contents
02 01 Director’s Message Singapore Writers Festival Fringe: Once Upon A Time 02 Featured
12 literary arts
23 Festival
25 Film
30 MUSIC
35 theatre
37 Visual arts 32 06 living with Hansel JARED CHAN and Gretel 40 Event Listings (헨젤과그레텔)
42 Shop & Dine at The Arts House
43 The Arts House Box office 16 WORLD VOICES FEATURING 44 our spaces RYAN VAN WINKLE
45 About The Arts House
14 RASHOMON
The information is accurate at the time of print and changes could have been made since then. For updates, please visit our website at www.theartshouse.com.sg
Director’s Message
My favourite fairy tale is The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson (Note: Not the Disney version). There is something so perverse about the little mermaid’s single-minded quest for love, which puts her through so much pain and suffering, that self-sacrifice seems like the only logical end.
Therein lies the paradoxical appeal of fairy tales: They pull you in with the promise of happy-ever-after, but they also make your stomachs churn with horrific tales of cruelty and death. Philip Pullman’s recent retelling, Fairy Tales From The Brothers Grimm, is a case in point. It is a testament to the everlasting power of tales like Cinderella that self-mutilation is readily accepted as a way towards wish fulfillment (trying to fit into the slipper).
The Singapore Writers Festival Fringe at The Arts House (page 2 – 7) this year attempts to untangle the complexity of fairy tales and folklore. Noted writers from all over the world as well as Singapore will gather here this November (1-10 Nov) as we turn the House into a site of enchantment and nightmare. From talks and panel discussions to film screenings, performance of macabre Southeast Asian myths and immersive installation art, the world of Once Upon A Time at The Arts House eagerly awaits you!
In October, we also pay tribute to the art of short form writing (We Love Shorts, page 13). Singapore is slowly becoming the hub of short stories, if the number of short story publications that come out every year is anything to go by. Short can be sweet, but also profound and provocative, as embodied by the works of the great writer Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, popularly known as the “Father of Japanese short story” (page 14 – 15). Furthermore, we are launching a new creative writing programme for the silver hair community, Silver Writing (page 10). Senior citizens will learn creative writing and storytelling skills through this course, and their original stories will then be showcased here. It will be a time to let their imagination run wild!
See you at The Arts House!
William Phuan Director, The Arts House featured \ fringe Singapore Writers Festival Fringe: Once Upon A Time
organised by This year’s Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) Fringe transports us to The Arts House the world of fairy tales and folklore. It is an enchanting world that is also filled with gore and death. Fantastical beings, monsters and Living Room, Chamber, spirits inhabit this realm, where the young constantly find themselves Screening Room in a state of peril and abandonment. Join the Fringe writers at The Arts House as they recount supernatural tales and discuss if happily- 2 – 6 Nov, 7.30pm ever-after is always guaranteed.
Admission by SWF Festival Pass PANEL DISCUSSIONS Meet the Author: Catherine Breillat Screening Room \ 2 Nov, 6.00pm Moderator: JF Danis
Provocative. Controversial. Fearless. Meet the writer and director who bravely blurs the lines between the tantalising and the obscene, the honest and the brutal, as evidenced by her adaptations of the two classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty and Bluebeard. Expect a no- holds-barred discussion filled with rare insights into the workings of a leading thinker and artist.
45\2 featured \ fringe Meet the Author: Terri Windling Enchantment, nationalism and fantasy: Where fairy tales come from Living Room \ 2 Nov, 7.30pm \ Moderator: Jasmine Ann Cooray
From the Brothers Grimm to Hans Christian Andersen, fairy tales trace their origins to oral traditions and can be seen as a nationalistic attempt to preserve its folklore. Yet as they get captured in the written form, their narratives also change, and even get influenced by tales from other cultures. Fairy tales expert and writer Terri Windling takes us through the fascinating history of how fairy tales developed and came to their present form. Misogyny in fairy tales? Stepmothers get a bad rap Living Room \ 3 Nov, 7.30pm \ Moderator: Joel Gwynne \ Panellists: Catherine Breillat, Terri Windling
Often, female characters in fairy tales are either damsels in distress to be rescued by brave princes, or villainous stepmothers who stop at nothing to destroy their rivals. A case of gender discrimination, or the Oedipus complex at work? However, modern retelling of fairy tales in books or films allows a feminist revisioning. The panel takes on these tales through a gendered lens. Blood, gore and violence: The dark side of fairy tales Living Room \ 4 Nov, 7.30pm Moderator: Philip Tatham \ Panellists: Catherine Breillat, Karsono H Saputra, Paolo Chikiamco
In his influential book, The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales (1976), American psychologist Bruno Bettelheim uses Freudian psychology to argue that dark themes, like death, abandonment and bodily harm, are actually good for children, helping them cope with their fears. Yet, can fairy tales be "too dark" and gratuitous, without any purpose as justification? Reinvention and adaptation: Tales for the modern age Living Room \ 5 Nov, 7.30pm Moderator: Dr Myra Bacsal \ Panellists: Cyril Wong, Daphne Lee, Karsono H Saputra
Are the fairy tales and folk lore of yesterday too simplistic or even didactic in this morally complex world today? Many books and films have attempted to reinterpret or adapt these stories for the modern age, giving them a postmodernist inflection or introducing shades of grey. The panel weighs in on the constant urge to update our best-loved tales and surveys the results.
DEBATE Happily ever after: Fairy tales screw us up Chamber \ 6 Nov, 7.30pm
It usually ends with the prince and princess living happily ever after (or some variation to that end). However, life doesn’t often turn out that way. Do fairy tales skew our view of the world, and paint a picture too rose-tinted for our own good? Do they still have a role to play in our world today? Two teams of writers debate on whether fairy tales, in fact, mess with your minds, damaging you forever.
3\45 featured \ fringe DARKNESS AND LIGHT: TALES FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA Play Den \ 7 – 9 Nov, 8pm \ Post-show dialogue with performers: 8 Nov
Performed by: BronzAge Gamelan Ensemble and guest artists from Indonesia, Wahyu Roche, Dedi Rachmatt and Mas Jarwo. Adapted by: Yong Shu Hoong Storyteller: Rosemarie Somaiah Artistic Director: Joyce Teo
This performance is in English and Bahasa Indonesia Suitable for mature audiences 18 years and above
Three magical and macabre tales from Southeast Asia will mesmerise you in a night of music and storytelling. The Legend of Sang Kuriang, Putri Gunung Ledang and the tale of Bukit Merah will be performed by noted storytellers from Indonesia and Singapore with original gamelan music performed by BronzAge Gamelan Ensemble. These timeless tales will be told with their original intent to weave lessons of morality with threads of violence, incest, bestiality and bloodshed.
INTRUSION The Arts House Print Gallery & Box Office Foyer 26 Oct – 15 Nov, 10am – 10pm Free admission
Let artists Julie Heather Liew and Catherine Oslo take you away into a world where everything is not what it seems in the realm of fairy tales and folklore; there are always two sides to the coin. Intrusion features seven installations where viewers are invited to interact with the space and document their experiences. These installations are meant to incite audience participation and, in the process, challenge the preconceived notion that artwork cannot be touched but only gazed upon. Rekindling child-like curiosity, visitors get to venture out of their personal space to intrude on the exhibition space.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN SINGAPORE ...
Earshot Cafe \ 3 Nov, 4pm Free admission
The winning entries from our Open Call, which invited people to submit adaptations of their favourite fairy or folk tales in Singaporean context, will be performed by storytellers from the Storytelling Association of Singapore at Earshot café. Come hear your favourite tales flipped upon their heads – like Snow White biting on durian instead of apple, or Hansel and Gretel following a trail of mooncake crumbs to Sentosa!
