Though Singapore might have arrived a little late to the party of hosting art biennales, its signature event, which takes place once every two years, has brought a lot to the table in the creative world. Thought it began as a place to showcase artists in the country, the Singapore Biennale has since expanded to be an incredible look at art across the Southeast Asian region. This makes sense, especially with how the nation is physically positioned in the center of the area.
As with many other events, preparing for the Singapore Biennale — and executing the four-month showcase without a hitch — takes a lot of work from a lot of people. The organizers and curators of the biennale must sift through art that often is fraught with political and cultural implications. While Singapore has come a long way itself in terms of art and expression, curators must tread carefully when it comes to truly controversial works. With creative freedom laws and censorship regulations differing from nation to nation in the region, curators work to foster an art experience that will make visitors think and engage in respectful and important dialogues while understanding that not all art is appropriate for all ages. Therefore, curators must issue warnings amid different portions of the exhibit so that parents can understand how best to navigate the display.
While many people laud the Singapore Biennale for its regional focus, some critics wish the event would bring in artists from around the entire world. Showcasing works from a wider community would help to bring in new creative ideas, they argue, which would in turn benefit artists in Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. As the event continues to grow and develop every two years, it might benefit organizers to be more flexible and experimental when thinking about display spaces and curation. One good thing about the first Singapore Biennale only being in 2006 is that the art show isn’t yet ingrained and bogged down by tradition. As different curators and institutions take up the mantle of future biennales, they will be free to leave their own mark, reshaping the celebration to reflect the changing times.
Celebrate the upcoming Singapore Biennale by enrolling in an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to see a broad offering of all the various art classes available, such as watercolor painting, jewelry making, fashion design art, and many more. You are sure to find an art class that ignites your curiosity and creative passion. It doesn’t matter if you’re an accomplished artist or someone who has never even held a paint brush before. Teachers with artistic backgrounds and plenty of experience will be on hand to lead you on your artistic journey, developing curriculum and projects that suit your various creative interests.
To read more about the development and journey of the Singapore Biennale, go to http://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2039876/singapore-biennale-has-come-long-way-focusing-close-home.
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