies honored with awards

It shouldn’t be a surprise, or a secret, that Singapore is home to some highly talented actors, directors, and theater companies. A recent media awards ceremony marked the most gifted of all of the storied theater groups, celebrating a number of remarkable performances and organizations in Singapore.

The best production award went to the production of “Dragonflies,” a play that examined immigrants and climate change. With Singapore poised in an interesting position on both subjects, the production was particularly meaningful. The production also netted awards for best script and lighting. It will be shown again for both fans and people who missed the original production through May and June in celebration of the awards.

The theater group that staged “Dragonflies” went home with a fourth award in the form of a best supporting actress nod to the youngest winner ever in the history of the awards. The honor went to a 12-year-old girl for her role in a musical staged by the same company. In spite of the experience of the rest of the nominees in that category, the hard work of the young girl won her plenty of accolades beyond the media award.

The best director and ensemble awards went to a staging of an award-winning novel. The epic play’s director said he was most excited about the ensemble honor, saying that the actors who put on the play deserved the most recognition for their hard work.

The best actor award went to an actor who portrayed a troubled puppeteer. The best actress accolades went to an actress who portrayed a woman during WWII-era Singapore, particularly during the time of Japanese occupation. The actress said she was particularly proud of the work since she investigated the role herself, visiting sites key to the history of the country during that period of time.

A theater production that was based on the legend of female warrior Mulan, who was featured in a Disney animated film, was awarded an honor for best performance for children.

The awards show that Singapore’s theatrical arts scene continues to grow, mature, and improve. That is evident by the fact that three of the awards, which have been given for more than 15 years, went to newcomers to the theater scene. With new talent continuing to enrich the pool of existing theater professionals, it’s only natural to assume that theater in Singapore will continue to attract viewers and talent alike.

Theater art is just one of many performance art genres that might pique interest in art as a whole. It’s easy to discover what visual arts you might be most passionate about by a quick trip to SGArtClass.com. Browse the multitudes of classes SGArtClass.com offers, from portrait painting to caricature drawing and everything in between. There are even online-only classes for those too busy for traditional lessons.

To read more about the awards Singaporean theater companies netted, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/pangdemoniums-dragonflies-bags-four-awards-at-the-straits-times-life-theatre-awards.

0 Hilton Singapore embraces art of beautiful food

The restaurant at the luxury Hilton Singapore hotel has had plenty of coverage for its innovative and beautiful dishes that feature edible trends and locally sourced ingredients. Now, the restaurant is partnering with a visual artist to transfer delicious and healthy food from the plate to the canvas.

Thanks to the collaboration and a push for art programming, the Singaporean watercolor artist will be putting her botanical-themed pieces on display at a special exhibition at the Hilton Singapore. Her lush masterpieces are very nearly photo realistic, even though she uses ordinary watercolor paints. Rendered in exquisite detail, the artist represents a prickly pineapple, a creamy avocado already halved, the intricate folds of a red cabbage, a cross-section view of a meaty mushroom, fresh sprigs of rosemary and other herbs, a perfectly ripe banana, and other visions of produce, roots, and edible plants. Each painting looks worthy of being featured in a textbook on plant and fruit anatomy thanks to the artist’s sharp eye and attention to detail — as well as a talented paintbrush.

Running from April through June, the artist derived her inspiration from some of the actual ingredients that go into the dishes of the Hilton Singapore restaurant. The artist even requested that the head chef send some of the fresh ingredients to her so that she could use them as references in her paintings. The artist herself said she is currently attempting to embrace a more plant-based diet, making her lifestyle even healthier.

A portion of the profits from sales of artworks in the art exhibit will go toward an organization that distributes food for those in need. The artist will even host a workshop during the month of April that teaches participants how to create art using watercolor paints and other mediums. The workshop will include a personalized tour of the kitchen and garden area, as well as healthy snacks from the Hilton Singapore restaurant.

This isn’t the artist’s first show. She has a number of partnerships with many other entities in both Singapore and around the world. An artist by trade, she relies on her own rituals and practices to stay inspired and active. She also derived inspiration from the interesting shapes, sizes, and colors of the fruits and vegetables she painted for this show. She gets her ideas from nature and the library, and looks to incorporate more of her watercolor works into her future installations.

Watercolor painting is one of the best ways to delve into the art world if you’re not sure where to start. It’s simple and economical to begin creating your own watercolor paintings, and expert teachers leading classes through SGArtClass.com are on hand to help you develop the skills necessary to become proficient in watercolor art. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse a number of different art classes you can easily enroll in.

To learn more about the edible and visual art at the Hilton Singapore, go to https://saltmagazine.asia/features/of-flowers-and-food-edible-beauty-at-hilton-singapore/.