45\4 featured \ fringe FILM SINGApore writers festival FRINGE FILMS Fringe Films explore the various film adaptations of fairy tales, delving in the dark and macabre themes behind bedtime stories we read when we were children.
With support from David Lee, Vice Chairman, Singapore Film Society. Screening Room \ 2 – 6 Nov
Bluebeard (Barbe Bleue) 2 Nov, 3.00pm Director/Writer: Catherine Breillat Cast: Dominique Thomas, Lola Créton, Daphné Baiwir 2009 \ France \ 80min \ In French with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
In mid-1950s France, a girl named Catherine enjoys scaring her older sister Marie-Anne with the tale of the murderous and oft-married Bluebeard. Viewers are then whisked back to the late 1600s, when Lord Bluebeard realises that his seventh wife Marie-Catherine has uncovered his terrible secret. As Bluebeard gets caught up in a cycle of events, he is delayed from following through with his intention to murder his young wife… until the table starts to turn on him.
The Sleeping Beauty (La Belle Endormie) 2 Nov, 7.30pm Director/Writer: Catherine Breillat Cast: Carla Besnaïnou, Julia Artamonov, Kerian Mayan 2010 \ France \ 82min \ In French with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Meet a little girl who dreams of being a boy. And a boy who wishes to be seduced by an Ice Queen. High fantasy and tangled sexuality dovetail in this fantastical adaptation of the popular folklore that has, in the past, been retold by the likes of Brothers Grimm and Alfred Lord Tennyson. Be warned: This version, reimagined by the fertile mind of French provocateur, Catherine Breillat, differs sharply from the well- known Disney animated feature.
Meet Catherine Breillat who will discuss her work and films on 2 Nov, 6pm in the Screening Room.
5\45 featured \ fringe A Wicked Tale 3 Nov, 6pm Director/Writer: Tzang Merwyn Tong Cast: Evelyn Maria Ng, Johan Ydstrand, Wolf Danker 2005 \ Singapore \ 45min \ NC16
Film introduction by writer and director Tzang Merwyn Tong.
A Wicked Tale is a psycho-erotic re-imagination of the Little Red Riding Hood fable, told through a series of uncanny and surreal montages. It relates a little girl's bizarre fascination for the forbidden and deals with the theme of seduction and manipulation. This experimental thriller made its world premiere to a full house crowd at the 34th International Film Festival Rotterdam; became a surprise hit at the 9th Montreal FanTasia Film Festival; and won the Gold Remi Award (Fantasy/Horror Category) at the 44th Houston WorldFest.
Blancanieves 3 Nov, 7.30pm Director/Writer: Pablo Berger Cast: Maribel Verdú, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ángela Molina 2012 \ Spain \ 104min \ In Spanish with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Film introduction by Fran Borgia, filmmaker and producer with Akanga Film Asia.
A reinterpretation of Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, the story is a gothic melodrama set in Southern Spain in the 1920s. Filmed in black and white with absolutely no dialogue, the director Pablo Berger has called his film “a fairy tale in images” and also a “love letter and tribute to European silent cinema”. Blancanieves was Spain's 85th Academy Awards official submission in the Best Foreign Language category, and won the Special Jury Prize and Best Actress "Silver Shell" Award for Macarena García at the 2012 San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Hansel and Gretel (헨젤과그레텔) 4 Nov, 7.30pm Director: Pil-Sung Yim \ Writers: Pil-Sung Yim, Min-sook Kim Cast: Jeong-myeong Cheon, Young-nam Jang, Ji-hee Jin 2007 \ South Korea \ 117min \ In Korean with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Film introduction by Eternality Tan, film blogger@Filmnomenon.
The classic fairy tale gets a horror makeover! Eun-soo is driving along Highway 69 when he hits a rock and passes out. He later regains consciousness and meets a young girl Young-hee, who brings him to the “House of Happy Children” deep in the forest. From here, the film takes an increasingly dark and menacing turn as the abandoned children in the house exact vengeance on hapless adults like Eun-soo.
45\6 featured \ fringe Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) 5 Nov, 7.30pm Director/Writer: Jean Cocteau Cast: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély 1946 \ France \ 96min \ In French with English subtitles \ PG
Film introduction by David Lee, Vice Chairman of Singapore Film Society.
Jean Cocteau’s haunting first feature film is considered one of the all-time greatest movie fantasies and also one of the most gorgeous pictures ever made with surreal imagery and special effects. This version of the classic romantic fairy tale, originally written by French author Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, will captivate and unsettle adult viewers with its ambiguities and contradictions.
Red Onion White Garlic (Bawang MerahBawang Putih) 6 Nov, 7.30pm Director: S. Roomai Noor Writer: Salleh Ghani Cast: Latifah Omar, Umi Kalthom, Mustapha Maarof 1959 \ Malaysia \ 92min \ In Malay with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Film introduction by Hatta Moktar, Marketing Manager of Singapore Film Society.
This popular traditional folklore originating from the Indonesian archipelago echoes the moral lessons in the fairy tale of Cinderella. The title character here is Bawang Merah, who suffers great hardship at the hands of her stepsister, Bawang Putih, and stepmother, Kundor. But things change for the better when her mother reappears in her life – as a fish – and a prince falls in love with her.
7\45 featured SINGAPORE WRITERS FESTIVAL LITERARY MEALS: EAT YOUR WORDS
presented by Your favourite authors will host an intimate meal serving up a THE ARTS HOUSE generous portion of food and writing that is sure to tease your taste buds and tantalise your thoughts!
Viet Lang @ The Arts House \ Barber Shop (beside Timbre @ The Arts House) Lunch: $60; $51 (Concession for students, senior citizens and The Arts House members and SWF Festival Pass holders)
Dinner: $80; $68 (Concession for students, senior citizens and The Arts House members and SWF Festival Pass holders)
There are only 20 tickets available for each event so buy yours now to avoid disappointment!
Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg
Eat Your Words with AC Grayling Hosted by: Jay L Garfield 2 Nov, 7 – 8.30pm Viet Lang @ The Arts House
“Most people would rather die than think; most people do,” so said English philosopher AC Grayling, who has authored 30 books on philosophy. His latest book discusses humanism, a philosophical starting point for reflection on how one should live, delivered with his trademark zest and humour. Be prepared to challenge your mind as we discuss some of life’s big questions over dinner!
Eat Your Words with Sjón Hosted by: Yong Shu Hoong 9 Nov, 1 – 2.30pm Barber Shop @ The Arts House
Few writers can boast of winning a major literary prize, having been nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe Award, as well as written a song for the opening ceremony of an Olympic Game. Such is the magic of this celebrated Icelandic poet, novelist and lyricist. Over this meal, take the opportunity to talk to Sjón about pop stars, fairies and “hidden people” in Iceland!
45\8 featured Eat Your Words with Carol Ann Duffy Hosted by: Heng Siok Tian 9 Nov, 7 – 8.30pm Barber Shop @ The Arts House
As the first female British poet laureate in the position’s 341-year history, the multi-award-winning Scottish poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy is known for addressing issues such as oppression, gender and violence in an accessible language that has made her work popular in schools. Enjoy this rare opportunity to spend an evening with one of the world’s most widely-read living British poets.
