Locals and visitors can experience ’s art and cultural heritage in new ways and even create their own art alongside local artists

Singapore, 14 Nov 2019 – From sketching lessons in Singapore’s last fishing village to musical performances in the back lanes of Muscat Street, and even leaving their mark on a wall mural in Little India, locals and visitors to Singapore can look forward to encountering art in its various forms in unexpected places around the island this November.

Singapore’s key lifestyle and cultural precincts – namely the Civic District/Marina Bay, Chinatown, Little India, and Joo Chiat – and beyond will host a series of arts and culture events aimed at celebrating Singapore’s unique heritage and culture. Anchored by the 2019, the events will provide casual art appreciators, serious enthusiasts and creators with numerous opportunities to enjoy and make art in new, inspiring ways.

Ms Serene Tan, Director, Arts and Cultural Precincts, , said: “The wide array of events this November offers something for everyone, whether you are an avid art aficionado or just a curious consumer. In Singapore, arts and culture are not confined to just galleries and museums – they come alive on our streets as well. With the strong support of our stakeholders, we believe the exciting line-up will inspire local pride in our heritage and culture, as well as enhance Singapore’s appeal as a vibrant arts and lifestyle destination.”

At Far East Plaza, shoppers may get more than they bargain for with a circus troupe from Cambodia, Phare, set to put up a jaw-dropping performance of high-energy acrobatics and hypnotic dance moves at the mall. The act is part of the Singapore Biennale 2019, which returns for its sixth edition this year.

The art-centric programming continues at Kampong Glam, where the back lanes of Muscat Street will transform into an art street with roving artists and performers, bazaar stalls, craft demonstrations and community activities. Elsewhere, visitors can catch a Chinese Opera performance on a wayang stage reminiscent of the olden days at Chinatown’s inaugural Chinese Opera Festival, or literally leave their mark on a large 2m by 6m painting at Little India’s social painting event, aimed at encouraging greater interaction among visitors and artists.

Those looking to venture further can join six art tours, which will run regularly for eight weekends across the city. For example, participants can learn how to paint from local artist Rico Ngim at his studio in a modern-day kampong or venture

offshore to for an immersive experience sketching the island’s natural landscape.

Some other event highlights are:

Make your own souvenirs at art workshops Retailers Naiise and Urban Market Singapore will be organising a series of workshops where participants can create and take home their own Singapore- inspired resin jewellery, clay earrings or watercolour Peranakan tiles, among other crafts.

Lepak in Kampong Glam Relax, or lepak in Malay, among colourful art installations of hammocks at GlamArt! – ColourPlay in Kampong Glam. The hammocks, which provide visitors with some respite in the day, transform into a fluorescent visual extravaganza at night. Go on a hunt for more standalone lepak installations to discover more about the cultural precinct.

Go on an eco-cultural tour and sample meatless bak kwa Embark on a walking trail in Chinatown at MINI ExtraOddinary and explore sustainability through a cultural lens. Have a taste of meatless bak kwa, browse leather accessories made from mushrooms and admire an urban farm that doubles up as an art sculpture.

Learn history through murals Go on a self-guided trail and discover new murals painted specially for the Katong Joo Chiat Art Circuit, with each mural telling a story about the precinct’s history.

Catch live roving performances in Little India Indian musical performances, both traditional and contemporary, will be roving around Little India as part of the Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest. The Centre has also planned an experiential trail around the precinct focusing on aspects of fashion food, craft and spice, to deepen visitors’ understanding of Little India’s heritage culture.

Please refer to Annex A for more information on all the arts and culture events taking place this November. Images of the events can be accessed here.

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For media queries, please contact: Melissa Lin Manager, Communications

Singapore Tourism Board Tel: +65 6831 3984 Email: [email protected]

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ANNEX A Arts and culture events in Singapore in November 2019 MARINA BAY/CIVIC DISTRICT

Singapore Biennale 2019: Every Step in the Right Direction, 22 Nov - 22 Mar 2020 Various locations, https://www.singaporebiennale.org Singapore’s pre-eminent platform for international dialogue in contemporary art exhibition features more than 70 artists and art collectives from around the world, and can be viewed at venues across Singapore, including National Gallery Singapore, , Asian Civilisations Museum and more.

