By Pichayada Promchertchoo, Channel NewsAsia, 6 May 2015
VENICE: The Singapore Pavilion at the the 56th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition was officially opened on Wednesday (May 6) by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sam Tan.
VENICE: The Singapore Pavilion at the the 56th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition was officially opened on Wednesday (May 6) by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sam Tan.
The inauguration marks the first time Singapore's national pavilion is housed within the historic Arsenale on a 20-year lease. The Arsenale - a former military complex and shipyard - is one of two main sites for the exhibition.
"Singapore has a rich pool of artistic talent and we want to be able to always identify and create opportunities for them to showcase their works," said Mr Tan.
"Singapore has a rich pool of artistic talent and we want to be able to always identify and create opportunities for them to showcase their works," said Mr Tan.
"The long-term lease of the Singapore Pavilion at the Biennale further underscores our commitment to our artists, who will fly the Singapore flag on the global stage."
Representing Singapore this year is artist and former Olympic sailor Charles Lim, who unveiled his installation SEA STATE in a 250-square-metre space inside the Sale d'Armi building, set against a stunning view of the Venetian Lagoon.
"It's an excellent opportunity for our artists to think about this space that they can play with and then be plugged into the exciting world of the Venice Biennale," said Mr Paul Tan, Deputy Chief Executive of Singapore's National Arts Council.
Wednesday will also see several other countries from the Asia-Pacific region raise the curtain on their pavilions, including Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
On Saturday, the installations will be open to the public and visitors can take part in a discussion titled The Geopolitical and the Biophysical: A Structured Conversation on Art and Southeast Asia. Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India and Pakistan will be in the spotlight.
On Saturday, the installations will be open to the public and visitors can take part in a discussion titled The Geopolitical and the Biophysical: A Structured Conversation on Art and Southeast Asia. Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India and Pakistan will be in the spotlight.
Twelve speakers - including Guggenheim Museum curator Thomas J Berghuis, Indonesian artist Heri Dono, and Director of National Gallery Singapore Dr Eugene Tan - will discuss the possibilities as well as uncertainties faced by societies in Southeast Asia and beyond.
After the Biennale's conclusion on Nov 22, Mr Lim's installation will be shipped back home for display at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore next year, giving Singaporeans a chance to savour the SEA STATE, making waves abroad.
Singapore returns to Venice Biennale as 'SEA STATE'
After a brief hiatus in 2013, Singapore returns to to the world's leading contemporary art exhibition, the Venice Biennale with a presentation by artist Charles Lim.
By Pichayada Promchertchoo, Channel NewsAsia, 5 May 2015
After a brief hiatus in 2013, Singapore returns to to the world's leading contemporary art exhibition, the Venice Biennale with a presentation by artist Charles Lim.
By Pichayada Promchertchoo, Channel NewsAsia, 5 May 2015
VENICE: Singapore will make an official comeback to one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art scenes, la Biennale di Venezia, or the Venice Biennale, on Wednesday (May 6). The international art exhibition raises its curtain every two years in the Italian city.
This is the seventh time Singapore is taking part. It will be represented by one of its most prominent artists Charles Lim. The former Olympic sailor has spent the past decade examining the inseparable relationship between the island nation and the sea cradling it. The 42-year-old Singaporean's multi-faceted project is called SEA STATE.
"The importance about the Venice Biennale is that it allows - I wouldn't even say Singaporean artists - but artists who are dealing with the condition of the space we come from. It allows us to present our questions in a way that we want to actually in this platform," Mr Lim told Channel NewsAsia.
The installation uses audio and visual elements to draw the border of the island state, while exposing the real depths of the sea and challenges it poses.
"The installation will take you underground, take you into the sea, take you above the sea; will give you a fresh perspective on Singapore's space, the sovereign state, the island state through really hi-tech audio-visual technology, and really spectacular visuals," said Mr Paul Tan, Deputy Chief Executive of Singapore's National Arts Council, who commissioned this year's presentation.
SEA STATE will claim a spot on the world map of contemporary arts when the Singapore Pavilion is launched by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sam Tan on Wednesday. He will be joined by representatives from the National Arts Council and the National Gallery of Singapore.
Singapore is making a comeback at the #VeniceBiennale (La Biennale di Venezia) when it officially opens today, and local artist Charles Lim’s project, SEA STATE, is set to make a splash. Channel NewsAsia’s Pichayada Promchertchoo reports. http://cna.asia/1GYkXDa
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
SINGAPORE RETURNS WITH A BANG
Established in April 19, 1893 by the Venetian City Council, the Venice Biennale would not have taken place two years later without then-Mayor of Venice Riccardo Selvatico, who wished to transform the artists' evening rendezvous at Caffè Florian into a prestigious international art exhibition showcasing works of leading artists from Italy and beyond.
His endeavour finally turned into a great success in 1895, when the first edition recorded more than 200,000 visitors - among them King and Queen of Savoy. It was in part, thanks to the special return train tickets which included entrance to the event. Well over a century later, the Venice Biennale has attracted scores of talented virtuosos from across the world who wished to launch themselves into the international contemporary arts circle.
His endeavour finally turned into a great success in 1895, when the first edition recorded more than 200,000 visitors - among them King and Queen of Savoy. It was in part, thanks to the special return train tickets which included entrance to the event. Well over a century later, the Venice Biennale has attracted scores of talented virtuosos from across the world who wished to launch themselves into the international contemporary arts circle.
Singapore first took part in the biennial exhibition in 2001, but took a break in 2013, to the disappointment of arts practitioners at home.
"We took a break to reassess, to see the importance and the relevance of the Venice Biennale as a platform," explained Mr Tan.
"We have concluded that yes, it still remains a pinnacle platform, very critical for Singapore to be plugged into the larger conversation about contemporary art today. So, we decided after the review to return and then we said we are going to return with a bang."
ALL THE WORLD'S FUTURES
The likes of the Philippines, Ecuador and Guatemala are returning after decades of absence at the Venice Biennale as well. Altogether, 136 artists from 53 countries will showcase their works - 89 of whom are making their debut at the event.
Curated by Okwui Enwezor, the 2015 edition carries the theme of All the World's Futures.
"Over the course of the last two centuries, the radical changes have made new and fascinating ideas subject matter for artists, writers, filmmakers, performers, composers, musicians. It is with this recognition that the 56th International Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia proposes All the World's Futures - a project devoted to a fresh appraisal of the relationship of art and artists to the current state of things," Mr Enwezor said.
Besides the national representatives, the Venice Biennale has also attracted aspiring artists such as Ms Erika Tan - a UK-based Singaporean lecturer in Fine Art at the Central Saint Martins College of Art, University of the Arts in London.
"I was shortlisted as an artist to present work in the Singapore Pavilion, so in many ways, I'll also be going and imagining my work in the space and probably feeling thankful that I can enjoy the experience without the pressure and stress of actually showing work," Ms Tan told Channel NewsAsia.
She added that she is familiar with Mr Lim's work. "I have over the years seen various elements of his ambitious overarching SEA STATE project, and am really looking forward to seeing him bring this work together ... in a context which allows the work to reach the kind of potential that events like this can provide."
The Biennale is open to the public from Saturday, and will run till Nov 22. It will also featuring a new interactive space called ARENA, where visitors can enjoy live programming against the historical backdrop of the Central Pavilion inside the Giardini, where the Venice Biennale was brought to life 120 years ago.