Eat Your Words with Peter James Hosted by: Shamini Flint 10 Nov, 1 – 2.30pm Viet Lang @ The Arts House
Peter James is a bestselling crime-thriller novelist notorious for his in- depth research for his novels, and for spending lots of time with the police force. A passionate race car driver and self-confessed “petrol head”, he even owns his own police car, which was donated to the Sussex police force who change the markings each year to match the latest Roy Grace cover! Join him over a meal to talk cars, crimes and various other capers!
presented by Lumenis Theatre Company and The Arts House In conjunction with Singapore Writers Festival NOCTURNAL WANDERER 2 & 3 Nov, 8pm, Play Den \ 8 & 9 Nov, 8pm, Chamber $10 \ $8.50 (Concession for students, senior citizens, The Arts House members, SWF Festival Pass holders) Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg
Be prepared to experience the brilliant dark humour and sublime surrealism of dreaming, love and the meaning of life in this staged reading of Nobel Prize winning author Gao Xingjian’s play, Nocturnal Wanderer (夜游神).
9\45 featured SILVER WRITING: WRITE YOUR OWN FOLK TALE
presented by Silver Writing aims to provide lifelong learning for senior citizens The Arts House through the art of creative writing. This 10-session programme in Collaboration With is especially catered for seniors who are interested in writing U 3rd Age (University and storytelling. of the Third Age) Organised by The Arts House in collaboration with U 3rd Age Living Room, Blue Room (University of the Third Age), the weekly workshops provide seniors with the basic tools of creative writing, as well as opportunities to visit 1, 8, 18, 22, 29 Oct Singapore’s historical places of interest to gain inspiration for their 5, 12, 22, 26 Nov writing. They will also get to meet both local and international writers 2 Dec with a special trip to the Singapore Writers Festival in November! 9.30am – 12.30pm Seniors will also get a chance to read their completed works in a special showcase at the end of the programme at The Arts House. $50 (for 10 sessions, inclusive of Singapore Writers Festival 2013 This pilot programme uses fairy tale and folk tale as a starting Pass) point for the writing exercises. Drawing on the stories they grew Tickets are available at up with, seniors can learn to craft them into a story and tell them to their grandchildren. www.bytes.sg
45\10 featured Four Songs From Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet'
A music and literature event not to be missed, Four Songs From Kahlil presented by Gibran’s ‘The Prophet’ makes its world premiere at The Arts House! The Arts House Internationally renowned composer John Sharpley has composed four new songs inspired by the poetry of Khalil Gibran, and is joined Living Room by one of Singapore’s most outstanding tenors, Reuben Lai. 13 & 14 Nov, 8pm
The evening begins with a presentation of Kahlil Gibran, his life $25; $20 (Concession for and literary works (especially The Prophet). A dialogue session students, senior citizens and The with the audience follows the performance of new original music in Arts House members) an evening that promises to be lyrical, emotionally engaging and Tickets are available at spiritually uplifting. www.bytes.sg
The four songs of the cycle are as follows: Pleasure adapted from On Pleasure Love One Another adapted from On Marriage The Secret of Death from On Death Like a Lotus of Countless Petals from On Self-Knowledge
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literary arts literary arts We Love Shorts!
presented by A short story is a brief work of literature that might take you less THE ARTS HOUSE time to read but not for a writer to compose. Writing a great short story is an art form of its own, one that requires a certain precision and great deal of editing as every single word matters in delivering the greatest impact with the smallest number of words. The Arts House celebrates the art of short form writing with the event We Love Shorts!, as we gather Singapore writers and readers to share their love for this genre.
presented by The Arts House WE LOVE SING SHORTS Box Office Foyer \ 26 Sep – 31 Oct, 10am – 10pm \ Free admission
Did you know six Singaporean writers have been longlisted for the prestigious Frank O’Connor Award, the coveted international literary award for the best short story collection?
Did you know there were almost 500 short story applications for this year’s Golden Point Award?
More than you realise, Singapore has steadily become a hub for short story writing. There is definitely no shortage of local short story writers here! In this special exhibition We Love Sing Shorts, we pull together anthologies of short stories published in the last three years by local writers in Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil. The exhibition celebrates their craft in short form writing, reflecting the credo of acclaimed short story writer Alice Munro: “I kind of want a moment that's explosive, and I want everything gathered into that.”
13\45 literary arts
This October we shine the spotlight on celebrated Japanese author Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892 – 1927) in conjunction with We BUT IS Love Shorts! Akutagawa is widely regarded as the Father of the Japanese short story who wrote more than 150 short stories in his BOOK brief lifetime, but never a single full-length novel. In this edition, THE we will delve into the world of Rashomon, arguably Akutagawa’s most famous short story, and discuss its impact as seen through its T he A rtBETTER?s House many film adaptations. Rashomon became a worldwide hit in part presented by because of its technical virtuosity and also because of film director THE ARTS HOUSE Akira Kurusawa’s film adaptation.
About Ryūnosuke Akutagawa Ryūnosuke Akutagawa was born in the Kyōbashi district of Tokyo, the third child and only son. Shortly after his birth, his mother who suffered from mental illness lapsed into a schizophrenic state which she never recovered from. Memories of his mother’s insanity and the fear it he might have inherited her mental condition affected his entire life, which strongly influenced his writing and contributed to themes in his stories. Akutagawa frequently attempted to examine universal patterns of human behaviour such as human struggle and the demands imposed by society. In Rashomon which became synonymous with his name due to the 1950 film version by legendary director Akira Kurosawa, he successfully portrayed the psychological drama of humanity caught in circumstantial predicament and morality. Akutagawa committed suicide at the age of 35.
Screening Room \ 5 – 7 Oct \Free admission by registration
RASHOMON 5 Oct, 4.30pm Director: Akira Kurosawa \ Writers: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo 1950 \ in Japanese with English subtitles \ Japan \ 88min \ PG Free admission by registration at rashomon.eventbrite.sg
Rashomon is a Japanese period drama based on two short stories written by Akutagawa. Rashomon provides the setting and In A Grove provides the character and plot. The film put director Akira Kurosawa on the world map. He is now widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema.
The film opens with a priest, a woodcutter and a commoner seeking refuge from a rainstorm at a former gatehouse called Rashomon. The priest and woodcutter are recounting the story of a murdered samurai whose body the woodcutter discovered three days earlier in a forest. Both were summoned to testify at the murder trial, which included three other witnesses – a notorious bandit who allegedly killed the samurai and raped his wife; the samurai’s wife; and the spirit of the samurai, recalled through a medium. The witnesses each gave different and contradictory points of view, as the film explores multiple realities rather than offering a particular truth.
The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1951 and an Academy Honorary Award at the 24th Academy Awards.
45\14 literary arts THE OUTRAGE 6 Oct, 7.30pm Director: Martin Ritt \ Writers: Michael Kanin, Fay Kanin, Akira Kurosawa Cast: Paul Newman, William Shatner, Laurence Harvey 1964 \ US \ 96min \ PG Free admission by registration at theoutrage.eventbrite.sg
The Outrage is a remake of the 1950 Japanese film masterpiece, Rashomon. In The Outrage director Martin Ritt decided to reformulate the film as a Western. However he kept to the original storyline where four people give contradictory accounts of a rape and murder.
A con man, a preacher and a prospector meet in the late 1800s and recall the story of the recent scandalous murder of Colonel Wakefield, a Southern gentleman, and how the notorious bandit Juan Carrasco was tried, convicted, and condemned. Everyone's account on the witness stand differed dramatically from each other. Whose version of the events is true? Will any more witnesses come forward with a new version of the truth?
IRON MAZE 7 Oct, 7.30pm Director: Hiroaki Yoshida \ Writers: Hiroaki Yoshida, Tim Metcalfe Cast: Jeff Fahey, Bridget Fonda, Hiroaki Murakami 1991 \ UK \ 104min \ PG Free admission by registration at ironmaze.eventbrite.sg
Hiroaki Yoshida’s Iron Maze is a modern reworking of Kurosawa’s classic Rashomon. Director Yoshida decides to shift the story to an economically depressed fictional Pennsylvania steel-mill town, where he focuses on the subject of US-Japanese cultural and economic relations between the main characters. In Kurosawa’s Rashomon, the subjective nature of perception was addressed head on, while Yoshida opted to showcase it differently by maintaining a level of suspense throughout his debut film.
