Mark your calendars for Art Stage Singapore and here’s a look at what to expect
Mark your calendars for Southeast Asia’s annual celebration of art this coming January.
Since its inception in 2011, Art Stage Singapore has persisted in its dedication of bringing together art communities from around the region, while showcasing the best Asian contemporary pieces and projects. The ninth edition of Art Stage Singapore will be no different. It will be held over the weekend of 25 – 27 January 2019 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, its home ground for the past eight years.
With 2019’s theme of ‘I AM ART. Art reflects life. Life is mine, yours, ours.,’ Art Stage Singapore shifts its main focus back to local artists and personalized experiences after highlighting Thailand’s art scene last year. Visitors will be greeted by this from the start of the gallery exhibitions, thanks to an interactive installation from Singaporean visual artist Mr. Urich Lau that features surveillance camera footage at the entrance. This such co-commissioned project is just one of many that will be on display at the fair.
Art Stage Singapore’s chief operating officer Mr. Marcus Teo emphasises the event’s return to its roots for the upcoming showcase. He shares, “ART STAGE Singapore’s mission was always to support and matchmake the Southeast Asian art scenes and to position Singapore as the region’s internationally recognized art hub. On embarking on a new direction this year, the 2019 Fair will engage with the diverse visions of artists, galleries, collectors and curators on an unprecedented level through the introduction of the four fair sections.”
The four main sections for Art Stage Singapore 2019 will include the Main Stage, Project Stage – AB : UI, Singapore Stage, and Collectors’ Stage. While the Main Stage will feature both new and returning curations from gallery exhibitors such as Richard Koh Fine Art and Tang Contemporary, the Singapore Stage is where local artists’ works get to truly shine. Additionally, it will mark the longawaited return of a 15m long mural painting from Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul titled Navinland Needs You: We Are Asia! – which was first showcased at the 2012 edition of Art Stage Singapore to much fanfare.
Upcoming galleries and independent art spaces, such as CODA CULTURE and Jeremy Hiah’s Your MOTHER Gallery, will also get a chance to premiere new works at the Project Stage. A subsection, Art Binary : User Interface, is also being introduced to shed light on the growing importance of new media and experimental art. These additions will present new experiences for visitors, and is set to pave the way for budding artists in future Art Stage editions.
Those looking to marvel at art collectors’ most prized possessions can make a beeline for the Collectors’ Stage. Here, 20 of the top collectors from Singapore and Southeast Asia will place their various art pieces acquired over the years on display, for their first public viewing ever. Each artist’s exhibits also promise to feature their collection’s individualistic style and rarity. One of the participants, Mr Hady Ang, shares what this showcase means for both collectors like himself, as well as for viewers. He elaborates, “Collecting art is like reading a book of life. As we turn the pages, history reveals itself and the socio-economic-political fabric of a nation unfolds. Art captures that fabric of a nation. As collectors, we share the many lessons in life, the joys and the pains, so that we can be better fellow citizens and build bridges. Art Stage Singapore has provided a platform for collectors to share their personal journey and the opportunity to share this concept by John Keats –‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’,”. A full list of exhibiting collectors will be available on their official website.
Art enthusiasts can also keep a lookout for other exciting activities over the weekend, from discussions led by guest speakers to open conversations with key opinion leaders. Those interested in a guided tour can also have the option of joining one in English or Mandarin.
Ultimately, Mr Marcus Teo hopes that Art Stage Singapore 2019 is just the start of greater things to come beyond 2019, with plans to continue bringing Southeast Asian art to the forefront, while giving back to the Singapore art scene.
Early bird tickets from S$24 are now available until 29 December 2018, before standard tickets from S$30 go on sale until the exhibition’s final day. Full-time students, NSFs and Senior Citizens enjoy discounted, concession tickets.
Visit Art Stage Singapore 2019 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre Level B2, Halls D-F from 25 to 27 January 2019. More information on www.artstage.com/singapore/site/home