Frieze Art & Architecture Summit Singapore, 22 Nov 2019 National Gallery Singapore, https://frieze.com/conferences/art-architecture-summit- singapore The final event of a three-part series as part of STB’s partnership with Frieze Academy, the one-day conference will feature eminent speakers in the art and architecture scene. Keynote speakers include Kulapat Yantrasast, Founding Partner and Creative Director of whY, and Richard Hassell, Founding Director of Singapore- based architecture firm, WOHA.

Affordable Art Fair, 22-24 Nov F1 Pit Building, https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/singapore Whether you’re an established connoisseur or taking your first foray into art collection, the Affordable Art Fair’s range of contemporary pieces are bound to evoke new emotions and broaden your artistic horizons.

Suddenly Turning Visible: Art and Architecture in Southeast Asia 1969-1989, 19 Nov - 15 Mar 2020 National Gallery Singapore, https://www.nationalgallery.sg/exhibitions/suddenly- turning-visible-art-architecture-southeast-asia-1969-to-1989 Delve into how art and architecture evolved in Southeast Asia through a tale of three cities, as well as dazzling showcases of artwork, dynamic performances and bold new works of creativity.

CHINATOWN

Chinatown Opera Festival, 20-24 Nov https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chinatown-opera-festival-2019-tickets-76419762567 Discover the rigour and beauty of traditional Chinese Opera, with Opera Festival’s walking tours and daily opera performances in dialects such as Teochew, Hokkien and Hainanese. Visitors will get a taste of the 19th century with traditional snacks and opera-themed merchandise.

MINI ExtraOddinary 2019, 22-24 Nov https://cp.mini.com.sg/extraoddinary/ Explore sustainability through the lens of culture in the heart of Chinatown. From unconventional building materials to foods of the future and other eco-conscious innovations, the exhibits and activities on the trail will give you a glimpse into our cities of tomorrow.

Day out at , 23 Nov https://www.eventbrite.sg/o/day-out-at-tanjong-pagar-an-architectural-heritage- season-2019-event-27506902851 Go beyond an appreciation of space, and discover how buildings can be a collection of stories, through walks, talks and clan open house visits, held in conjunction with the Architectural Heritage Season.

LITTLE INDIA

So Cantai Market, 23, 24, 30 Nov, 1 Dec Clive Street, https://www.theadmin.sg/so-cantai-market Take a stroll through a bustling, colourful art market set in a green space in Little India. Support passionate local artists or try out the informal workshops that centre on facets of Indian culture. Enjoy lively bhangra dance performances or rangoli making.

Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest, 23, 24, 30 Nov, 1 Dec Indian Heritage Centre, https://www.indianheritage.org.sg/en Art, history and fashion intertwine at the Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest, a two- week long celebration of the unique facets of Indian culture in Singapore. Revel in a range of colourful performances, scintillating workshops and guided trails.

Paint Little India!, 23, 24, 30 Nov, 1 Dec Clive Street, https://www.murallingo.com Discover a world brimming with colour and creativity at Paint Little India!, a four-day event that boasts storytelling workshops, a 2x6m long social mural painting and street art walking tours where words and images collide.

KAMPONG GLAM

GlamArt! – ColourPlay, 15-24 Nov 241 Beach Road, http://www.glamart.sg/ Vivid colours and the richness of our local culture come to life at this unforgettable event, with two weekends of art installations, performances and workshops taking place all across the neighbourhood.

Craft Walk @ Kampong Glam, 15-24 Nov Sewcial Pantry, https://craftwalk.squarespace.com/

Let stories illuminate your inspiration with Craft Walk at Kampong Glam, a journey into the district’s vibrant past. Create your own work of art after a guided tour of the neighbourhood, and discover how narratives connect us all.

Gelam Gallery Alive, 16, 17, 23, 24 Nov Muscat Street, https://www.theadmin.sg/gelam-gallery-alive Kick back and relax at this outdoor gallery in Kampong Glam. Gelam Gallery Alive celebrates art in all forms, whether it’s musical performances or live portrait drawings. Get to know some passionate creatives, and bring a piece of their work home with you.

Extra•Ordinary Creations: Living Cities, 7 Nov – 8 Dec PARKROYAL on Beach Road, http://extraordinarypeople.sg/extraordinary-creations/ Celebrate inclusivity at this art exhibition that engages with ideas of the urban environment and captures the pulse of city living. Featuring artworks by differently abled artists from Singapore and Hong Kong, come explore the notion of cities being living organisms and concepts built upon commonalities in experience.