THE RASHOMON EFFECT - PANEL DISCUSSION ON RYŪNOSUKE AKUTAGAWA’S RASHOMON 6 Oct, 5pm Free admission by registration at rashomonpanel.eventbrite.sg Join us for a panel discussion on the Father of Japanese short story, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. We will be exploring the impact of his most acclaimed short story, Rashomon, and how one short story can spawn several film adaptations.
15\45 literary arts
WORLD VOICES FEATURING RYAN VAN WINKLE
presented by American poet Ryan Van Winkle's incredibly personal and intimate The Arts House poetry-theatre experiment Red, Like Our Room Used to Feel, which was showcased at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe, has been known to Earshot Café captivate even those who shun poetry. 9 Oct, 7.30pm Join us as Ryan reads from his evocative poetry and presents a treat Free admission by registration at in the form of his ViewMaster, a personal slideshow performance wv-ryanvanwinkle.eventbrite.sg that is at times surprising and surreal, and offers viewers a chance to travel through scenes with your eyes and ears.
This session will be moderated by Alvin Pang, a noted and award winning poet.
About Ryan Van Winkle Ryan Van Winkle is Poet in Residence at Edinburgh City Libraries. His poetry theatre experiment Red, Like Our Room Used to Feel was one of the top 10 highest-rated shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012. His first collection Tomorrow, We Will Live Here was published by Salt in 2010 and his poems have appeared in The American Poetry Review, AGNI and Poetry New Zealand.
A programme initiated by The Arts House, World Voices features writers from around the world and provides a platform for these talents to discuss their critically acclaimed works and interact with local readers. If you wish to be featured, please email [email protected].
45\16 literary arts KOH KUAN ENG
First-time author Koh Kuan Eng has possibly written the first set of presented by dialect picture books in Singapore – My First Book Of Teochew THE ARTS HOUSE Words, My First Book Of Cantonese Words and My First Book Of Hokkien Words. Living Room 24 Oct, 7.30pm Observing the social trend of Singaporeans losing touch with dialects, he wants to contribute in small ways to reclaim this fast disappearing Free admission by registration at part of Singapore‘s heritage. By marrying his training in art and nwo-kuaneng.eventbrite.sg awareness of this trend, he hopes to reconnect Singaporeans with dialects in a fun and engaging way through these books.
About Koh Kuan Eng Kuan Eng was a creative director in advertising before making a career switch to social work. He is currently working as a social worker in the prison as well as an art teacher in a special education school. Kuan Eng is the author of My First Book Of Teochew Words, My First Book Of Cantonese Words and My First Book Of Hokkien Words, which were launched in 2013.
A programme initiated by The Arts House, New Word Order seeks to discover emerging talents in the literary arts scene and give a voice to new Singaporean writers and artistes who are exploring new ways of approaching the written word. If you wish to be featured, please email [email protected].
17\45 literary arts SING LIT 101: HOW TO READ A SINGAPOREAN POEM
presented by In an inspiring new series that celebrates the life and power of Dr Gwee Li Sui and Singaporean poetry, let literary critic and poet Dr Gwee Li Sui bring The Arts House you on a literary journey with a local flavour where he packs six major English poems from Singapore's formative decades in an Screening Room easy-to-digest format. 12 & 26 Oct, 11am – 1pm 12 Oct: Goh Poh Seng’s Bird with One Wing Per session: The late Goh Poh Seng was Singapore’s celebrated literary pioneer $20; $10 (Student concession) and champion of the arts before he emigrated to Canada in 1986. This is his poetic contemplation on an artist’s life and struggles and Panel Discussion: Poetry and Existence the place of art in society. 16 Nov, 3 – 5pm Screening Room 26 Oct: Chandran Nair’s after the hard hours, this rain Free admission by registration at Love poetry is among the less developed categories in Singaporean singlit-panel.eventbrite.sg literature. Yet, in this category, Chandran Nair has been writing some of the most concurrently tender and intricate love poems. The sentimental truths found in it and other works will be discussed.
Panel Discussion: Poetry and Existence 16 Nov, 3 – 5pm \ Living Room \ Free admission Join Dr Gwee as he closes a unique season of poetry lectures at The Arts House with a panel of respected poets, including Chandran Nair and Boey Kim Cheng, who have contributed to Singapore’s cultural landscape for decades. Now take a walk with these poetic figures through their own sharing about their quieter living in art.
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co-presented by The Italian Cultural Institute and The Arts House BOOK LAUNCH: DIARY OF AN EXPAT IN SINGAPORE Blue Room \ 17 Oct, 7pm \ Free admission
Join us as we present the newly published book Diary of An Expat in Singapore by Jennifer Gargiulo. Diary is a humourous look at life as an Italian expat in Singapore. The book, filled with funny anecdotes, top 10 lists, and timely observations, is based on Jennifer’s popular blog of the same name. Come meet Jennifer as she opens up on her life. Diary, which tops Kinokuniya bookstore’s bestseller list, is published by Marshall Cavendish Editions.
presented by Read! Singapore and The Arts House PRINT/SCREEN FEATURING THE KITE RUNNER Screening Room \ 18 Oct, 3.30pm & 7.30pm \ Free admission
Adapted from the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, this film Director: Marc Forster is an unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship Writer: David Benioff \ Based on between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant. Set in the book by Khaled Hosseini Cast: Khalid Abdalla, Zekeria Afghanistan, this is a story about the power of reading, the price of Ebrahimi, Ahmad Kan Mahmidzada betrayal and the possibility of redemption, as well as an exploration 2007 \ US \ 128min of the power of fathers over sons – their love, their sacrifices, their In Persian, English, Russian with lies. Stand to win copies of the novel when you catch the film! English subtitles \ PG
presented by The Arts House and NUS Department of Malay Studies CITA: BAHASA & BUDAYA Play Den \ 19 Oct, 10am – 4pm \ Free admission
The lecture in Malay by Dr Aishah Kassim from the Centre of Language Studies, National University of Singapore will discuss about the use of Malay in contemporary Singapore. On the related theme of language education, educationist Sazali Sahri will share on some of his findings in a paper titledT he Malay Language Curriculum and The Initiatives of Malay Literature Support Group: A Case Study.
In the afternoon, Wadah (performance) presents Musika: Arena Muzik Silam di Malaya 1900 – 1965, led by Mr Azlan Mohd Said and Mr Juffri Supa'at.
19\45 literary arts
presented by Caferati Singapore Chapter CAFERATI MEET READ Council Room 19 Oct, 3.30pm Free admission Write to [email protected] to register
Need feedback about your writing, but have no one to ask? Then Caferati Singapore Chapter invites you to develop your writing skills! Caferati Meet Read is a forum for adult writers in English, where you are invited to share your original writing (fiction, poetry, essays, scripts, screen scenarios - anything that can be read aloud) in English with the group. Whether you're a published author or a newbie, you'll find peers in our group.
presented by MoonShadow Stories supported by The Arts House TANAH PUSAKA: HAUNTING STORIES OF A LAND POSSESSED Play Den 31 Oct, 8pm $25 \ Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg
Centuries ago, a piece of land somewhere in Singapore became cursed and remains cursed to this day. On Halloween Night, MoonShadow Stories will tell four tales of this land. Tales of black magic, toyols, orang minyak, ghosts and utter evil. Tales guaranteed to send chills of fear up and down your spine. Enter this world with Kamini Ramachandran and Verena Tay.