0 Comedian Margaret Cho to perform in Singapore

Searing popular comedian Margaret Cho is bringing her own brand of comedy to the stage in Singapore. No stranger to controversy, Cho is looking forward to visiting Singapore while refusing to shy away from topics that might make some people uncomfortable.

For a long time, part of Cho’s comedic platform has included frank talk about her own past, especially coping with her experience with sexual assault. Especially with the current cultural climate, which includes the #MeToo movement and the Time’s Up development, both seeking to expose and end sexual harassment and rape in show business, Cho’s topics are particularly timely. She says that with these social movements, it’s even easier to talk about her own topics, which had previously been rather taboo, especially for a comedy set.

That doesn’t mean they’re not funny. Even with the most serious of topics, Cho has had wonderful success with tackling whatever falls on her plate. The title of her traveling show, which takes her through Singapore, is a play on words that is usually a derogatory way to refer to recent immigrants. Cho enjoys turning a mirror around injustices like sexual assault and racism, using her comedy to both eviscerate and illuminate issues surrounding them.

Wherever she goes, Cho incorporates local bits of interest in her sets. While she’s in Southeast Asia, of course, she’s tackling topics of Asian issues, including race and immigration. Recently, Cho decried the whitewashing of Asian roles in movies, including the Marvel film “Doctor Strange,” which cast a white woman in the role of an Asian mentor. She says she’s particularly excited about an upcoming movie that features a rich lifestyle of Asians in Singapore.

This isn’t Cho’s first time in Singapore. The comedian says she’s most looking forward to the work of art she considers Singaporean food to be. The chicken and rice, in particular, is one of her very favorites. She says she’s even smuggled a plate of the cuisine out of the country, attempting to replicate the recipe in her own kitchen back at home in Los Angeles.

Cho even helped encourage fellow female comedian Kathy Griffin to be open, embracing her own vitriolic comedy ahead of a show in Singapore last year. Cho said she advised Griffin to be everything she usually is, but especially honest. Anywhere you go, even if there are censorship issues to consider, people generally appreciate honesty. And comedians in general usually get away with more than they might suspect.

Whether you’re interested in performance arts like comedy or theater, or visual arts like paintings and sculptures, SGArtClass.com will surely feature an art class that piques your creative passion. Visit SGArtClass.com at your earliest convenience to browse a wealth of informative art articles, cheap art supplies, and art classes offered by talented and experienced teachers. You will unearth your artistic passion once your enroll in an art class you’re interested in.

To read more about Cho’s comedy, go to http://www.tnp.sg/entertainment/tv/margaret-cho-back-spore-find-comedy-racism-and-sexuality.

0 Singapore museum showcasing art from ancient site

The Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore is the best bet to view artwork from the ancient civilization at Angkor Wat for both history buffs and fans of art in an exhibition that is not to be missed.

Available to view through summer, this show features memorable examples of art and architecture from an ancient society that usually isn’t viewable unless a person goes to view it in the ruins in Cambodia. The exhibit has an added cultural dimension that explores the French push to preserve some of the art. France has been criticized for its colonial influences on Cambodia and other countries in the Southeast Asia region, but some proponents say that more art and culture would have been lost to the erosion of time without French input. Because of French interests, much art was properly preserved so that future generations around the globe could be able to appreciate the works, as well.

Another interesting component of this art show will include items from 1930s France, ashtrays and other ephemera among them. During this period of time, and because of colonial interests, officials in France commissioned a life-sized tower from Angkor Wat to be constructed in the biggest park in Paris. Showing these items in the context of the Angkor Wat ancient art adds a dimension of historical context to the preservation of the ancient masterpieces.

Some examples of the Khmer art that will be on display at the exhibition include graceful sculptures of individuals that feature period wardrobes and ways of fashion, as well as elephants bedecked in ornaments and harnesses, highlighting a mode of possible transportation. Another statue features a many-faced deity, seated and offering gestures of benediction. The exhibit highlights exquisite examples of 3-D sculpture set in the context of history and culture, ensuring that visitors to the show will be able to fully appreciate the intricate and detailed art, some of which dates back to the ninth century.

Further items of interest as a part of this exhibition include sketches and rubbings from explorers that offer an unparalleled glimpse into Angkor Wat whole decades ago, along with some of the first photos to be taken of the ancient site. Many of the items have since been lost to time, so they function as a sort of time capsule, or a way to go back in history and experience the majesty of the artworks that once were.

One intriguing story rotating among the current exhibit is the fact that one female body was lacking a head. When this show came to the museum, the curator noticed a lone female head and wondered if it might fit with the headless body. He tried to fit it but was unable to muster the strength to lift it completely. However, with a sudden click, the head settled itself into its lost body.

Enroll in an art class today via SGArtClass.com.

To read more about the art on display from Angkor Wat, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/art-from-angkor-wat-at-asian-civilisations-museum.