KATONG/JOO CHIAT

Katong Joo Chiat Art Circuit, 16-24 Nov Katong Joo Chiat, https://www.theadmin.sg/katong-joochiat-art-circuit Whether you are looking to meet fellow art lovers or embark on an immersive solo foray, this self-guided tour will help you discover the stories this vibrant neighbourhood has to offer. In particular, check out the murals around the neighbourhood that focus on various facets of Katong Joo Chiat’s history.

Singapore Visitor Centre @ Kim Choo Kueh Chang (Katong Joo Chiat), 16, 17, 23, 24 Nov Rumah Kim Choo, https://www.kimchoo.com/ Tastes and tradition intermingle at the newly opened Visitor Centre, which is located in the colourful precinct of Katong Joo Chiat. Discover various facets of Peranakan culture with a range of delightful tastings, tours, cooking sessions and embroidery workshops.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Art In Your Own Home (AIYOH) by OH! Open House, 16, 17, 23, 24 Nov Various locations, https://ohopenhouse.org/Art-In-Your-Own-Home-AIYOH This programme pairs artists and homeowners, based on shared interests and lived experiences, to create art together. It aims to empower artists and citizens to tell their own stories and take creative ownership of their everyday spaces.

ART TOURS

Singapore Biennale Art Tour by Jane’s Tours 22 Nov 2019 – 17 Jan 2020 (Fridays only) Bugis district, 3 hours, $80 per pax, https://janestours.sg/upcomingtours Veteran tour guide Jane Lyer and her team will lead you on a foray that covers over a century of artwork, with insights into contemporary art history, modern art collections and the artwork of the Singapore Biennale.

Nostalgic Ubin Island Art Tour by My Art Space 15 Nov 2019 – 17 Jan 2020 (Fridays only) Pulau Ubin, 8.5 hours, $148 per pax, https://myartspace.com.sg/events/singapore-art- excursions Broaden your horizons and hone your skills with a paintbrush on the offshore sanctuary of Pulau Ubin, and transform the verdant beauty of the island’s natural landscapes into your very own masterpieces.

Wanderlust: Sketch and the City by Everyday Tour Company 15 Nov 2019 – 17 Jan 2020 (Fridays only) Chinatown and Kampong Glam, 3 hours, $68 per pax, https://www.everydaytourcompany.com/tour/sketch-and-the-city-tour-singapore- biennale-2019-special/ Embark on a guided tour that will have you channelling your inner artist, as you sketch the heritage buildings and iconic sights of Singapore with local artist Angie.

The Artist’s Metamorphosis by Royal Wings Travel 15-24 Nov (Sundays only) Ground-Up Initiative, 4 hours, $88 per pax, https://royalwingstravel.com.sg/tour?id=108 See Singapore through the lens of local artist Rico Ngim Kum Thong, as he guides you through a series of workshops, storytelling sessions and hands-on painting activities inspired by the life cycle of butterfly at his studio in a modern-day kampong.

Picturing Places: Uncovering Singapore’s History through Art by Culture Curious 16 Nov 2019 – 18 Jan 2020 (Saturdays only) Civic District and Chinatown, 3 hours, $62 per pax, https://culturecurious.biz/ Age-old stories and awe-inspiring artwork await you on this tour, which explores the neighbourhoods of Chinatown and the Civic District through public art, architecture and old photographs.

Singapore River Heritage Art Tour by My Art Space 16 Nov 2019 – 18 Jan 2020 (Saturdays only)

Marina Bay, , National Gallery Singapore, Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, 4.5 hours, $98 per pax, https://myartspace.com.sg/events/singapore-art- excursions Join local artists Uhky Uhky and Chankerk on a journey of discovery through art, as you paint the river that sustained Singapore through its centuries of evolution.

ART WORKSHOPS

Made in Singapore, Nov-Dec (Saturdays only) Naiise, Jewel Airport, https://naiise.com/collections/made-in-singapore- workshop Hone your sense of artistic expression and take home a piece of Singapore-inspired art. Paint, sculpt or embroider a local icon of food, art or architecture with this line-up of workshops and craft sessions.

Urban Market Singapore, Nov-Dec (Weekends only) Singapore Visitor Centre, Orchard Gateway@Emerald, https://urbanmarketsg.peatix.com/ Budding craftsmen and artisans will get to flex their creative muscles, as they sculpt local culinary delights, mold clay accessories and create tote bags with Singapore- inspired icons with Urban Market Singapore’s workshops.