45\20 literary arts TROPICAL LITERATURE & ART CLUB TALK SERIES: SANDCASTLE SCREENING & TALK 热带雅聚: 本土电影 《沙城》观赏与座谈会
The October session of the Tropical Literature & Art Club Talk Series presented by Tropical Literature & presents a special screening of the award-winning Singapore film Art Club and The Arts House Sandcastle, the debut feature film by director Boo Junfeng. After the Screening Room screening, audiences are invited to join two established scriptwriters Ding Yun and Lin Peiqiang in a talk about the film and its impact. 6 Oct, 2.30 – 5.30pm
一位即将入伍受军训的18岁少年，爱上了中国来新加坡读书的少女； Free admission 守寡多年的母亲有了新对象；在一次到祖父家短期居住期间，他无意 SANDCASTLE《沙城》 间发现了家庭的秘密。原来父母当年是60年代学生运动的领袖，他 Director/Writer: Boo Junfeng 的父亲更是被放逐的政治犯…… Cast: Joshua Tan, Elena Chia Bobbi Chen 电影放映后，两位影艺工作者：丁云、林培强针对影片举行座谈，并与 2010 \ Singapore \ 96min 现场观众交流。 In English, Mandarin and Hokkien with English subtitles \ NC16
TROPICAL LITERATURE & ART CLUB TALK SERIES: RECOLLECTING OLD BOOKS - SERIES 2 热带雅聚: “ 书 香 依 旧 在 ”系 列 二
In April this year, Tropical Literature & Art Club held its first series presented by Tropical Literature & of the Recollecting Old Books session, allowing senior authors to re- Art Club and The Arts House introduce to the public books which had been published long ago. Blue Room The session was so well received that a second is held this month. 3 Nov, 2.30 – 5.30pm Besides highlighting their literary lives, the authors are also invited to interact with the audiences. 15 to 20 titles will be featured. The Free admission participating authors include Fang Xiu, Lin Huanwen, Huang Jinying, Liu Shun, Shi Min, Lian Qi, Mei Hua, Fang Ran, Lin Kang, Wang Lei, Dong Qin, Li Xuanlou, Chen Mingluan, Jun Yinglu, Tian Si, and Ai Wei.
今年四月，我们热带雅聚筹办第一次“书香依旧在”，让曾在文坛辛勤 耕耘的作家们，把他们多年前出版的著作，在这里呈献给公众。同时 介绍作家们的文学生涯，邀请他们与读者相会，签书、合影、茶叙，读 者们藉此向作家表达敬意。这个活动取得热烈的反响。因此，我们决 定再度举办！
这次我们将向朋友们推荐15至20种著作。让好书重新在读者当中流 通！参与的作者有：方修、林焕文、黄金英、柳舜、适民、连奇、美华、 方然、林康、网雷、冬琴、李选楼、陈鸣鸾、君盈绿、田思、爱薇等。
21\45 literary arts
co-presented by Writing Singapore (书写文学) and The Arts House WRITING SINGAPORE LITERARY FORUM 2013 SERIES GUO HAO SHUI: PHOTOGRAPHY AND LITERATURE 郭浩水：摄影与文学 Blue Room \ 17 Nov, 2.30pm – 5.30pm \ Free admission
What has photography to do with literature? Led by the seasoned photographer Walter Quek, this session displays the harmonious combination of these two art forms, exploring the poetry in photographs and artistic photography from literature that even amateurs could enjoy!
摄影和文学有什么关系？… 他们之间的关系可大了，因为他们都是 表达艺术的形式；摄影是用颜色和图形，文学则是用文字和故事。这 个讲座将这两种表达艺术的形式结合在一起，让我们从照片中寻找 和探索文学，也从文学里寻找摄影作品的灵感。而更让人欣喜的是这 种综合的艺术形式，是任何人都可以参与的，包括摄影或文学的门外 汉。在讲座里，郭浩水先生将会展示和讲解一批他招集一起的业余和 初学摄影爱好者的摄影作品，并从中发现文学，再让文学融入其中。
presented by Monsters Under The Bed MONSTER HUNTINK Living Room \ 18 – 20 Nov, 10am – 1pm $240 \ Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg
Monster HuntINK is a three-day workshop aimed at primary students raring to take a trip on the wild side! Monsters have long dominated the human imagination, from huge dragons to secret werewolves. In this fun holiday workshop, children will invent their own monster compendium! Participants are trained by monster aficionados and published writers. The workshop also features guest speakers Eugene Toh, president of the Society of Paranormal Investigators, and Christopher Chitty, host for Singapore Haunted. They have documented hundreds of unexplained supernatural encounters and followed the trail of the Big Foot sightings in Malaysia!
45\22 fESTIVAL festival INDIA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS SHOWCASE
presented by Films India Foundation 29 Nov, Screening Room, 1.30pm for the Arts City of Photos (60min) venue partner Out of Thin Air (50min) The Arts House The Nine Months (78min)
Screening Room, 30 Nov, Screening Room, 11.30am Blue Room & Play Den The Other Song (120min) 29 – 30 Nov, various timings IFA Grantee Showcase 29 Nov, Blue Room, 5 – 9pm Free admission MV Bhaskar – Alternative methods in Mural Conversations P Madhavan – Alternative Photography Jyoti Dogra – Lecture Demonstration
Performance 30 Nov, Play Den, 8pm Ashavari Majumdar's Surpanaka (Invited guests only)
For the first time in Singapore, the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) is bringing together a showcase of the best of art from India – from film to theatre, photography and the latest in Indian performing arts. IFA is an independent philanthropic organisation based in Bangalore, India which has supported over 330 arts and culture projects through its various programmes.
45\24 film film
FRAME INNOCENTS
E M RA F
presented by Continuing from its Singapore premiere in September at The Arts The Arts House House, and having recently won its director Wong Chen-Hsi the Best Director at the Asian New Talent Awards at the Shanghai Screening Room International Film Festival, Innocents is a delicate coming of age story about Syafiqah, a young girl who, after being abandoned by her 3 & 4 Oct, 7.30pm parents, befriends an ostracised boy. 5 Oct, 2pm & 7.30pm Post-show Q&A with director/ producer Wong Chen-Hsi Misunderstood and bullied, they while away the afternoons in the on 4 Oct, 7.30pm giant canals behind their school, carving out a world of escape. Gently immersive, the film investigates memories of childhood within $10 the landscape of a swiftly evolving city state. $8.50 (Concession for students, senior citizens and The Arts House members) Innocents premiered at the Rome International Film Festival in November 2012, opening the competition section Alice Nella Citta. Director/Writer: The film was also selected for the Jeonju International Film Festival in Wong Chen-Hsi April 2013 and was most recently shown at the prestigious Shanghai Cast: Nameera Ashley, International Film Festival where director Wong Chen-Hsi received Cai Chengyue 2012 \ Singapore \ 88min the Best Director award at the 2013 Asian New Talent Awards. In English and Malay with English subtitles \ PG The Arts House is a partner of Watch Local, an initiative by the Singapore Film Commission.
Frame x Frame is a film series by The Arts House to showcase Singapore cinema. The quarterly programme will feature first-run of upcoming films as well as retrospectives of noted filmmakers.
