SIFA 2023: An Interview with Thanapol Virulhakul, director of ‘INTERMISSION’

In INTERMISSION, traditional Thai music and contemporary dance practice intertwine to examine the body as a political site and the sociopolitical power of dance. Stuck in the state-enforced past and unable to see the future of his own country, choreographer Thanapol Virulhakul proposes Thai postmodern dance as a method to navigate Thailand’s socio-political power structure that infiltrates all areas of a citizen’s life. A single … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Thanapol Virulhakul, director of ‘INTERMISSION’

★★★★★ Review: £¥€$ (LIES) by Ontroerend Goed (SIFA 2023)

Money makes the world go round…or does it? Making a name for themselves with their innovative immersive and participatory performances, Belgium-based theatre company Ontroerend Goed arrives in Singapore to present a game-like theatrical experience – £¥€$ (LIES). As its title suggests, £¥€$ (LIES) is all about money, where audience members become members of the super rich in control of the global economy, where the world … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: £¥€$ (LIES) by Ontroerend Goed (SIFA 2023)

★★★★★ Review: Lolling and Rolling by Jaha Koo (SIFA 2023)

Haunted by the spectre of cultural imperialism and linguistic violence. In the modern world, where the West has long been seen as the cultural capital, English remains the primary language of communication, seen as a necessity if one is to succeed. For many Asian countries, this has manifested in making it the lingua franca, to the extent that it becomes a source of pride and … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Lolling and Rolling by Jaha Koo (SIFA 2023)

★★★★★ Review: Cuckoo by Jaha Koo (SIFA 2023)

Talking rice cookers tell of the death and despair in high pressure Korean society. In Jaha Koo’s Cuckoo, one of the main selling points is the Cuckoo-brand rice cookers in the show, programmed to speak and sing on command. But don’t let the quirky gimmick fool you into thinking this is a cute show about talking cooking appliances. The truth is, Cuckoo is a pitch … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Cuckoo by Jaha Koo (SIFA 2023)

★★★★☆ Review: BLKDOG by Botis Seva (SIFA 2023)

Intense, high energy production depicting the brutalities of the world cruel world children grow up in. There’s the old saying that ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do’. But shouldn’t we at least try to ensure that the world is in a better place for the next generation, precisely because we don’t want them to suffer in the same way we did? Choreographer Botis Seva … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: BLKDOG by Botis Seva (SIFA 2023)

Art What!: National Gallery Singapore’s Gallery Children’s Biennale 2023 – Let’s Make a Better Place Together

The highly anticipated Children’s Biennale by National Gallery Singapore is returning for its 4th edition. From 27 May 2023 to 31 March 2024, visitors can explore 11 new artworks by international artists that spotlight four core values: Care, Collaborate, Imagine and Respect for free. Set to spark conversations around the pressing issues of today, the Biennale uses questions such as “what kind of world do … Continue reading Art What!: National Gallery Singapore’s Gallery Children’s Biennale 2023 – Let’s Make a Better Place Together

Art What!: Shilpa Gupta’s ‘Untitled’ at National Gallery Singapore’s Ng Teng Fong Rooftop Garden

National Gallery Singapore has launched renowned artist Shilpa Gupta’s latest artwork, Untitled as part of the Gallery’s annual Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission Series. The thought-provoking installation pushes the boundaries of art, exploring themes of physicality, perception, and the complexities of human existence. Gupta’s Untitled delves into the intriguing contradictions inherent in human behaviour, inviting us to question and reflect on the complexities of … Continue reading Art What!: Shilpa Gupta’s ‘Untitled’ at National Gallery Singapore’s Ng Teng Fong Rooftop Garden

Museum Musings: Sensory Odyssey – Into the Heart of Our Living World at the ArtScience Museum

Nature takes centre stage at a new exhibition making its Asian premiere at ArtScience Museum on 27th May. Under the cover of darkness where the scent of dry earth and moisture permeates the air, the growl of a lion, the grunts of a baboon and the rustling of grass break the silence, welcoming explorers to the African Savannah. A multi-sensory expedition through this habitat and … Continue reading Museum Musings: Sensory Odyssey – Into the Heart of Our Living World at the ArtScience Museum

Preview: George Town Festival 2023

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG – The annual George Town Festival (GTF) returns from 15th to 30th July 2023, promising a spectacular celebration of art, culture, and heritage for all to experience. The 16-day festival presents a myriad of outstanding artistic works by Malaysian and international artists, featuring productions across varied art forms ranging from traditional, contemporary, experimental, and multidisciplinary. This makes George Town Festival 2023 the … Continue reading Preview: George Town Festival 2023

Music Is: An Interview with Singapore Symphony Group CEO Kenneth Kwok

Coming in as the newly minted CEO of the national orchestra was never going to be an easy task, especially when you’re taking over the reins from a predecessor who’s served in the role for eleven years. But for Kenneth Kwok, who became the CEO of the Singapore Symphony Group last December, he’s brought a can-do spirit, an ever-positive attitude, and put in the effort … Continue reading Music Is: An Interview with Singapore Symphony Group CEO Kenneth Kwok