National Gallery Singapore is adding a completely new dimension to several of its long-term and permanent exhibits — digital.
Now, any visitor who visits National Gallery Singapore can use either an app on their smartphone or an app on a table that staffers at the front desk can loan out free of charge to explore a response three Singaporean artists have developed as a part of a commission from the facility. The response deals with different aspects of the museum space and treats viewers to an entirely new experience based on the exhibits they’re already used to seeing.
The first of the commissions deals with a fascination with tigers. While many of the colonial visitors to Singapore were fascinated by the tigers, this artist was fascinated instead by the fascination of tigers. Viewable only in the sections of National Gallery Singapore that feature the colonial era tiger paintings, the digital facet of the exhibit features a number of videos exploring tigers and their various representations in art.
The second of the commissions actually appropriates aspects of all the different works of arts from all eras represented in National Gallery Singapore. The artist made a Twitter account and has been posting poetic representations of each artwork that moves him in the form of tweets. The artist claims he will continue posting the tweets for the rest of his life, which is especially apt since the digital exhibit itself is titled “Past, Lives (Singapore, 1819-2015).”
The third commission is another video work based on a historic Malay weaver. The artist who is producing the video series was inspired by the empty, physical spaces inside National Gallery Singapore, which is constructed of the historic city hall and supreme court buildings. While paintings were still being hung inside the exhibit space, the artist filmed videos inside the National Gallery Singapore space, which itself was still a work of art in progress.
Organizers with National Gallery Singapore want to dispel the notion that this was just something they just thought of. Plans for this digital outreach have been in the works for three years, while wings were being designed based on Southeast Asia art. It all goes to show that National Gallery Singapore continues to place importance on the interactivity of all of its exhibits, no matter what era they’re from or how long they’ll be displayed within the space.
Art is for everyone. If you’ve always wanted to bring more art in your life but weren’t sure how to start, your first stop should be SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website that makes it simple for potential art students to connect with their future art teachers. Whether you’re interested in taking a class on digital art, video art, word art, oil painting, or more, there is sure to be an art teacher with a class and curriculum that will ignite your creativity.
To read more about the digital outreach program at National Gallery Singapore, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/national-gallery-launches-digital-extension-to-long-term-exhibitions.