45\26 film
FRAME MENSTRUAL MAN
E M RA F
***** Back by popular demand! *****
Menstrual Man returns to The Arts House for a second theatrical run presented by this October! Don’t miss your chance to catch this documentary by The Arts House Singapore director Amit Virmani. Screening Room There are men who squirm at the mention of a woman’s period. And then there’s Muruganantham, a school dropout in India who went 21 – 24 Oct, 8pm 26 Oct, 3 pm & 4.30pm to great extremes to produce low-cost sanitary pads for his wife. 27 Oct, 3pm, 4.30pm & 8pm Once mocked by his own community, he is now acknowledged as a Post-show Q&A with director Amit visionary for empowering rural women with access to both feminine Virmani: TBA hygiene and a livelihood. Muruganantham has been described by The Straits Times (16 Aug 2013) to be “a natural-born raconteur, a $10 $8.50 (Concession for students, savant of speech, his own best myth-maker and a man who speaks senior citizens and The Arts House machine-gun version of English which – like his machines – he members) fashioned himself”. Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg The Arts House is a partner of Watch Local, an initiative by the Singapore Film Commission. Director: Amit Virmani 2013 \ Documentary \ 63min In English and Hindi with English About Amit Virmani subtitles \ PG13 Amit Virmani’s debut Cowboys in Paradise was one of the most talked- about Asian documentaries in recent years. The controversial film was featured on CNN, BBC and various international media. It has been broadcast in over 100 countries and included in women studies curricula at more than 80 universities. Amit lives in Singapore. Menstrual Man is his second film.
27\45 film Spotlight On Czech Films returns to The Arts House for a second Spotlight season and features three popular films from the Czech and Slovak On Czech Republics. This film festival is proudly presented by the Embassy of Czech Republic in Jakarta to commemorate the Czech National Films Day on 28 Oct. It follows the successful completion of Spotlight Embassy of co-presented by Singapore, a cultural diplomacy initiative which spanned across the Czech Republic in Jakarta and the fields of culture, arts and economics, in the Slovak and Czech Spotlight Singapore Republics in 2012.
Screening Room \ 12, 13, 29, 30 & 31 Oct \ Free admission
MADE IN ASH (AŽ DO MESTA AŠ) 12 Oct, 3pm & 29 Oct, 7.30pm \ Director: Iveta Grófová Writers: Iveta Grófová, Marek Leščák \ Cast: Dorotka Billa, Maria Billa, Jarka Bucincova \ 2012 \ Slovak & Czech Republics \ 84min In Czech, Slovak and German with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Iveta Grofova’s arresting feature debut is a gritty and poignant realistic tale of a Slovak Romany girl’s sad trajectory from a textile factory novice to sex worker. Relying upon a largely non-professional cast in authentic settings, Made In Ash was nominated as Slovakia’s officialO scar entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 2012 and has garnered positive reviews from international critics.
FLOWER BUDS (POUPATA) 12 & 30 Oct, 7.30pm \ Director/Writer: Zdeněk Jiráský Cast: Vladimír Javorský, Malgorzata Pikus, Marika Soposká \ 2011 Czech Republic \ 91min \ In Czech with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Boasting exquisite cinematography and impressive performances, director Zdeněk Jiráský’s award-winning debut feature is a sincere, sensitive and moving social drama on everyday’s struggles to survive. A bleakly humorous snapshot of life in a snowy and remote Czech town, Flower Buds tracks with clear-eyed tenderness the intersecting hardships and hopes of its residents, centring on the Hrdina family: Jarda, a train signal operator with a gambling problem, his wife Kamila, who pines for her lost youth, and their restless teenage children.
INNOCENCE (NEVINNOST) 13 Oct, 2pm & 31 Oct, 7.30pm \ Director: Jan Hřebejk Writers: Petr Jarchovský, Jan Hřebejk \ Cast: Ondřej Vetchý, Anna Geislerová, Ludek Munzar \ 2011 \ Czech Republic \ 98min In Czech with English subtitles \ Rating: TBA
Legendary Czech director Jan Hřebejk’s award-winning thriller blurs the boundary between truth and morality. A renowned physician, also a beloved father and husband, is accused of a serious felony. Innocence is hard to prove, especially when in desperation to try to save oneself, secrets that should have remained hidden forever are sacrificed. Buoyed by an exemplary Czech cast who gave complex, nuanced performances, Innocence was the winner of two 2012 Czech Lion awards and was nominated for an additional six, including Best Director.
45\28 film WAGNER AT 200
Nov 15, 7.30pm co-presented by The Second Dream - Schlingesief stages Richard Wagner in Manaus the Richard (Der ZweiteTraum - Schlingensiefinszeniert Wagner in Manaus) Richard Wagner and his Women (Richard Wagner und die Frauen) Wagner Association Nov 16 (Singapore), the 7.30pm - cocktail reception Goethe-Institut sponsored by Richard Wagner Association (Singapore) Singapore and 8.30pm - The Transformation of the World in Music The Arts House (Die Verwandlung der Welt in Musik) Screening Room Wagner at 200 celebrates the 200th birthday of acclaimed German composer Richard Wagner through three documentaries about 15 & 16 Nov, 7.30pm Wagner. This film series is held in conjunction with the German Film Free admission Festival in Singapore. Join us in this celebration of the life and works of Richard Wagner!
The documentaries include The Second Dream – Schlingesief stages Richard Wagner in Manaus, which follows the staging of The Flying Dutchman in a remote Brazilian community; Richard Wagner and his Women, about the influence of various women on Wagner and his legacy; and The Transformation of the World in Music, directed by Werner Herzog, which explores the inner workings of the renowned Bayreuth Festival.
29\45 music music living with KAREN SEAH
The great Italian composer Puccini was famous for his verismo presented by operas and realistic styles, compared to composers before his time. Karen Seah and Join soprano Karen Seah as she sings her favourite Puccini arias. The Arts House Amongst the repertoire are arias from Si. Mi chiamamo MimifromLa Bohèma,and Un bel di from Madama Butterfly. Living Room 14 Oct, 8pm Pianist Chiam Zhi Bin will accompany her. $10 About Karen Seah Tickets available at Karen Seah studies classical vocal music with Hawk Liu. Other than The Arts House box office counter Puccini, she likes Chinese art songs and a variety of other genres like songs of Edith Piaf and musicals. Karen is also drawn to Chinese culture and martial arts, as well as learning languages. She is an entrepreneur working on her startup Skillsmate.
About Chiam Zhi Bin Chiam Zhi Bin began playing the piano a decade ago and has played for musicians, singers, choirs, ballet schools as well as for various performances and events. Inspired by Le Patin Libre, Cirque du Soleil and the Nederlands Dans Theater, he is putting himself through a four-year training programme to incorporate ballet, contemporary, tango, flamenco, jazz, hip-hop, break dance, tap dance, gymnastics and acrobatics into figure skating to create brilliant and captivating performances which touch and move audiences.
31\45 music living with JARED CHAN
presented by Spend an hour with Jared Chan in his debut solo vocal performance, Jared Chan and together with the very talented pianist Xie Zhi Zhong. The Arts House Let them take you through a jazzy evening as you swing to the Living Room rhythm of familiar Christmas tunes, with the likes of Let it Snow, I'll be Home for Christmas, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night and Joy 11 Nov, 8pm to the World. $10 About Jared Chan Tickets available at Before he was introduced to singing and the wonderful world of The Arts House box office counter music at the age of 12, Jared Jerome Chan was a quiet, shy young person. He first fell in love with choral music through singing with his church choir, where he has grown and developed his passion over the last 13 years. Keen to explore his musicality, Jared expanded into other genres through vocal classes in 2007. He has performed on the stages of the National Library's Drama Centre and Victoria Concert Hall. This recital marks his debut solo showcase.
