20 April to 10 June 2012 Art Museum 20 April to 10 June 2012

Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real is an exhibition of works by Lee Wen, a multidisciplinary artist and one of Singapore’s most internationally recognised contemporary artists. His earliest known work, a book with texts and drawings entitled A Waking Dream (1981), preceded the manga generation of today. It also showed evidence of his inclination in using dreams, metaphor and myth-making to manifest a narrative of our perception of life and reality.

Best known for his Yellow Man series of works, Lee is also one of the pioneers of performance art in Singapore. Through various constructed personas, his works allow visitors an insight into the artist and provocateur, whose very being is motivated by a strong conviction of justice and idealism, with a persistence to stay true to the self in a highly structured world.

This exhibition presents key works spanning two-and-a-half decades alongside two new works. Lee will also perform ‘live’ during selected exhibition periods and talk about his experiences and development as an artist, covering subjects such as memories and myth-making.

Exhibition runs through 10 June 2012. 'LIVE' EVENTS The act of collaboration is a key aspect of Lee’s artistic practice. For the duration of the exhibition, Lee has planned a series of collaborative performances and dialogue sessions with other performance art practitioners, musicians and activists. Join him and his guests as they engage with various aspects of Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real.

R.O.O.M. (Random Offerings Of Music) In collaboration with Jordan Johari

A reconstructed installation piece by Lee, Songs of Sisyphus in the Key of Narcissus is a collaborative work that will incorporate a recording studio, where visitors can perform a piece of music spontaneously, or simply jam along with the ‘mountain’. In a series of Random Offerings Of Music (R.O.O.M.), visitors are invited to join Lee and his musical collaborator Jordan Johari in a 'live' jamming session.

O.O.P.S. (Offerings Of PerformanceS) In collaboration with Rubin Hashim, Angie Seah, Willis Turner, Chand Chandra Mohan, Elizabeth Lim, Reef, Kai Lam and Jason Lee

Lee has invited various local performance artists to either create a solo performance or take part in a collaborative performance with him.

D.I.A. (Dialogue with Independent Activists)

Lee will engage with independent activists in Singapore who in the course of their public interactions adopt creative approaches similar to some of the strategies used by artists. Join him and his guests as they seek to find out the overlaps and differences in their diverse fields of work.

'Live' Events Schedule

Thu, 19 Apr (Opening Night) Sun, 22 Apr From 7:40pm 4pm – 6pm ‘Live’ music performance by Lee Wen, Free with museum admission Jordan Rais, Rubin Deadfingers and R.O.O.M. with Jordan Johari friends Fri, 27 Apr O.O.P.S. with Jason Lim and Lee Wen 6pm – 7pm Almost Untitled: Lee Wen is Jason Lim, O.O.P.S. by Angie Seah and Lee Wen Jason Lim is Lee Wen in collaboration with Rubin Hashim Long-time friends and collaborators (Neo-Baba) Lee Wen and Jason Lim present a duet 7pm – 8pm where they attempt to re-interpret each R.O.O.M. with Jordan Johari other's known actions or materials used in past performances. Fri, 4 May publication 7:30pm – 8:30pm O.O.P.S. by Willis Turner, Chand Chandra Mohan, Elizabeth Lim and Reef Singapore Contemporary Fri, 11 May Artists Series Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in 7:30pm – 8:30pm the Reverie of the Real Exhibition catalogue presentation Singapore Contemporary Artists Series: O.O.P.S. by Kai Lam and Jason Lee Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of the Real is a richly illustrated Fri, 1 Jun publication that charts the wide 6pm – 7pm oeuvre of one of Singapore’s most D.I.A. with Balakrishnan Matchap, internationally recognised artists. founder of Yogis for the Environment, Many of Lee's iconic performances are documented in the publication Animals & Humanity, on alternative alongside rarely-seen installation works. life perspectives. Echoing the experimental and Fri, 8 Jun playful spirit of Lee’s practice, five 6pm – 7pm art writers have also collaborated to D.I.A. with Vanessa Ho, an activist produce a series of interconnecting, whose dialogue will include dialogic texts – a textual conversation that places the ‘body’ of the discussions about her work with multidisciplinary artist on the SlutWalk and ending rape culture, as examination table for scrutiny. well as with Project X, a sex workers' Additionally, exhibition curator, welfare initiative. Khairuddin Hori, contributes an essay that provides a context for All events, except for Opening Night Lee’s practice and development in and O.O.P.S. performances will be Singapore. held in the gallery space where the artwork Songs of Sisyphus in the Key of The Singapore Contemporary Artists Narcissus is located. Please look out Series focuses on documenting and for signages or check with the SAM providing critical commentary on the practices of significant contemporary Front Desk for O.O.P.S. venue on the artists from Singapore. Dedicated to day of event. enlarging discourse and scholarship on contemporary art, the series also All events are free unless otherwise serves as an accessible introduction to stated. the vibrant contemporary art scene in Singapore. Event details correct at time of print. Visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg for Singapore Contemporary Artists Series: updates. Lee Wen: Lucid Dreams in the Reverie of Lee will also make unscheduled the Real retails at $49.90 (inclusive of performances in the galleries during the GST) in SAM. It will be launched on exhibition. 11 May 2012. Programmes

Curator Tour

What happens to a performance Wed, 9 May | 7:30pm – 8:30pm art piece when it ends? Join SAM SAM senior curator, Khairuddin Hori, as $12 (includes admission to the he introduces Lee's multidisciplinary exhibition). Tickets available at SAM practice, through relics left behind and SISTIC. Limited spaces. For ticket from his previous performance works. availability at the door, please call SISTIC.

Performance Art Workshop: Lee Wen

Join Lee as he engages participants in Sat, 12 May | 2pm – 4pm a performance art workshop revolving Glass Hall, SAM around the works in the exhibition. $12 (includes admission to the exhibition). Tickets available at SAM and SISTIC. Limited spaces. For ticket availability at the door, please call SISTIC.

In Conversation: Lee Wen

SAM senior curator Khairuddin Hori Fri, 25 May | 7:30pm – 8:30pm talks to Lee to trace the journey of his Glass Hall, SAM artistic practice – from being one of Free admission. the pioneering members of The Artists Registration required. Please e-mail Village, to the exploration of identity [email protected]. throughout his works.

Activity Sheets and Educator’s Guide

Download activity sheets based on selected artworks in the exhibition for students and young adults from the SAM website. An educator’s guide is also available for parents and teachers who wish to find out more about the exhibition.

Cover image:Strange Fruit (detail), 2003, C-print photographs, 42 x 59.4 cm, Singapore Art Museum collection Inside cover image: Dream Boat (detail), 1998, performance with bathtub, candles, matches, spoon, raw meat, poster colour and newspaper at Werkleitz Biennale in Tornitz and Werkleitz, Germany. Image courtesy and copyright of Andrea Costas Otero. General Information

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