The Singapore Biennale returns for its fifth edition, set to the theme of ‘An Atlas of Mirrors’. Featuring 63 artists and art collectives from 19 countries across the region, the four-month festival is curated around nine sub-themes and spread out across eight venues, including the National Museum of Singpore, the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).
Overwhelmed by the numbers? No worries. First off, let us break down the activities going on over the Biennale’s opening weekend, so you know where to go and what to do.
Artist Performances
Chia Chuyia
Oct 27-30, noon-6.30pm at SAM at 8Q Glass Box
In her performance piece titled Knitting the Future, Chia sits behind a glass window and knits a body-length garment made out of leeks. It’s slow-moving, but rather mesmerising.
Sakarin Krue-On
Oct 27, 6pm-6.30pm at Singapore Management University, De Suantio Gallery
The Thai artist presents Kra-Tua Taeng Seua, a traditional folktale about a tiger hunt, reimagined in collaboration with the Wat Khuha Sawan Folk Play Company. The work consists of three elements — a live performance, a silent film and a behind-the-scenes documentary.
Niranjan Rajah
Oct 28, 6pm-6.45pm at SAM at 8Q
Made out of three components, this installation features two chromogenic prints (‘SUPERSTAR’ and ‘PujaanKu’), 12 light boxes with images of the artist’s activities in a series titled Koboi Balik Lagi (The ‘Koboi’ Returns Again), and several performances by the artist (or his accomplice) that include peeling, slicing and serving a mango to the audience while talking about a Hindu myth.
Azizan Paiman
Oct 29-30, 10am-11.30am, 1pm-2.30pm, 4pm-5.30pm at SAM at 8Q Plaza
This steel structure houses the Putar Alam Cafe (‘putar alam’ means charlatan in Malay), an interactive space filled with the artist’s recent works, a transistor radio and a TV broadcasting a news channel. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by the artist, who acts as the ‘bartender’ and ‘mediator’ to serve food and drinks, as well as strike up conversations with customers about their surroundings.
Jack Tan
Oct 29, 2pm-2.20pm, 3pm-3.20pm, 4pm-4.20pm at Chamber, The Arts House, Level 2
After attending court proceedings and listening to the soundscape of the courts, the artist documented what he heard as drawings, then turned them into graphic scores. These have been interpreted and sung by the Anglo-Chinese Junior College Alumni Choir.
Rathin Barman
Oct 29, 5pm-6pm at SAM at 8Q
This work of welded mild steel bars emerged from the time Indian artist Barman spent in Singapore chronicling the conversations and poetry of Bangladeshi migrant workers. It’s like an exploration of the parallel realities of the labourers’ experience.
Tours and activities
Singapore Biennale x The Local People Art Market
Oct 30, 11am-6pm at SAM
This art-themed market features a range of locally-crafted merch and artisanal food and drinks for you to splurge on.
Artist and Curator Tours
Oct 27, 7pm-8.15pm, 8.30-9.45pm at SAM
If you’re keen on delving deeper into the artworks featured at the Biennale, sign up for these tours ($15/person), where you’ll get to meet the artists and hear about their practices.
Artist Insights
Oct 27 & 28, 11am-5pm, Oct 29, 2pm-5pm at various locations
Wanna be one of the first people to view the Biennale artworks? Join the artists as they discuss the processes behind their works in a series of talks.
muse @ SAM
Oct 28, 7pm-11.30pm at SAM Courtyard
Spend your Friday night grooving to the tune of local acts as they take the stage for an evening of free performances.
Singapore Biennale 2016 Celebrates Deepavali
Oct 29, 11am-6pm at various locations
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with family-friendly activities at the Biennale. All are welcome — it’s free when you get the Biennale admission.
The Singapore Biennale 2016 runs from now till Feb 26, 2017, at various locations. Adults $15-$20; students, senior citizens and NSFs $7.50-$10.