The longest running series programmed by The Arts House, Living with is a series of one-hour performances held on the first Monday evening of each month centred around the piano or on piano music. Established and aspiring musicians who are looking to perform in an intimate space may email your proposals to [email protected]
45\32 music 3RD SINGAPORE LIEDER FESTIVAL - THE SONGS OF FRANCIS POULENC
Sopranos: Rebecca Li, Lim Yan Ting, Teng Xiang Ting, co-presented by Yap Shing Min, Marrisa Yu The Sing Song Club Mezzo-sopranos: Anna Koor, Joanna Paul and The Arts House Tenors: Wilson Goh, Peter Ong, Adrian Poon Baritone: William Lim Living Room Narrators: Michael Corbidge, Susan Tordoff 3 Oct: Youth \ 4 Oct: Growing Piano: Shane Thio \ 5 Oct: Epiphany \ 17 Oct: The Musicians from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Raffles Institution War \ 18 Oct: Crisis \ 19 Oct: Conductor: Zechariah Goh Toh Chai Finale I \ 27 Oct: Finale II, 8pm
Francis Poulenc is the most adorable and loveable of French composers, Regular: $20/ session ; $100/season pass and for good reason. His music is sincere and unpretentious, and he (7 sessions) is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeves. At the same time, it is Concession for senior citizens, music of great depth and his songs have the ability to move us, both students and The Arts House the listener and the performer, in the most profound way. His musical members: $15/session language is completely unique, yet unmistakably French. His love $70/season pass (7 sessions) for the human voice and for poetry is undeniable and the ease with Tickets are available at which he handles the medium of song is without doubt one of the www.bytes.sg most amazing and masterly in the whole of modern music history. For more information, email To commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death, The Sing Song [email protected] Club and The Arts House embark on this ambitious 170-song journey this October to celebrate the music of one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.
33\45 music THE ALPHABET SERIES PRESENTS LETTER M – M IS FOR MARIAN MUSINGS
co-presented by As we prepare for Christmas, it seems fitting that The Sing Song Club The Arts House performs some music for and about Mary, one of the most iconic of and female figures, and one of the most potent symbols of motherhood. the sing song club Not just the Ave Marias that have escorted many a bride down the aisle, but songs surprising and sublime, both sacred and banal, that Living Room show how much her story has been an inspiration to composers over time and space. 23 Nov, 8pm
$20; A collaboration between The Arts House and The Sing Song Club, $15 (Concession for students, The Alphabet Series is a showcase of a series of 26 recitals based senior citizens, The Arts House on every letter of the alphabet. Started in 2012, the series spans five members and NSF) years as it aims to promote the genre of art songs. Tickets are available at www.bytes.sg
45\34 theatre theatre MAN
presented by Directed by: Izad Omar Written by: Haryani Othman Kreativ Outbox Cast: Izad Omar, Izzat Yusoff Play Den An elderly lady, once active and loved, is now left to count her last 25 – 26 Oct, 8pm days in a wheelchair. Laughter stopped, fingers pointed, weaknesses confronted, all to lessen their burden. This is a story of two siblings, $25 Azman and Rosman, caring for their mother. The play, a series of Tickets are available at dramatic monologue, casts a spotlight on the melancholic relationship [email protected] between the brothers who are facing issues taking care of their (JAY) 8355 2609 mother with the emotional misconception of being a man. (IZAD) 9002 5106
45\36 visual arts visual arts
presented by Red Square Gallery A JOURNEY FROM ARMENIA TO LONDON Postponed till further notice \ Free admission
Born in Soviet Armenia in 1953, Artour Oshakantsi is regarded as the greatest Armenian Abstract painter in the former Soviet Union. He studied under renowned American abstract expressionist painter Arshile Gorky (1904 – 1948), and later went on to create his own style of Abstract Naturalism, of which he is the founder.
Through his paintings, Oshakantsi takes the viewer on a journey of suffering and anguish as he depicts images inspired by the Armenian genocide of 1915, a topic that remains close to the hearts of many Armenians even today. With his use of vivid colours and abstract forms, Oshakantsi conveys stories of women and children striving for survival and renewal in the aftermath of the massacre, spirituality, and the fierce hope for the triumph of justice over evil and destruction.
presented by Soe Soe (Laputta) BEAUTIFUL LAND, MYANMAR Gallery \ 26 – 30 Oct, 10am – 8pm (until 6pm on Wednesday) Free admission
Renowned Myanmar artist Soe Soe (Laputta) is back in Singapore this October for a solo exhibition. His unusual techniques reflect his pioneering spirit in pursuing innovation in each piece of art. The three-dimensional quality of his pieces aptly captures the nature and reality of plants and paddy fields, such that one feels as if one is physically standing by the beautiful hills in Myanmar.
presented by White Space Art Asia RESONANCE Gallery \ 8 – 10 Nov, 10am – 8.30pm \ Free admission
White Space Art Asia, in collaboration with the Heng Artland Gallery, brings to you a group show that features five contemporary young artists from China. These artists from China are a cross- section of the 80s generation; a generation where individuality is paramount and finding an identity in a vast sea of humanism is a constant struggle. They are intimately aware of their heritage and yet often are at odds with their elders who lived through the Mao era and the cultural revolution. At turns quirky and sombre, introspective and assertive, they intuitively understand subjectivity is the key to individualism and to expressing the brave new world that is being shaped around them.
45\38 visual arts
presented by Dove Doodle Pte Ltd SOLO ART EXHIBITION BY MIKE JUGGINS Foyer & Print Gallery (Exhibition) / Screening Room (Talk & Film Screening) Exhibition: 17 – 28 Nov, 10am – 10pm Talk & Film screening: 17 – 19 Nov, 7 – 8pm Exhibition: Free admission Talk & Film screening: Adult: $10 \ Student (7 to 16+ years old): $3 Child (3 to 6+ years old): $2 Group Concession Package (Group of 4 adults): $32 Family Concession Package (2 adults + 2 children): $20 Tickets are available at 6444 9501 or 9806 3634 For enquiries, please email [email protected].
UK community artist, filmmaker and educator Mike Juggins, who recently exhibited at the Tate Modern (London) and Buckfast Abbey (Devon), will hold his first solo exhibition featuring more than 25 paintings in acrylic and oil in Singapore! Being dyslexic, Mike chooses to focus on the ability rather than the disability of this disadvantaged group through his creative works. Two films that explore the link between dyslexia and creativity will also be screened, and followed by a guided discussion by Mike.
presented by Kala Tarang CRAFTS BAZAAR 2013 Gallery \ 20 – 23 Nov (11am – 7pm, until 6pm on Saturday) Free admission
Crafts Bazaar 2013 is an exhibition and sale of handicrafts made by rural and tribal communities from various parts of India. Items ranging from pottery, figurines, wall hangings and rugs to shawls, stoles and folk paintings are on display and for sale.
The products are made with natural raw materials extracted using sustainable processes, with a range of colours created from leaves, bark, fruits and mud. So go green without being drab!
39\45
Event Listings Free admission 2013 OCTOBER
26 Sep – 31 Oct We Love Sing Shorts P13
1, 8, 18, 22, 29 Oct / 5, 12, 22, 26 Nov Silver Writing: Write Your Own Folk Tale P10
3 – 5 Oct Frame x Frame featuring Innocents P26
3 – 5, 17 – 19 & 27 Oct 3rd Singapore Lieder Festival - The Songs Of Francis Poulenc P33
5 – 7 Oct But is the Book Better: Ryūnosuke Akutagawa P14
6 Oct & 3 Nov Tropical Literature & Art Club Talk Series P21
12 – 31 Oct Spotlight On Czech Films P28
14 Oct Living With Karen Seah P31
17 Oct Book Launch: Diary Of An Expat In Singapore P19
18 Oct Print/Screen Featuring The Kite Runner P19
19 Oct Caferati Meet Read P20
19 Oct Cita: Bahasa & Budaya P19
21 – 24, 26 & 27 Oct Frame x Frame featuring Menstrual Man P27
24 Oct New Word Order featuring Koh Kuan Eng P17 9 Oct World Voices featuring 25 & 26 Oct Man P36 Ryan Van Winkle P16
26 Oct – 15 Nov Intrusion P4 12 – 26 Oct Sing Lit 101: How To Read A Singaporean Poem P18 26 - 30 Oct Beautiful Land, Myanmar P38
31 Oct Tanah Pusaka: Haunting Stories Of A Land Possessed P20
45\40
Event Listings
2013 NOVEMber
2, 3, 8 & 9 Nov Nocturnal Wanderer P9 1, 8, 18, 22, 29 Oct / 5, 12, 22, 26 Nov Silver Writing: Write Your Own Folk Tale P10
7 – 9 Nov Darkness And Light: Tales From Southeast Asia P4
8 – 10 Nov Resonance P38
11 N o v Living With Jared Chan P32
3 Nov Once Upon A Time In Singapore ... P4
13 & 14 Nov Kahlil Gibran’s ‘The Prophet’ In Song P11
26 Oct – 15 Nov Intrusion P4
15 & 16 Nov Wagner At 200 P29
2 – 6 Nov SWF Fringe Panel Discussions P2 16 Nov Panel Discussion: Poetry and Existence P18
17 Nov Writing Singapore Literary Forum 2013 Series P22
17 – 28 Nov Solo Art Exhibition By Mike Juggins P39
18 – 20 Nov Monster Huntink P22
20 – 23 Nov Crafts Bazaar 2013 P39
23 Nov The Alphabet Series Presents Letter M – M Is For Marian Musings P34
29 – 30 Nov India Foundation For The Arts Showcase P24
2 – 6 Nov Fringe Films P5
2 – 10 Nov Literary Meals: Eat Your Words P8
6 Oct & 3 Nov Tropical Literature & Art Club Talk Series P21
41\45 Shop & Dine at The Arts House
THE SHOP Mon – Sat, 11am – 8pm (closed on Sun & PH)
The Shop features a broad selection of books, artworks, design objects, gifts, jewellery, apparels and exclusive items developed by The Arts House. Featuring products by more than 20 Singapore lifestyle designers, The Shop offers the perfect solution for individuals looking for stylishly handmade products that are designed to suit their needs. PROMOTION every $50 spent entitles you to a FREE Local Delicacy Dust Cap or a Best Wishes bookmark. Promotion item whilst stocks last. Valid in October and November. SWF pass holders: 15% off with a minimum spending of $50 in a single receipt. Valid from 1 - 10 Nov 2013. EARSHOT CAFÉ Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 6pm (closed on weekends & PH) Happy Hour from 3pm – 6pm Earshot Café is a concept space that is fully dedicated to promoting Singapore books, music and films while having a great cup of coffee. We hold book launches, writers’ talks, literary cocktails and music performances here. PROMOTION this November, receive a complimentary Refreshing Zesty Mint for every set lunch ordered. This October and November, receive a $100 voucher for only $75. Conditions apply. SWF pass holders: $2 off with minimum spend of $20. Valid from 1 - 10 Nov 2013. VIET LANG Sun – Thu: 11.30am – 10.30pm \ Fri, Sat & PH: 11.30am – 11pm Viet Lang is derived from Vietnam’s present name and its historical name Anh Lang. This restaurant offers a good presentation of authentic Northern, Central and Southern Vietnamese cuisine with a touch of Franco-Asian influence set in a contemporary décor and cosy ambience. PROMOTION this October, receive a complimentary set lunch for every 3 paying set lunches ordered. This October and November, receive a $100 voucher for only $75. Conditions apply. SWF pass holders: $10 off with minimum spend of $50. Valid from 1 - 10 Nov 2013. 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-01 \ +65 6337 3379 \ www.vietlang-artshouse.com Timbré @ The Arts House Mon – Thur: 6pm – 1am \ Fri & Sat: 6pm – 2am (closed on Sun & PH) Swaying just by the river within the beautifully restored Old Parliament House lies a new music enclave amongst calm waters and peaceful streams. Timbré continues to create waves with added flavours to its ala carte menu of Singapore talents within its new cosy and comfortable ambience. 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-04 \ E: [email protected] \ +65 6338 8552 Reservations
45\42 Shop & Dine at The Arts House
Barbershop by Timbré Wed – Sat, from 6pm; closed on Sun - Tue Quality music has a new address. Come down to Barber Shop, the latest addition to Timbré Group's line- up of live music venues, featuring a wide selection of premium whisky paired with a unique repertoire of blues, soul, funk and jazz bands catering to a discerning audience with a taste for the high life. Check out Barber Shop, located indoors next to Timbré@The Arts House, and get ready for a refreshing different live music experience. PROMOTION sWF pass holders: 15% off non-promotional items. Valid from 1 - 10 Nov 2013. Annex Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane #01-03 \ +65 65 6336 3386 \ www.timbregroup.asia OLIVIA CASSIVELAUN FANCOURT (OCF) Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm, open till late (Mon – Sat), closed for Sat Lunch and on Sun A collaboration between A Thousand Tales and Timbré Group, Restaurant Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt is a 60-seater restaurant located on the second level, right above Timbré@The Arts House. This exquisitely designed restaurant serves up a storm of French fare amidst carefully curated playlist of songs.
Annex Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane #02-02 +65 6333 9312 \ www.ocf-singapore.com
The Arts House Box-Office
1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429 T 65 6332 6919 F 65 6339 9695 E [email protected] W www.bytes.sg www.bytes.sg
Opening Hours Mon – Fri 10am – 8pm Sat 11a m – 8pm Sun & PH Closed (For events on Sundays and Public Holidays, Box Office opens 1 hour before showtime till 30 minutes after the show starts)
All tickets (except for films) are subject to a ticketing fee of $2 each. Please note that once a booking has been confirmed, no amendments, cancellations or refunds are permitted.
43\45
Our Spaces Print Gallery
Chamber
Blue Room
The Print Gallery occupies the front corridor of The Arts House, just before entry into the Foyer and the Box-Office.
This part of the House features a long corridor that mirrors the corridor at the back of the House where the Screening Room is Play Den situated and connects to the central staircase.
The significant story about the staircase took place in the 1950s when the House first became the Assembly House. Singapore’s first Chief Minister David Marshall was only given a table under this staircase as his office on the first day of his new appointment. He was naturally very unhappy with this arrangement and protested by sitting under the tree outside. He was given a proper office the Screening Room next day.
The Print Gallery is now used as a space to showcase artworks by new and upcoming artists in Singapore who are supported by The Arts House Visual Arts Scheme.
Gallery
Living Room
For more information about our spaces, please visit theartshouse.com.sg/Visit/AllVenues
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About The Arts House
ccupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore’s first Parliament House, The Arts House Osince its opening in 2004 has been offering its visitors a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from contemporary arts and entertainment events to lifestyle options, while at the same time playing an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene.
Since 2011, The Arts House has been focusing on the development of literary arts, while supporting and presenting programmes and festivals that aim to give our audiences a wide and multidisciplinary experience.
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www.theartshouse.com.sg General Information Address: 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
Like us on General Enquiries T 65 6332 6900 F 65 6336 3021
/theartshouse E [email protected] W www.theartshouse.com.sg
How to get to The Arts House
Follow us on By MRT 7-minute walk from City Hall and Raffles City MRT stations By Bus @The_Arts_House Victoria Concert Hall: 100, 107, 130, 131, 75, 167 The Treasury: 51, 63, 80, 124, 124A, 145, 166, 174, 174e, 197, 1N, 2N, @theartshouse 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N Fullerton Sq: 10, 10e, 57, 70, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 196, 196e, 75, 167, 531 By Car Carpark available at Parliament House, The Adelphi and Review The Arts House Funan DigitaLife Mall